The SCO summit Kyrgyzstan will bring together leaders from Russia, China, Iran, India and Pakistan as the regional bloc marks its 25th anniversary. The two-day meeting will begin Monday in Bishkek.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to attend the summit alongside Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will also participate in the plenary session.
Around a dozen heads of state are expected in the Kyrgyz capital for the gathering. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation includes Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Iran, four Central Asian countries and Belarus.
The SCO summit Kyrgyzstan meeting comes amid major geopolitical tensions, including the war in Ukraine and the conflict between the United States and Iran. Putin and Xi have previously used SCO meetings to promote a multipolar global order and strengthen cooperation outside Western-led structures.
Putin is expected to hold separate talks with Pezeshkian and Xi, according to Kremlin spokesman Yuri Ushakov. Russia and Iran have significantly expanded their military and economic cooperation in recent years, particularly during the Ukraine conflict.
Economic and trade issues are also expected to feature prominently at the summit. Several SCO members face US sanctions, tariffs or other economic restrictions, while China remains a major buyer of Iranian oil despite pressure from Washington.
Iran joined the SCO in 2023 and views its membership as a potential way to strengthen economic ties and reduce the impact of Western sanctions. However, analysts note that differences among members could limit the organisation’s ability to address major crises.
