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The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) convened its annual summit in Tianjin, China, on August 31 and September 1, 2025, bringing together heads of state, senior officials, and representatives from across Eurasia.

The gathering was marked by calls for stronger coordination on security, economic development, and global governance, as well as renewed emphasis on building a multipolar international system.

The summit was attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and leaders from Central Asia, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Observer and partner states, including Mongolia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Belarus, also joined the discussions.

As host, China showcased its leadership in guiding the SCO’s direction. By combining calls for security cooperation with proposals on digital economy, green development, and financial independence, Beijing presented a vision of the SCO as both a security alliance and an economic platform. This dual role aligns with China’s broader foreign policy goal of promoting an alternative governance model rooted in sovereignty, equality, and multipolarity.

Joint statement of shared commitments

The summit concluded with the adoption of a joint statement that captured the SCO’s unified position on a range of issues. The declaration emphasized the principles of sovereignty, non-interference, multipolarity, and opposition to unilateral sanctions. The key points included:

• Counterterrorism and security: Members agreed to step up coordination against terrorism, separatism, and extremism, while expanding joint training, intelligence-sharing, and regional security drills.
• Economic and trade cooperation: The statement called for greater trade facilitation, removal of barriers, and expansion of investment opportunities within the bloc.
• Energy and sustainability: Leaders endorsed joint projects in oil, gas, renewable energy, and nuclear energy, while promoting sustainable development and green technology initiatives.
• Financial independence: The SCO supported increased use of local currencies in trade settlements, reducing reliance on external financial systems.
• Respect for sovereignty and non-interference: The declaration reaffirmed the principle that states must respect each other’s independence and reject attempts at imposing external models of governance.
• Global conflict resolution: The SCO urged peaceful settlement of disputes and voiced opposition to unilateral sanctions and coercive measures.
• Science, technology, and digital cooperation: Leaders backed expanded partnerships in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, e-commerce, and big data.
• Connectivity and infrastructure: The statement promoted enhanced cooperation on transportation networks, logistics hubs, and cross-border infrastructure projects to link Eurasian economies.
  
  

Xi Jinping calls for unity and a shared security vision

In his keynote address, Chinese President Xi Jinping underscored the SCO’s role in advancing stability, fairness, and justice at a time of global uncertainty. He urged members to strengthen political trust, reject external interference, and pursue joint security mechanisms against emerging threats. Xi emphasized the importance of safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity while jointly tackling terrorism, separatism, and extremism.

Xi called on SCO member states to stay true to the organization’s founding mission, and promote its sound and sustained development with greater resolve and more practical measures. He said, “SCO member states are all friends and partners,” and called them to respect their differences, maintain strategic communication, build up consensus, and strengthen solidarity and collaboration.

Xi also highlighted the necessity of adapting to new global realities by deepening cooperation in the digital economy, technological innovation, and green development. He reiterated China’s support for using local currencies in regional trade, thereby reducing dependence on external financial systems and fostering greater economic resilience within the SCO.

President Xi Jinping chaired the “Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus” Meeting and delivered a statement.

President Xi proposed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI).

🔸We should adhere to sovereign equality. We should promote greater democracy in international relations… pic.twitter.com/K3bhfDYsIu

— Mao Ning 毛宁 (@SpoxCHN_MaoNing) September 1, 2025

Russia emphasizes energy, connectivity, and multipolar balance

Russian President Vladimir Putin used his remarks to stress the centrality of the SCO in maintaining strategic balance and promoting an equitable global order. He focused on energy cooperation, advocating for greater joint projects in oil, gas, and renewable resources.

Putin also called for strengthened regional connectivity through infrastructure and logistics networks, arguing that Eurasian economic integration was essential for long-term stability.

Putin noted the need for coordinated approaches to sanctions and external economic pressures, pointing out that multipolarity could only be achieved if countries diversified trade and energy routes. He expressed support for deepening collaboration in security, particularly in counterterrorism and cybersecurity.

India focuses on counterterrorism and regional stability

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that terrorism remained a persistent threat to regional security and called on SCO members to intensify information-sharing, intelligence cooperation, and law enforcement collaboration. He also stressed the importance of maintaining regional peace and stability, particularly in Afghanistan, which continues to face political uncertainty and security challenges.

Modi supported initiatives on digital governance, technology partnerships, and the use of local currencies in trade, though he cautioned that such transitions should be gradual and balanced. His intervention reflected India’s cautious but steady engagement within the SCO framework.

Turkiye’s role as a bridge between Asia and Europe

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan highlighted Turkiye’s position as a dialogue partner of the SCO and underscored Ankara’s ambition to deepen its ties with Eurasia.

Erdogan spoke of Turkiye’s growing energy and trade relations with SCO countries and advocated for greater cooperation on transportation corridors linking Asia and Europe. Erdogan also stressed the need for cultural and educational exchanges to strengthen people-to-people ties across the region.

