SCO Summit in Tianjin Highlights Shifting Global Alliances, India-China Tensions
Tianjin, China – The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit currently underway in Tianjin is unfolding against a backdrop of complex geopolitical dynamics, including the ongoing war in Ukraine, a simmering US-China trade war, and strained India-China relations. Analysts predict a largely symbolic outcome – a joint statement carefully worded to avoid major disagreements – as China seeks to project an image of strength and broaden its influence, especially within the Global South.
The summit is taking place as China has considerably increased economic support to Russia following the invasion of Ukraine, a point of concern for New Delhi, which notes the disparity in response compared to the sanctions imposed by the Trump administration.
“The symbolism of actually achieving a joint statement is more important than the content of the statement itself,” explained Daniel Balazs, a research fellow at the China Programme at Singapore’s S. rajaratnam School of International studies. He anticipates a “very non-controversial” statement focusing on “security and stability, comments about improving economic cooperation, and a couple of comments about the importance of multilateralism.”
China and Russia are expected to reiterate their opposition to “unilateralism” – widely understood as a critique of US foreign policy – but language will likely be softened to ensure broad agreement.
Following the summit, attendees will have a day in China before traveling to Beijing for a military parade on September 3rd commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Asia. This period, particularly September 2nd, is expected to be utilized for crucial bilateral meetings.
The guest list for both the summit and the parade is extensive, including North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, and Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico. While India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not expected to attend the parade, analysts suggest he may send a representative, such as his foreign minister.
According to the China-Global south Project’s Elliot Olander, “who will meet who on the second of September – that’s something to pay attention to.”
The Mercator Institute’s Jing Soong believes the expansive attendance will bolster china’s public image, particularly among nations in the Global South, demonstrating “who can be China’s friend and who is willing to endorse China’s narrative.”
(Image: Police officers stand guard in front of the Tiananmen Gate, in an area temporarily closed to visitors due to construction, in advance of a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, in Beijing, China, on August 20, 2025 [Florence Lo/Reuters])
