New Delhi: The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, held from August 31 to September 1, 2025, in Tianjin, China, has ignited a firestorm of debate in the United States, with bipartisan figures expressing shock and dismay over Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s high-profile attendance alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The summit, hosted by China, underscored shifting geopolitical alliances, driven partly by U.S. President Donald Trump’s 50 percent tariffs on Indian goods, pushing New Delhi toward closer ties with Beijing and Moscow.
SCO Summit 2025
A Summit of Symbolism and Strategy
The SCO summit, a major diplomatic event for China, brought together leaders from member states representing 43 percent of the world’s population and 23 percent of the global economy. Visuals of Modi alongside Putin and Xi dominated global media, with images of Modi and Putin riding in the same car and holding hands while walking symbolizing a perceived closeness that alarmed American policymakers. The event, marking Modi’s first visit to China in seven years, highlighted discussions on security, connectivity, and opportunities amid a turbulent global landscape.
China’s Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Bin described the summit as “one of China’s most important head-of-state and home-court diplomatic events this year.” Attendees included leaders from SCO member states: Modi (India), Putin (Russia), Masoud Pezeshkian (Iran), Shehbaz Sharif (Pakistan), Alexander Lukashenko (Belarus), Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (Kazakhstan), Shavkat Mirziyoyev (Uzbekistan), Sadyr Japarov (Kyrgyzstan), and Emomali Rahmon (Tajikistan). Other notable attendees were Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Turkiye), Min Aung Hlaing (Myanmar), K P Sharma Oli (Nepal), Prabowo Subianto (Indonesia), Anwar Ibrahim (Malaysia), Mohamed Muizzu (Maldives), UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn.
U.S. Reactions: Bipartisan Shock and Criticism
In the U.S., the summit triggered strong reactions across the political spectrum. White House trade adviser Peter Navarro expressed dismay, stating, “It was a shame to see Modi getting in bed, as a leader of the biggest democracy in the world, with the two biggest authoritarians in the world in Putin and Xi Jinping. That doesn’t make any sense.” He questioned Modi’s alignment given India’s decades-long tensions with China, urging India to side with the U.S., Europe, and Ukraine over Russia.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent dismissed the SCO gathering as “performative,” arguing, “India is the most populous democracy in the world. Their values are much closer to ours and to China’s than to Russia’s.” Both Navarro and Bessent have recently criticized India’s continued purchases of Russian energy, a point of contention amid U.S. sanctions.
President Trump himself took to Truth Social, slamming India for its “totally one-sided relationship with America.” Critics of Trump’s foreign policy, particularly his tariffs on India, argued they forced New Delhi into a rapprochement with China. California Governor Gavin Newsom, a potential 2028 presidential candidate, posted a video on X of Modi shaking hands with Xi and Putin, blaming Trump for the diplomatic setback. Former National Security Adviser John Bolton echoed this, attributing India’s shift to Trump’s tariffs and his claim of credit for the May 2025 India-Pakistan ceasefire. Bolton called the situation “a lot of bad news here and very little good news.”
Former U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns labeled Washington’s approach an “own goal” on X. Even Trump-aligned commentator Jason Calcanis criticized the policy, stating, “The downside of President Trump’s over-aggressive, and far too often insulting, tariff policy, is that we’re driving an important ally like India into the arms of dictators and despots.” American media focused heavily on Modi’s rapport with Putin, amplifying concerns about U.S.-India relations hitting a new low despite past Trump-Modi camaraderie.
Modi’s Address: A Strong Stance on Terrorism
In his address at the SCO plenary session, chaired by Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Modi took a firm stand against terrorism, questioning the “open support” of terrorism by some countries. He specifically referenced the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians, stating, “India has been bearing the brunt of ruthless terrorism for the last four decades and saw its disgusting face in Pahalgam.” Modi called for unanimous action, declaring, “We must clearly and unanimously state that no double standards on terrorism will be acceptable. We must jointly oppose terrorism in all its forms and colours. This is our duty towards humanity.”
Modi emphasized terrorism as a global challenge, not just India’s, and thanked SCO members for their solidarity post-Pahalgam. He highlighted India’s leadership against terror outfits like Al-Qaeda and its opposition to terror financing, noting the attack was an “open challenge to countries, people believing in humanity.” His remarks, made in the presence of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, appeared to target Pakistan, which India accuses of sponsoring the attack. India presented evidence, launched Operations Sindoor and Mahadev in retaliation, downgraded diplomatic ties, and suspended the Indus Waters Treaty.
Modi outlined India’s SCO vision as rooted in “Security, connectivity, and opportunity,” positioning the bloc as a platform for confidence-building, economic ties, and peace amid global turbulence. He welcomed new SCO centers to combat organized crime, drug trafficking, and cyber security, advocating similar reforms for multilateral institutions like the UN. Modi also promoted connectivity projects like Chabahar Port in Iran and the International North-South Transport Corridor to enhance links with Afghanistan and Central Asia. He thanked Xi for his hospitality, congratulated him on the summit’s success, and wished Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov well for the next SCO presidency.
SCO’s History and Geopolitical Context
The SCO, originating as the “Shanghai Five” in 1996 to resolve post-Cold War border disputes, evolved into a broader security and economic bloc in 2001 with Uzbekistan’s inclusion, headquartered in Beijing. It expanded to include India and Pakistan in 2017, Iran in 2023, and Belarus in 2024, with dialogue partners like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkiye. Experts like Alejandro Reyes from the University of Hong Kong note the SCO’s unclear identity amid rising multilateralism, paralleling BRICS. Manoj Kewalramani from Takshashila Institution sees it seeking “indivisible security,” contrasting NATO’s bloc-based approach and advocating spheres of influence.
