The recently concluded 2025 Tianjin SCO Summit in China gathered leaders from across Eurasia, including India, China, Russia, Pakistan, and Central Asian nations, under one roof. The summit, though routine in schedule, came at a rather extraordinary time for global politics. With ongoing geopolitical shifts, economic realignments, and new regional partnerships, this year’s meeting carried far more weight than most people realize.
Now that the summit is over, one question naturally arises: what’s next?
The Summit in Context
Before we look ahead, it’s worth recalling what the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) really stands for. Founded in 2001, the SCO was designed to strengthen trust and cooperation among member nations in areas like security, trade, and culture. Over the years, it has evolved into a powerful platform that reflects the growing influence of Asia on the world stage.
This year’s summit in Tianjin wasn’t just about symbolic diplomacy. Behind the handshakes and photo sessions, countries discussed major issues regional security, energy collaboration, counter-terrorism, digital cooperation, and the need to stabilize supply chains disrupted by global conflicts and economic slowdowns.
But perhaps the most significant undercurrent was this: how can the SCO adapt to a rapidly changing world order?
India’s Role Moving Forward
For India, the summit was an opportunity to reaffirm its independent foreign policy while maintaining engagement with both the East and West. India continues to walk a fine line, participating in the SCO alongside China and Russia, while also being part of platforms like the Quad with the U.S., Japan, and Australia.
After Tianjin, New Delhi’s focus will likely remain on energy security, connectivity, and counter-terrorism cooperation within the SCO framework. But at the same time, India is expected to push for a more balanced, transparent, and inclusive regional dialogue, especially as tensions with China remain sensitive.
China and Russia: Strengthening the Eurasian Axis
China, as the host, used the summit to reinforce its image as a global power broker. The emphasis on economic cooperation and digital trade echoed Beijing’s ambition to keep the SCO aligned with its Belt and Road vision.
Russia, meanwhile, saw the summit as a diplomatic stage to strengthen ties with Asian partners amid ongoing Western sanctions. Both countries seem to be moving toward a tighter strategic partnership, and the SCO serves as a convenient umbrella for that alignment.
The Future of the SCO: Cooperation or Competition?
Looking ahead, the real challenge for the SCO will be unity of purpose.
The group brings together nations with very different political systems, economic interests, and historical tensions. For example, India and Pakistan rarely see eye to eye on security matters, while China and Russia often have competing regional ambitions.
So, what will hold them together?
Perhaps, the shared understanding is that no single nation can tackle today’s global challenges, from climate change and terrorism to digital security and economic inequality, alone.
The next phase for the SCO might focus more on:
- Cross-border digital and energy infrastructure,
- Trade in local currencies,
- Joint research in AI and green technology, and
- Stronger youth and cultural exchanges.
If executed sincerely, these steps could make the SCO not just a diplomatic club but a genuine force for regional progress.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Tianjin SCO Summit may have ended, but its outcomes are still unfolding. What happens next will depend on whether member nations treat the SCO as a talking shop or as a platform for real action.
In an era when global power centers are shifting from West to East, the SCO has a chance to define what a new, multipolar world might look like. The coming years will show whether it can rise to that challenge or fade into the background of great-power politics.
Either way, one thing is clear: the conversations that began in Tianjin are far from over.
India-Russia-China the powerhouse