The world is undergoing significant changes due to economic rivalries and shifting alliances. Especially amid the current tariff war opened by the USA president, Mr. Donald Trump, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025, held in Tianjin, China, emerged as a powerful symbol of multilateral cooperation and strategic recalibration and re-alliances. Against the backdrop of Donald Trump’s renewed tariff war, the summit brought together leaders from across Eurasia, South Asia, and beyond to chart a collective path forward.
Although not all summit details are public, discussions about the tariff war may have taken place.
For those who are a little aware of what a tariff war is, please read my blogs –
- https://polyblogger.com/politics/what-is-a-tariff-war/
- https://polyblogger.com/global-news/effect_of_tariff_war_on_america/
- https://polyblogger.com/global-news/tramp-tariff-war-really-making-america-great-again/
These blogs will provide insight into what a tariff war is and its impact on America and the world.
The whole world is watching the significance of the SCO-2025 summit and the development it will bring. With the context of a bigger event, let’s dive into the news related to the SCO.
What is the SCO?
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a regional intergovernmental body founded in 2001 originally by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Over the years, it has expanded to include India, Pakistan, Iran, and Belarus as full members, with several other nations participating as observers or dialogue partners.
SCO is a non-Western nation organization. You will find the complete list of participating and contributing countries to the SCO in the blog below.
Its core mission revolves around:
- Promoting regional security and stability
- Enhancing economic cooperation
- Fostering cultural and diplomatic ties
- Combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism
While the objectives of SCO are clear on paper, the question remains whether they are truly fulfilling them, mainly the aim of combating terrorism, separatism and extremism.
Pakistan is a terrorist country and is a part of the SCO. This country is a puppet of the USA, and so the confidentiality of the developments of the SCO, before it takes final shape, is hard to believe.
Nonetheless, the organization appears powerful, considering the information below and the countries involved.
The SCO represents nearly 43% of the world’s population and over 23% of global GDP, making it one of the most influential regional blocs globally.
Why Is the SCO Important?
In an era of fragmented global governance, the SCO offers:
- A platform for non-Western nations to collaborate on shared interests
- A counterbalance to Western-led institutions like NATO and the IMF
- A mechanism for regional peace-building, especially in Central and South Asia
- A voice for the Global South in shaping a multipolar world order
Its emphasis on the “Shanghai Spirit”—mutual trust, equality, respect for diversity, and shared development—sets it apart from traditional power blocs.
Below are essential points on the importance of the SCO.
- This Organization is the most prominent non-Western Organization in terms of population, geopolitical influence, territory, and trade.
- The Organization facilitates regional cooperation for cross-border trade, infrastructure development, and trading partnerships, enabling land or air routes for countries to trade with each other.
- Member nations promise to curb terrorism and take the strictest actions to eliminate terrorism and non-cooperation against terror nations.
- SCO offers regional stability (at least on paper), security, and facilitates dialogues to eliminate differences of opinion.
- Promoting cultural ties and tourism is the Organization’s primary offering, as it enhances relationships between countries and their people, facilitates trade and trade routes, and establishes long-term peace agreements between the two countries. Cultural ties encompass a range of activities, including movies, live performances, games, tribal arts, and traditional foods, which showcase various lifestyles.
- Promotes independent views on global issues, enabling the country to handle external forces or influences, unlike President Donald Trump’s strategy of pressuring India to stop buying oil from Russia. Here, the focus is on every country’s economic development.
SCO 2025: Significance Amid Trump’s Tariff War
The 2025 summit was particularly significant due to escalating tensions triggered by Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policies.
His unusual behaviour and pressure on countries have not only sparked widespread rage against him but also provided an opportunity for countries to unite that might not have otherwise occurred. The President of the USA is allying with nations to counter the United States itself.
It has also given opportunities to the meme makers, comedians, and the opposition party of America.
To add to that, the President’s cabinet ministry is making such weird comments to fuel the rage against America. One of the crackpots said that the ‘Brahmins are making huge money by reselling Russian oil’. ‘Brahmin’ is a caste in the Hindu community in India. Is it safe to guess that the American government is now taking every cheap step to demean India and the partner countries?
