New Delhi — During a virtual summit hosted by India, Chinese President Xi Jinping called on the leaders of Russia, Iran, and other allied nations to strengthen ties and resist Western sanctions. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) includes countries like Russia, China, India, Iran, and several Central Asian nations. The bloc’s leaders discussed key issues, demonstrating unity and solidarity. Here are some highlights from the summit:
Putin expresses gratitude for support during “rebellion”
Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked his SCO partners for their support during a failed mutiny by the leader of the Wagner mercenary group. Putin emphasized Russia’s resilience against external pressure and appreciated the solidarity shown by the SCO nations during the rebellion.
China and Russia have strengthened their economic cooperation and diplomatic relations in recent years, particularly since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
China emphasizes the importance of common security
Chinese President Xi called for efforts to safeguard regional peace and enhance solidarity among SCO member states. Although China claims neutrality in the Ukraine conflict, Western nations have criticized its refusal to condemn Russia’s offensive. Xi stressed the need to oppose external forces that may create confrontation in the region and interfere in internal affairs.
Iran strengthens unity as a new member
Iran’s full membership in the SCO aims to enhance collective security, expand ties, and strengthen unity. This development raises concerns among Western critics who perceive an anti-Western orientation in the alliance. However, experts affirm that the SCO is not inherently anti-Western and emphasize the independent nature of any potential anti-Western axis.
Security concerns about Afghanistan
Indian and Pakistani leaders highlighted Afghanistan as a key concern. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned about the risk of Afghanistan becoming a base for spreading instability, while his Pakistani counterpart, Shehbaz Sharif, called for a reset in international engagement with the Taliban rulers. Since the Taliban’s takeover, Afghanistan has witnessed a rollback of women’s rights and faces isolation from the international community.
India, as a member of both the SCO and “The Quad” (a cooperative group involving the United States, Japan, and Australia), faces a diplomatic balancing act. While India has strengthened ties with the US, Russia remains its largest arms supplier. India’s participation in the SCO does not imply an inherent anti-Western stance but rather reflects its diverse diplomatic approach.
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