Xi, Putin hold talks ahead of Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit

Kyrgyzstan is hosting the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, drawing the attendance of several heads of state, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. During the meeting, President Pezeshkian held bilateral talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, underscoring the event’s diplomatic significance.

The gathering marks the SCO’s 25th anniversary, a milestone the organization uses to highlight its expanding trade relationships among member nations. Over the past quarter‑century, the bloc has pursued deeper economic integration and positioned itself as a strategic counterweight to the United States‑led global order, promoting alternative frameworks for security and development.

As the summit concludes, officials emphasized continued cooperation and the intention to build on the anniversary’s momentum. The outcomes are expected to shape the SCO’s role in regional affairs and its broader influence on international economic and political dynamics.