What the President has imposed is –
- A 50% import duty on Indian goods
- Threats of 200% tariffs on Chinese exports
- Sanctions targeting the Russian energy and defence sectors
These moves have disrupted global trade flows and pushed SCO nations to strengthen intra-bloc cooperation. The summit served as a unified response to economic bullying, with leaders calling for:
- Fair trade practices
- Respect for sovereignty
- Rejection of unilateralism
Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Russian President Vladimir Putin stood together to signal solidarity against external pressure.
The trio made such a posture that anyone might think something must be cooking against the United States of America. We may not see the results immediately, but they may become apparent in the coming years.
This SCO was important for India because of the recent attack by Pakistani Terrorists in ‘Pahalgam’ in the J&K region of India.
Participating Countries in SCO 2025
This year’s SCO 2025 summit saw participation from:
- Full Members: China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
- Observer States: Mongolia, Afghanistan
- Dialogue Partners: Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Nepal, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Qatar
- Special Invitees: Leaders from Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Myanmar, and the Maldives
- International Organizations: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and ASEAN representatives
This made it the largest SCO summit in history, with over 20 heads of state and 10 international organizations represented.
Key Agenda of SCO 2025
The summit revolved around the theme: “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move”
SCO members discussed and agreed on the following main topics:
- Establishing an SCO Development Bank for economic resilience.
This SCO bank may also enhance international payments, trade trust, and financial cooperation.
- Approving a 10-year strategic roadmap for cooperation
- Enhancing counterterrorism efforts, especially post-Pahalgam attack
- Every country condemned the terror attack on innocent civilians in Pahalgam, India. The regional bloc mentioned the Pahalgam terror attack and joined the voice of India’s stand on terrorism. This was a huge diplomatic victory, especially when the leader of the terror state, Pakistan, was attending the summit, and everyone echoed India’s voice. Member countries also agreed that the terror supporters and terrorists must be brought to justice. This discussion exposed Pakistan’s terror connections, embarrassing the Pakistani PM’s face.
- We will discuss this topic in the news in detail.
- Promoting digital connectivity and cultural exchange
- Reforming global institutions, including a call for UN restructuring
- Addressing climate change, energy security, and food supply chains
India proposed a Civilizational Dialogue Forum to foster cultural ties and mutual understanding.
Outcomes and Benefits for Member States
The summit yielded several tangible benefits:
- China pledged 2 billion yuan in grants and 10 billion yuan in loans to SCO member banks
- India and China agreed to resume direct flights and reopen border trade routes
- Russia deepened its energy and defence ties with India and Iran
- SCO nations condemned terrorism in all forms, issuing a joint declaration
- Member states agreed to collaborate on rare earth mining, green energy, and cybersecurity
- The summit reinforced the Global South’s voice in shaping global norms
For India, the summit was a strategic win—diversifying trade, countering Western pressure, and reaffirming its role as a regional leader.
For the US, it was a dream fading away. Mr. Donald Trump wanted India and other countries to keep away from Russia; however, the relations with Russia only strengthened. The Indo-Russian energy and defence ties deepen, ignoring the Trump administration.
China took the opportunity of Trump’s tariff war to improve relations with neighbours like India. Both agreed to open the trade routes and direct transportation. Also, China resolved most of the border tensions with India strategically, before the SCO summit.
On the contrary, President Donald Trump’s tariff strategy loosens the grip in South Asia. The world has now started ignoring Mr. Donald Trump, hasn’t it?
Conclusion
The SCO Summit 2025 was more than a diplomatic gathering—it was a statement of intent. As the world grapples with protectionism and geopolitical fragmentation, the SCO stands as a beacon of cooperation, resilience, and shared progress.
The world will experience the shifting economic powers, new strategies, and the emergence of nations beyond the Western world.
This summit will definitely bring some breaking news in future.
In the face of Trump’s tariff war, the summit sent a clear message: Unity among emerging powers can reshape the global order.
