Context

At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, leaders Narendra Modi, Vladimir Putin, and Xi Jinping projected strategic alignment, signaling deeper cooperation amidst growing tensions with the United States.

Key Highlights

• Strategic Convergence: Emphasis on counter-terrorism, energy security, and shaping a multipolar global order.

• India’s Position: India underscored its balanced foreign policy—strengthening defense ties with the U.S. (e.g., Yudh Abhyas exercise) while simultaneously engaging with Russia and China in multilateral platforms.

• Geopolitical Significance: This unity signals to the West, particularly the U.S., the emergence of alternate power centers in Asia.

• Economic Dimension: Discussions focused on energy partnerships, regional connectivity projects, and trade diversification.

Importance

• Reflects India’s strategy of multi-alignment—active in Western groupings like QUAD and I2U2, while equally participating in Eastern blocs like SCO and BRICS.

• Reinforces the multipolar character of global politics.

Implications

• Strengthens India’s Strategic Autonomy.

• Creates opportunities in trade, energy, and defense cooperation.

• However, balancing relations amid the India-China border dispute and Russia-West standoff will remain a challenge.

Conclusion

The SCO Summit highlights India’s nuanced diplomacy—projecting unity with Russia and China while maintaining parallel ties with the U.S. and its allies. This reflects India’s pursuit of a pragmatic, multi-aligned foreign policy aimed at securing national interests in an evolving world order.