Putin, Modi, and Over 18 World Leaders Join Xi Jinping in China for Landmark Summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday opened a high-profile summit in Tianjin, welcoming more than 20 world leaders — including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi — under the banner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

Leaders from the 10 SCO member states posed for a red-carpet group photograph, with Xi, Putin, and Modi spotted exchanging words in footage broadcast live from the venue.

In his opening address, Xi Jinping took aim at what he described as “bullying behaviour” in today’s global order, urging regional powers to embrace fairness, reject Cold War mentalities, and stand against camp confrontations.

“The current international situation is becoming chaotic and intertwined,” Xi said. “The security and development tasks facing member states have become even more challenging.”

The SCO — founded in 2001 and now comprising China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus — also counts 16 other nations as observers or dialogue partners. Frequently promoted by Beijing and Moscow as a counterweight to Western blocs such as NATO, the organisation has grown into one of the world’s largest regional alliances.

Reflecting on its evolution, Xi praised what he called the “Shanghai spirit,” crediting it for the bloc’s resilience amid global turbulence.

“Looking back, despite tumultuous times, we have achieved success by practicing the Shanghai spirit,” he said. “Looking to the future, as the world undergoes turbulence and transformation, we must stay grounded, forge ahead, and better fulfil the functions of this organisation.”