At a time when Donald Trump’s foreign policy continues to frustrate some and perplex others, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi have gathered to discuss trade and international security.
The leaders of Russia, China and India joined others from central Asia at the latest summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a grouping sometimes seen as a foil to US influence in the region.
It comes at a time when Russia’s war in Ukraine and China’s aspirations towards Taiwan continue to be under the global spotlight in addition to trade turbulence.
The SCO’s two-day summit in the Chinese city of Tianjin may shed more light on issues surrounding the group’s activities and intentions.
In comments reported by the Xinhua news agency, Chinese President Xi said the world is undergoing « accelerated changes unseen in a century ».
He added that at this time of instability, the SCO « bears an even greater responsibility for safeguarding regional peace and stability ».
The full membership of the group includes Russia, Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Prime Minister Modi is welcomed by the Indian community in Tianjin. Pic: Reuters
Prime Minister Modi and President Xi also discussed the need to expand trade and investment ties between their two countries, against the backdrop of US tariffs.
Mr Modi said India and China pursued strategic autonomy, and their ties should not be seen through the lens of a third country, according to an Indian foreign ministry readout of the meeting.
The pair also discussed their shared – and disputed – Himalayan border, which saw a prolonged military standoff after deadly troop clashes in 2020 and undermined bilateral relations.
« We must… not let the border issue define the overall China-India relationship, » President Xi was reported as saying.
China-India ties could be « stable and far-reaching » if both sides focused on viewing each other as partners instead of rivals, he added.
Leaders and officials gather for a group photo at the summit. Pic: Reuters
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Meanwhile, President Xi also spoke with President Putin about the Russian leader’s recent contact with President Trump.
Details of what was discussed between the pair were not immediately available.
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