From August 31 to September 1, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) hosted the 25th meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Heads of State Council, which yielded several diplomatic successes for Beijing. The SCO Summit showcased the leaders of the PRC, Russia, and India displaying symbolic and strategic unity, with the implicit understanding that this is taking place at the expense of the United States. This cautious rapprochement between New Delhi and Beijing has primarily been attributed to Trump’s efforts to drive a wedge between Russia and India, yet Washington’s approach has instead soured relations between the U.S. and India. Recent public relations successes aside, the SCO as a bloc still faces systemic challenges and competing priorities, including serious geopolitical rivalries that persist between member states.
Beijing’s Diplomatic Offensive at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit – The Soufan Center
