The 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit kicked off in Tianjin on Monday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi joining a star-studded lineup of global leaders to chart the future of this influential 10-member bloc.

Chinese President Xi Jinping rolled out the red carpet for the event, hosting a lavish banquet on Sunday night that set the stage for intense deliberations. Attended by heavyweights like Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the summit is the largest in SCO history, with 20 foreign leaders and 10 heads of international organisations, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, joining the SCO Plus Summit.

On Monday, all eyes were on Modi’s address, especially after his high-profile meeting with Xi on Sunday. Against the backdrop of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff war, Modi’s speech is expected to unveil a bold roadmap for India’s role in the SCO and its ties with China.

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Xi, in his opening remarks, emphasised the SCO’s critical role in fostering regional stability and economic growth in an increasingly volatile world. “With unity and cooperation, the SCO will drive progress for the Global South and human civilisation,” Xi declared, expressing confidence in the summit’s success.

The SCO, founded in 2001 in Shanghai, has grown into a 26-nation powerhouse, representing nearly half the world’s population and a quarter of its economy. With major players like China, Russia, and India at its core, the bloc is poised to shape global dynamics.

As Modi and other leaders outline their visions, the summit promises to deliver game-changing decisions for global cooperation. Stay tuned for updates on this historic gathering!

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