BRUSSELS — Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin will gather in Baku, Azerbaijan, this week for a two‑day Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit that promises to be a focal point for shaping a multipolar global order. Organisers say the gathering, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, will bring together leaders from the 13 member states for discussions on trade, security and cultural exchange, while also providing a platform for high‑level bilateral meetings among the three major powers. The summit’s agenda reflects a concerted push by the SCO to deepen economic integration, expand infrastructure projects and present an alternative framework for multilateral engagement at a time of shifting alliances worldwide.
What happened
The SCO summit marks its first in‑person gathering of heads of state in 2026, with Baku serving as host despite being a non‑permanent member. According to the SCO secretariat, the summit will feature plenary sessions on enhancing connectivity, joint investment initiatives and regional security cooperation. In addition to the main programme, Xi, Modi and Putin are expected to hold separate bilateral meetings on the sidelines, addressing issues ranging from border disputes to energy collaboration. The summit’s schedule also includes workshops on digital trade, energy transit and cultural diplomacy, reflecting the organisation’s expanding remit beyond its original security focus.
Why it matters
The meeting arrives at a pivotal moment in international relations. The United States, under the Trump administration, has pursued a more unilateral foreign‑policy stance, prompting many nations to explore alternative multilateral channels. The SCO positions itself as a counterweight, offering a platform where major powers can coordinate on economic development and security without Western oversight. Analysts note that the summit’s outcomes could influence the trajectory of global governance, especially as the organisation seeks to reduce trade barriers and promote infrastructure projects that link Europe, Central Asia and South Asia. The presence of Xi, Modi and Putin also signals a rare convergence of three of the world’s most influential leaders, raising the stakes for any joint declarations on trade, energy or security.
Analysis:
The summit’s emphasis on connectivity projects aligns with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which seeks to expand its economic footprint across Eurasia. For India, participation offers an opportunity to balance its strategic concerns with China while gaining access to new markets and energy supplies. Russia, meanwhile, aims to reinforce its role as a key security provider in Central Asia and to circumvent Western sanctions through increased regional cooperation. The convergence of these interests suggests that the summit could produce concrete agreements on infrastructure, energy transit and digital trade, though the extent of such commitments remains uncertain.
Background and context
Founded in 2001 by China, Russia and several Central Asian republics, the SCO has evolved from a primarily security alliance into a broader economic and political bloc. India joined in 2016, followed by Pakistan in 2017, expanding the organisation’s geographic reach from Eastern Europe to South Asia. Over the past decade, the SCO has prioritised economic development, launching initiatives aimed at reducing trade barriers, promoting energy cooperation and facilitating cross‑border infrastructure projects. Recent years have seen increased focus on digital trade, climate‑resilient infrastructure and cultural exchanges, reflecting a broader vision of regional integration.
The backdrop to this summit includes ongoing diplomatic efforts to manage Sino‑Indian border tensions, which have simmered since a 2020 clash in the Himalayas. Recent high‑level talks between the two nations have hinted at a willingness to stabilise the frontier, a development that could be reinforced by the summit’s emphasis on regional security. Meanwhile, Central Asian nations continue to navigate complex security challenges, including the spillover effects of regional conflicts and the need for coordinated counter‑terrorism measures. Azerbaijan’s role as host underscores its ambition to position itself as a bridge between Europe and Asia, leveraging the summit to promote its energy transit corridors and transport links.
What to watch next
Observers will be closely monitoring three key areas of the summit’s outcome. First, any joint declarations on infrastructure and investment could signal a new wave of large‑scale projects, potentially involving Chinese financing, Indian engineering expertise and Russian security guarantees. Second, the nature of the bilateral meetings between Xi, Modi and Putin will be scrutinized for progress on border stabilisation and energy cooperation, especially given the strategic importance of the India‑China border and the energy needs of both countries. Third, the final communiqué is expected to outline commitments to mutual trade and cooperation, offering a snapshot of the SCO’s evolving agenda and its capacity to deliver tangible results.
Analysis:
The summit’s success will likely be measured by the specificity of its deliverables rather than the breadth of its statements. While the SCO has historically produced broad‑brush declarations, recent years have seen a shift toward more concrete economic initiatives, driven in part by the financial pressures faced by member states. If the summit yields detailed agreements on connectivity projects or joint investment funds, it could mark a turning point for the organisation’s credibility as an economic bloc. Conversely, a lack of substantive outcomes may reinforce perceptions that the SCO remains primarily a security forum with limited economic impact.
Conclusion
The SCO summit in Baku brings together three of the world’s most influential leaders at a time of profound geopolitical change. While the gathering is framed as an opportunity to deepen economic ties and promote a multipolar vision, its real significance will depend on whether the participating nations can translate rhetoric into concrete cooperation. The summit’s agenda—spanning trade, security, infrastructure and cultural exchange—reflects the SCO’s ambition to become a comprehensive platform for regional integration. As the world watches, the outcomes of this meeting will provide an early indicator of how the SCO intends to navigate the challenges of a shifting global order and whether it can deliver on its promise of an alternative multilateral framework.
Sources
Al Jazeera News: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/31/xi-modi-and-putin-set-to-meet-for-sco-summit-whats-on-the-agenda
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Story synopsis gathered from: Al Jazeera News — source
