US Absent as India, Russia, and China Discuss Shaping a New World Order at SCO Summit in China

Leaders from three of the globe’s largest countries will convene for a Eurasian summit in China this weekend, with the absence of American counterpart President Donald Trump being conspicuous. The 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin will see attendance from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, alongside other heads of state.

The US-China tensions, however, are unlikely to escape discussion, as Trump’s policies and tariffs are expected to be a topic of conversation. Notably, Indian Prime Minister Modi will arrive in Tianjin following the imposition of a 50% tariff by the Trump Administration on Indian goods – one of the highest among current tariffs.

This unexpectedly tough approach from the US represents a significant shift in decades of cultivating India as a democratic counterweight to China, according to Sushant Singh, lecturer in South Asian Studies at Yale University. The tariffs have reportedly pushed Modi towards making concessions towards China and strengthening ties with Xi Jinping.

Relations between the two Asian giants, which had been strained since 2020 due to border disputes, are showing signs of improvement. Both countries have recently started re-issuing tourist visas for each other’s citizens and intend to resume direct flights cancelled during the Covid-19 pandemic.

This summit will mark Prime Minister Modi’s first visit to China since 2018. The leaders will also engage in discussions regarding geopolitical matters, with China presenting itself as a stable alternative to the US.

Meanwhile, Russian President Putin is scheduled to arrive in China amid ongoing missile attacks on Ukraine. He will participate in the Tianjin summit and attend a military parade in Beijing alongside Xi Jinping and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un on September 3. This event sets the stage for a show of unity between the three powers.

The strengthening bond between Russia and China, fueled by their shared perception of the US as a threat, is unlikely to be affected by Trump’s on-again, off-again overtures towards Putin. The relationship between these two nations has deepened in recent years due to increased cross-border trade and security cooperation.

China, currently grappling with its own economic struggles, and Russia, facing international isolation triggered by its invasion of Ukraine, find solace in their partnership. This alliance, which presents China as the senior partner, offers a lifeline for Moscow.

In light of President Trump’s volatile foreign policy, China is expected to use this opportunity at the SCO summit to demonstrate its position as a reliable and predictable leader. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization, despite its structural flaws, may present an appealing alternative to nations concerned about the US and its unpredictable stance on the world stage.