Xi Jinping Welcomes Putin and Modi for Summit

China – Russia – India – (Special Correspondent / Web Desk) – President Xi Jinping is preparing to welcome over 20 world leaders next week at a major security forum in China. The event aims to display strong Global South unity in today’s uncertain world and give sanctions-hit Russia another diplomatic boost.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will be among the key guests, along with leaders from Central Asia, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit will take place in the northern port city of Tianjin from August 31 to September 1.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit China for the first time in over seven years. This visit comes as India and China continue to ease tensions after deadly border clashes in 2020. Modi last appeared alongside Xi and Putin at last year’s BRICS summit in Russia, even as Western nations avoided Moscow amid the Ukraine conflict.

Russian officials in New Delhi recently shared that Moscow hopes for trilateral talks with India and China soon. Experts believe Xi will use this summit to show a world order that does not depend on U.S. leadership. Analysts also say the meeting reflects how BRICS and other alliances are challenging American influence globally.

This year’s summit is expected to be the largest since the SCO was established in 2001. The bloc, which started with six countries, now includes 10 full members and 16 dialogue or observer states. Initially focused on security and counter-terrorism, it now covers economic cooperation, trade, and defense partnerships.

Many countries attending the event are looking forward to SCO expansion, but experts say its results on real security issues remain limited. For China, the meeting is more about optics and showing the strength of Global South cooperation, especially during a time of global uncertainty.

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Tensions among some members still exist. In June, the SCO defense ministers’ meeting failed to issue a joint statement after India objected to certain points. India also refused to support the SCO’s condemnation of Israeli attacks on Iran earlier this year.

Despite these frictions, the recent thaw between India and China and growing trade challenges from the U.S. could push both nations toward cooperation. Analysts expect small steps like troop withdrawals, relaxed trade restrictions, and collaboration in new areas such as climate change and cultural exchange.

The SCO summit may not bring big policy announcements, but its symbolism is strong. For many Global South nations, it represents a voice in shaping the future international order. After the summit, Modi will return to India, while Putin will remain in China for a World War Two military parade, marking an unusually long visit outside Russia.