In the lead-up to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, several analysts have stressed that although the expansion of the bloc will remain an essential priority, the larger significance of the event lies in its symbolic value for Chinese President Xi Jinping. They believe Xi is seeking to demonstrate to the United States how a shifting international order is taking shape, one that moves away from traditional American dominance. Against the backdrop of the ongoing trade war and deepening rifts between the United States and the BRICS nations, tensions are expected to escalate further as Xi prepares to host Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and a wide range of leaders from Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia at the high-profile gathering.
According to experts, the summit not only highlights China’s ambition to expand the SCO’s membership but also underscores Beijing’s intention to project a vision of a post-American-led global order. Eric Olander, editor-in-chief of The China-Global South Project, explained that Xi is eager to use this occasion to signal that Washington’s attempts to isolate China, Iran, Russia, and even India since early this year have largely fallen short. By showcasing multilateral unity, China hopes to counterbalance American policies and display its role as a central actor in a rapidly emerging multipolar world.
The event, scheduled to take place in Tianjin, China, from August 31 to September 1, is being framed as more than a regional meeting. Instead, it is seen as a strategic demonstration of solidarity among nations dissatisfied with U.S. foreign policy. Experts have noted that the cooperative efforts of platforms such as BRICS and the SCO have already unsettled the U.S. administration, with Olander emphasizing that recent diplomatic and economic engagements among these countries have “rattled Donald Trump.” The summit, therefore, is expected to solidify these alternative alliances, providing them with greater visibility on the global stage.
Over the years, the SCO has grown considerably, now encompassing 10 permanent members and 16 observer states. This expansion reflects the increasing relevance of such platforms for regional as well as global cooperation. However, analysts caution that while its membership base continues to widen, the SCO still faces difficulties in translating its vision into tangible policy outcomes. Manoj Kewalramani from the Takshashila Institution noted that the bloc’s objectives remain somewhat unclear and its implementation strategies often lack coherence.
Nevertheless, the SCO continues to play a pivotal role in presenting a united front against U.S. dominance. The summit provides a space for member nations to align their collective interests and pursue strategic cooperation in areas where they share common ground. For India in particular, this year’s meeting carries added significance, as it offers an opportunity to reset relations with China following prolonged border tensions. Analysts believe New Delhi may choose to set aside its grievances to maintain diplomatic momentum with Beijing.
Reports suggest that India and China could announce confidence-building measures at the summit, including troop withdrawals from disputed border regions and the relaxation of trade and visa restrictions. Such agreements would represent a meaningful step toward normalizing ties, creating room for broader collaboration in areas like environmental protection and climate change. Yet, experts also highlight that the SCO has limited capacity to resolve deeply rooted security challenges, as its institutional framework is not designed to handle such complexities.
This year’s summit is expected to be the largest since the SCO was first established in 2001, signaling its increasing weight in global affairs. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson described the SCO as an “important force in building a new type of international relations,” underlining Beijing’s ambition to position the bloc as a cornerstone of an evolving world order. The gathering thus serves both practical and symbolic purposes, reinforcing regional cooperation while simultaneously projecting an alternative to U.S.-led structures of power.
