Putin and Xi to attend virtual SCO summit hosted by India's Modi

Leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) are gearing up for a significant online summit hosted by India, where the primary objective is to expand the Eurasian group's influence. 

The participation of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin adds immense weight to this virtual gathering, which will mark Putin's first appearance at an international event since quashing a mutiny by the Wagner mercenary group in late June. 

The summit, scheduled to take place on Tuesday, will discuss crucial matters such as the inclusion of Iran as a member and the path to membership for Belarus, while also addressing key issues of regional security, terrorism, climate change, and digital inclusion.

Amidst a delicate geopolitical landscape, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's diplomatic acumen has been put to the test. Having recently completed a state visit to the United States, where he was hailed as one of their closest partners, Modi now assumes the presidency of both the SCO and the G20. The timing of the SCO summit is significant, considering the strained relations between western nations and the Russia-China partnership due to Moscow's actions in Ukraine and Beijing's assertive presence in global affairs.

During a recent conversation between Putin and Modi, the Indian Prime Minister reiterated his stance on resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy, specifically regarding the war in Ukraine. Last year, on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Uzbekistan, Modi conveyed a powerful message to Putin, emphasising that war has no place in the modern era.

"This summit holds great significance as it brings together leaders from diverse nations to discuss issues that shape our collective future. We believe in constructive dialogue and cooperation, and this platform provides an excellent opportunity to foster understanding and address pressing challenges," stated Prime Minister Modi in anticipation of the virtual summit.

The SCO virtual summit also marks a significant moment as it reunites Modi and Xi on the virtual stage since their last encounter at the G20 summit in Indonesia. This meeting comes after a period of frosty relations between the two Asian giants, primarily due to the ongoing standoff along their Himalayan frontier. Additionally, the summit presents an opportunity for Modi to engage with his Pakistani counterpart, Shehbaz Sharif, after ten months since their attendance at the previous SCO summit in Uzbekistan.

As India hands over the presidency of the SCO to Kazakhstan at this summit, discussions are expected to revolve around crucial issues like Afghanistan, terrorism, regional security, climate change, and digital inclusion. This gathering of influential leaders will likely shape the direction of Eurasian politics and security dynamics for the foreseeable future, as the SCO continues its quest to counter western influence in the region.