China, Russia, and India Project Unity at SCO Summit—But Fault Lines Remain

Beijing showcased its vision of a non-Western bloc at the SCO Summit, but analysts point to underlying gaps and limitations in the alliance.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (center left) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (center right) attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, on Sept. 1, 2025. Alexander Kazakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

News Analysis

The image of friendship and solidarity among China, Russia, and India was one of the defining moments of the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, held from Aug. 31 to Sept. 1 in the northern Chinese port city of Tianjin.