Xi and Putin Meet in Bishkek as SCO Turns 25—Can the Bloc Move Beyond Words?
A summit marking the 25th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) opened in Kyrgyzstan, bringing together leaders from China, Russia, and Central Asian states for talks focused on security and trade.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a political and security alliance led by China and Russia, convened in Bishkek this week for its annual summit, marking the bloc’s 25th anniversary. Chinese President Xi Jinping is attending in person, with a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed on the sidelines to discuss energy cooperation, including the Power of Siberia 2 natural gas pipeline project [230494][230519]. The summit comes as the bloc faces internal divisions over the Middle East crisis, with Iran—a full member since 2023—pushing for a joint statement condemning Israeli strikes, a move resisted by India and others fearing Western backlash [231421]. Analysts say the key question is whether the increasingly diverse group can move beyond diplomatic statements, especially as Washington shifts its strategic attention elsewhere and energy and grain supply disruptions continue to unsettle the region [231450]. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is also scheduled to attend and speak at the expanded-format session [231163]. The summit is expected to end with a general declaration, though no specific resolution on Iran is anticipated, revealing the limits of the bloc’s influence [231421].