The Turkish president met Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the summit, where he reiterated Ankara’s commitment to facilitating a fair and lasting resolution to the war in Ukraine. Erdogan highlighted that talks previously hosted in Istanbul had made meaningful contributions to peace efforts.

According to the Turkish presidency, the two leaders also addressed a wide range of regional issues, including bilateral relations, ongoing peace negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the humanitarian crisis stemming from Israel’s attacks on Gaza, and developments in Syria.

The meeting underscored Turkiye’s role as a mediator and regional actor balancing diplomatic ties across Eurasia and the Middle East, while maintaining dialogue with both Russia and Western partners. The discussions reflected Ankara’s push to position itself as a constructive bridge in conflict resolution and regional stability efforts.

Turkish President Erdogan also held a separate meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit and discussed bilateral relations and coordinated responses to regional crises, including Israel’s actions in Gaza and Syria’s territorial integrity.

Bilateral meetings at the sidelines

On the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, a series of bilateral meetings underscored the diverse priorities and longstanding ties among member states.

One of the most closely watched encounters took place between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The meeting began with warm gestures, as Putin addressed Modi as his “dear friend” and later offered him a ride in his armored Aurus limousine.

The two leaders reaffirmed the “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” between India and Russia, emphasizing that their cooperation extended across trade, energy, fertilizers, space, security, and culture. Modi said the friendship had endured even in difficult times and was a pillar of regional and global stability. He welcomed peace efforts aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, adding that India remained committed to dialogue and diplomacy.

Chinese President Xi Jinping also held a significant bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi, marking the 75th anniversary of China-India diplomatic ties. Xi emphasized that the “dragon and the elephant” should dance together, urging both sides to focus on cooperation instead of rivalry.

Xi proposed four priorities: strengthening strategic communication, expanding exchanges and economic collaboration, addressing mutual concerns, including border stability, and enhancing multilateral coordination to safeguard shared interests. Xi framed the relationship as vital for the Global South and global governance, highlighting the two countries’ responsibility in shaping a multipolar world.

Another key development was the first bilateral meeting between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Pakistan, which formally marked the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. This milestone represents a notable shift, as Yerevan and Islamabad had previously maintained no official diplomatic ties despite shared regional interests.

The meeting signals both sides’ willingness to explore new avenues of cooperation in political, economic, and multilateral forums. For Pakistan, strengthening ties with Armenia offers an additional channel of engagement in the South Caucasus, while Armenia views the step as an opportunity to diversify its diplomatic partnerships beyond its traditional allies.

Today, 🇦🇲FM @AraratMirzoyan & 🇵🇰Deputy PM & FM @MIshaqDar50 signed a Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic relations between #Armenia & #Pakistan.

By signing of the Communiqué, Armenia & Pakistan establish diplomatic relations. The two Governments are desirous to… pic.twitter.com/92hDFJg6yk

— MFA of Armenia🇦🇲 (@MFAofArmenia) August 31, 2025

Plenary discussions on Afghanistan, security, and technology

During closed-door sessions, leaders discussed the evolving situation in Afghanistan, stressing the importance of preventing the country from becoming a haven for terrorism. Members agreed to increase coordination with Afghan authorities where possible, while also providing humanitarian assistance to support stability.

Another major theme of the summit was digital transformation. China introduced proposals for strengthening SCO cooperation in artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud computing, highlighting the role of technology in shaping future economic and security landscapes. Russia and Kazakhstan voiced support, while India and Pakistan also called for safeguards to ensure responsible digital governance.

Implications for the global order

The Tianjin summit reinforced the SCO’s ambition to serve as a platform for promoting multipolarity and resisting unilateralism. With its combined population of over 3 billion and its growing influence in energy, trade, and security affairs, the SCO has positioned itself as a counterweight to Western-led institutions.

The emphasis on local currencies, energy cooperation, and infrastructure development reflects the bloc’s determination to reduce external vulnerabilities and increase strategic autonomy. At the same time, the reaffirmation of counterterrorism and security cooperation highlights a shared recognition of common threats that transcend national borders.

Outlook for the coming year

Looking ahead, the SCO faces the task of translating summit commitments into practical outcomes. The adoption of local currencies in trade, expansion of joint energy projects, and advancement of digital cooperation are expected to dominate the agenda. Security concerns, particularly terrorism and instability in Afghanistan, will also remain at the forefront of SCO priorities.

The Tianjin summit demonstrated that the SCO is not only consolidating its role as a regional organization but also asserting itself as an influential voice in shaping the future of global governance. By aligning around shared principles and rejecting external interference, member states signaled their determination to strengthen Eurasian cooperation and contribute to building a more balanced international order.