The 2025 summit gains significance amid Russia’s war in Ukraine, Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank, South Asian tensions, and Trump’s global trade war. Analysts expect China and Russia to push multipolarity and multilateralism against U.S. unilateralism. China’s hosting, followed by a September 3 military parade in Beijing attended by leaders like Putin, Lukashenko, Subianto, and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, amplifies its role as a bridge-builder while the U.S. “burns bridges.”
Divisions and Challenges Within SCO
The SCO struggles with consensus on key issues. Russia aligns most members on Ukraine, but India balances peace efforts with record Russian oil imports. Ukraine urged SCO members to condemn Russia’s aggression. On Gaza, the SCO condemned Israel’s attack on Iran, but India, with strong Israel ties, abstained. India-Pakistan tensions persist, with India blaming Pakistan for cross-border terrorism, including Pahalgam, and demanding condemnation, which the SCO’s consensus-based decisions blocked.
Kewalramani notes diverse member motivations—Central Asian states prioritize security and China trade, while India focuses on terrorism. Reyes sees the summit’s symbolism outweighing concrete deliverables, serving as a Global South platform for Russia-China leadership in Eurasia.
Implications for U.S.-India Relations
Trump’s criticism of Global South organizations like BRICS as “anti-American” extends to the SCO, with threats of targeted tariffs. The summit sets the stage for India’s hosting of the Quad Summit later in 2025, involving the U.S., Japan, and Australia to counter China. The U.S. is closely watching India-China interactions, especially as both nations resolve bilateral tensions. Kewalramani cautions against viewing U.S.-India ties as broken, noting their maturity, but urges the U.S. to learn from SCO dynamics on trade and geopolitics.
Modi’s Diplomacy: Camaraderie and Bilateral Talks
Modi’s interactions with Putin and Xi were a focal point. He shared on X, “Always a delight to meet President Putin!” and posted pictures of their warm greetings and hand-in-hand walk. With Xi, Modi held bilateral talks, welcoming “positive momentum and steady progress in bilateral relations” since their October 2024 BRICS meeting in Kazan. They affirmed India and China as “development partners, not rivals,” emphasizing “mutual respect, mutual interest, and mutual sensitivity” for a multipolar Asia and world. Modi also met Putin post-summit, traveling together for talks.
Modi invited SCO leaders to join India’s “Reform, Perform and Transform” growth story, positioning India as a development partner. He concluded, “The SCO can be a guide for multilateralism and an inclusive world order,” expressing optimism for future collaboration.
Conclusion: A Multipolar Moment
The 2025 SCO summit underscores a shifting global order, with India’s strategic pivot alarming the U.S. while bolstering China’s leadership in the Global South. Modi’s firm stance on terrorism, focus on connectivity, and call for multilateral reforms highlight the SCO’s evolving role. As the U.S. grapples with its tariff-driven fallout, the summit signals a multipolar world where alliances are redefined, watched closely by global powers.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What was the significance of the 2025 SCO Summit in Tianjin, China?
The 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, held in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, was a pivotal event highlighting shifting global alliances. Hosted by China, it drew over 20 world leaders, including India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, and China’s Xi Jinping. The summit focused on security, connectivity, and economic opportunities, with Modi emphasizing a strong stance against terrorism, particularly after the April 22 Pahalgam attack. Amid U.S. President Donald Trump’s 50 percent tariffs on Indian goods, the event underscored India’s rapprochement with China and Russia, raising alarm in the U.S. about New Delhi’s strategic pivot.
2. Why did the U.S. express alarm over India’s participation in the SCO Summit?
U.S. leaders, including White House trade adviser Peter Navarro and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, expressed shock at Modi’s attendance alongside Putin and Xi, viewing it as India aligning with authoritarian regimes. Critics like California Governor Gavin Newsom and former National Security Adviser John Bolton blamed Trump’s tariffs and foreign policy missteps for pushing India toward Beijing and Moscow. The U.S. media highlighted Modi’s rapport with Putin, amplifying concerns about strained U.S.-India relations despite past camaraderie between Trump and Modi.
3. What were the key points of Prime Minister Modi’s address at the SCO Summit?
Modi called for unified action against terrorism, criticizing the “open support” of terrorism by some countries and referencing the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians. He stressed no double standards on terrorism, advocated for action against terror financing, and positioned the SCO as a platform for security, connectivity, and opportunity. Modi highlighted India’s connectivity projects like Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor, supported SCO reforms, and invited leaders to join India’s “Reform, Perform and Transform” growth story.
4. Who attended the 2025 SCO Summit, and what was the geopolitical context?
The summit saw leaders from SCO members (India, Russia, China, Iran, Pakistan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan) and observers like Turkiye, Myanmar, Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, as well as UN and ASEAN representatives. Held amid Russia’s war in Ukraine, Israel’s actions in Gaza, and Trump’s global trade war, the summit allowed China to project itself as a stabilizing force for the Global South. Tensions, such as India-Pakistan friction over terrorism and India’s abstention on condemning Israel’s actions, highlighted SCO’s challenges in achieving consensus.
5. How does the SCO Summit impact U.S.-India relations and global multilateralism?
The summit raised U.S. concerns about India’s growing ties with China and Russia, driven by Trump’s tariffs, which critics argue alienated a key ally. It sets the stage for India’s 2025 Quad Summit with the U.S., Japan, and Australia, with the U.S. closely watching India-China dynamics. Experts like Manoj Kewalramani emphasize the maturity of U.S.-India ties but urge the U.S. to learn from SCO’s push for multipolarity and multilateralism, contrasting NATO’s bloc-based security with SCO’s “indivisible security” vision.
