Tianjin, China — The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit opened this week in Tianjin amid intensifying global tensions, with discussions dominated by escalating US-China trade frictions and the potential reset of India-China relations.
US-China Trade Tensions and the SCO’s Position
The summit unfolds against the backdrop of sweeping tariffs imposed by the second Trump administration, some reaching 145% on Chinese imports. Analysts warn these measures could destabilize global trade flows and reshape supply chains.
“Tariffs as high as 145% risk destabilizing the global economy,” analysts warn.
In response, China and Russia are using the SCO platform to advocate for what they call a “fairer multipolar world order,” challenging what they view as US unilateralism and the use of economic coercion.
Beijing is also rallying support among the Global South, presenting itself as a stabilizing force in an uncertain international landscape. The presence of a broad coalition of SCO members, observers, and dialogue partners highlights China’s effort to build a counterweight to Washington’s influence.
Beijing seeks to unite the Global South as a counterweight to U.S. influence.
India-China Relations: Signs of a Thaw
A defining moment of the summit is Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first visit to China in seven years, following years of strained ties after the deadly 2020 border clashes.
Diplomatic signals suggest a cautious but notable thaw. The US decision to impose a 50% tariff on Indian goods has increased economic pressure on New Delhi, prompting it to seek stronger ties with other Eurasian powers, including Beijing.
On the sidelines of the summit, Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held bilateral talks focused on border management and renewed connectivity. Modi announced the resumption of direct flights to China, a move widely interpreted as a step toward normalization. Both leaders emphasized the need for mutual trust, respect, and a long-term strategic perspective.
“The dragon and the elephant can dance together,” Xi Jinping declared, signaling a cooperative path forward.
Russia-India-China (RIC) Troika: A Strategic Test
Another critical question at the summit is whether the long-discussed Russia-India-China (RIC) trilateral can be revived. Moscow is actively promoting the format, with strong backing from Beijing, as a way to counterbalance US influence.
India remains cautious, but the combination of economic strain from US tariffs and the strategic weight of the SCO may push New Delhi to reconsider closer trilateral engagement.
The RIC troika could become a powerful counterbalance to U.S. influence.
What’s Next for the SCO?
As the Tianjin summit concludes, the SCO faces a defining test: whether it can move beyond symbolic declarations to build real mechanisms that address economic instability and security challenges.
Analysts say the coming months will reveal whether India and China can translate their diplomatic gestures into sustainable cooperation, or whether border tensions will once again stall progress. Likewise, the durability of the Russia-India-China trilateral will depend on New Delhi’s willingness to edge closer to Beijing and Moscow without jeopardizing its ties to Washington.
For China and Russia, the summit has underscored their shared ambition to reframe the global order. For India, it has highlighted the delicate balancing act of navigating economic pressure from the U.S. while exploring opportunities with Eurasian partners.
In the words of one regional observer:
The SCO is evolving from a security club into a stage where the future of global power alignments is being negotiated.
Whether this evolution leads to a durable multipolar world or a fragmented global order remains one of the central questions for the decade ahead.
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