Xi and Putin Launch SCO Summit in Kazakhstan as Belarus Prepares to Join
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are currently in Kazakhstan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, where the admission of Belarus as a new member is on the agenda. This expansion of the Eurasian country club is part of a larger effort by Beijing and Moscow to strengthen the organization as a counterweight to Western institutions in the U.S.-led world order.
The annual SCO leaders summit in Astana will provide a platform for Putin to demonstrate that Russia is not isolated on the international stage, especially as its war in Ukraine continues. The leaders will also focus on improving coordination for counterterrorism efforts in the region, addressing the security situation in Afghanistan, and discussing a new investment fund proposed by Kazakhstan.
The SCO, founded in 2001 with six members, has evolved over the years to include new countries like India, Pakistan, and Iran. The organization has largely been shaped by the relationship between China and Russia, with the two countries now actively using the SCO as a means of cooperation and promoting their anti-U.S. worldview.
While some experts believe that the SCO lacks a clear mandate and substantive results, it remains an important diplomatic forum for regional leaders to engage with Xi and Putin. The absence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at this year’s summit highlights India’s waning interest in the organization, potentially affecting China’s future plans for the SCO.
Overall, the SCO continues to grow in international visibility and geopolitical weight, with leaders from various countries attending the summit to discuss regional security, economic development, and mutual cooperation. The meeting between Xi and Putin, as well as the addition of Belarus as a member, underscore the organization’s evolving role in shaping Eurasian security and diplomacy.
