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In the complex web of modern geopolitics, platforms like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) are becoming critical stages where global powers showcase unity, dialogue, and regional influence.

The recent SCO meet amid US tariff tension saw the coming together of three of the world’s most powerful leaders—Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Xi Jinping, and President Vladimir Putin.

Each came to the table with their national agendas, but all were united by one undeniable reality: the international system is under stress, and “greater responsibilities” now fall on major economies to stabilize it.

This summit was not just another routine diplomatic gathering. It took place against a backdrop of shifting alliances, volatile trade wars, and a global economy grappling with uncertainties.

The SCO meet amid US tariff tension became an arena where issues of economic resilience, security cooperation, and strategic autonomy intersected.

Why This SCO Meet Stands Out?

The SCO, originally founded in 2001 to strengthen regional security and cooperation, has gradually evolved into a forum where economic and political concerns find equal weight. This time, the SCO meet amid US tariff tension attracted wider attention because it symbolized an alternative vision to the Western-dominated order.

The U.S. tariffs, imposed on various imports and targeting both China and Russia, have disrupted global trade flows. India, while not directly targeted, has also felt the ripple effects through its supply chains and export competitiveness.

At this moment, Modi, Xi, and Putin standing together sends a powerful signal: Asia’s largest economies are preparing to shoulder “greater responsibilities” in global governance.

Modi’s Message: Strategic Autonomy and Economic Resilience

Prime Minister Modi has consistently advocated for a multipolar world where India maintains strategic autonomy. At the SCO meet amid US tariff tension, his message emphasized resilience and cooperation without dependency on any single power bloc.

He stressed that global challenges such as inflation, climate change, and energy insecurity cannot be tackled in isolation.

Modi’s intervention focused on three pillars:

1. Trade diversification – urging nations to look beyond traditional markets.
2. Technological collaboration – highlighting the need for shared innovation in AI, clean energy, and digital infrastructure.
3. Cultural diplomacy – underlining the soft power of people-to-people ties in stabilizing geopolitics.

His speech resonated strongly, as India finds itself at the crossroads of balancing ties with both the West and its Eastern partners. The SCO meet amid US tariff tension allowed Modi to amplify India’s role as a bridge-builder.

Xi Jinping’s Perspective: Resisting Protectionism

For President Xi, the summit was an opportunity to rally support against unilateralism and economic coercion. The SCO meet amid US tariff tension gave him a platform to highlight China’s position that tariffs are counterproductive, harming not only the intended targets but the broader global economy.

Xi proposed enhancing trade within the SCO bloc, boosting investment in infrastructure projects, and advancing the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with more inclusive frameworks.

His call was clear: nations must resist being divided by external pressure and instead build an ecosystem where Asian economies thrive on collaboration.

Putin’s Stand: Rebuilding Global Trust

President Putin used the SCO meet amid US tariff tension to reinforce his long-standing argument that the global system needs restructuring. With Russia facing Western sanctions, Putin has turned eastward, positioning Russia as both a security guarantor and an energy supplier to SCO partners.

He emphasized the importance of sovereign decision-making and warned against overreliance on Western institutions. For him, the “greater responsibility” lay in constructing a multipolar system that offers fair opportunities to all stakeholders.

His message found a sympathetic audience, especially as many countries in the SCO bloc feel marginalized by Western policies.

Why Greater Responsibilities’ is the Keyword?

The phrase “greater responsibilities” echoed throughout the discussions at the SCO meet amid US tariff tension. Leaders acknowledged that as emerging and established powers, they cannot simply react to global developments—they must proactively shape them.

This sense of responsibility spans several domains:

• Economic – building resilient supply chains and reducing dependence on unilateral systems.
• Security – coordinating against terrorism, cyber threats, and regional conflicts.
• Climate – investing in green technologies and sustainable development.
• Humanitarian – ensuring equitable vaccine distribution and health cooperation.

The SCO meet amid US tariff tension thus symbolized not just defensive posturing against tariffs but also an aspirational vision of shared responsibility.

India’s Balancing Act

For India, the summit was particularly delicate. While it values ties with the U.S. for technology and defense cooperation, it cannot ignore the benefits of strong partnerships with China and Russia.

At the SCO meet amid US tariff tension, India reiterated its stance that economic protectionism undermines global growth and that countries must find inclusive solutions.

This balancing act reflects India’s broader foreign policy doctrine—maintaining independence while expanding influence. The SCO summit was a chance to test how well this doctrine works in practice.

The Tariff Tension as a Backdrop

The U.S. tariff disputes were not officially on the agenda, but their shadow loomed large over the summit. From energy exports to technology supply chains, tariffs have disrupted stability.

The SCO meet amid US tariff tension allowed member nations to discuss how to insulate themselves from such shocks.

Some of the solutions discussed included:

• Creating regional payment mechanisms independent of the dollar.
• Expanding intra-SCO trade agreements.
• Accelerating digital currency collaborations.

These measures indicate that while the tariffs may have been imposed by the U.S., their impact has galvanized the SCO bloc to think creatively about reducing vulnerability.

The Symbolism of Unity

The image of Modi, Xi, and Putin together at the SCO meet amid US tariff tension holds deep symbolic value. It represents three distinct yet converging paths: India’s rising global profile, China’s push against economic isolation, and Russia’s search for trusted partnerships.

While their interests do not always align perfectly, their willingness to stand together signals a broader trend: the global South is no longer content to be a passive observer. Instead, it seeks to define its role in shaping the rules of international order.

Challenges Ahead

Of course, the road is not free of obstacles. Even within the SCO, disagreements exist—especially between India and China on border issues. Economic collaboration is often slowed by differing priorities and domestic pressures. At the SCO meet amid US tariff tension, these tensions were not erased but managed.

The challenge lies in translating summit declarations into tangible action. Building new financial systems, reducing trade dependency, and enhancing cooperation require long-term commitment and trust, which cannot be built overnight.

The Future of SCO in Global Geopolitics

As the SCO meet amid US tariff tension concluded, analysts observed that the organization has grown from a regional security platform into a symbol of an emerging multipolar order.

It is now positioned as a counterweight to Western institutions like NATO and the G7, though in a more economic and diplomatic sense rather than purely military.

The success of this transformation depends on whether the SCO can overcome internal rivalries and deliver practical solutions to its members. Still, the presence of leaders like Modi, Xi, and Putin underscores that the world’s future balance of power will increasingly hinge on such platforms.

Conclusion

The SCO meet amid US tariff tension was not just a diplomatic ritual. It was a moment when the world’s attention turned to Asia to see how rising powers would respond to growing global instability.

With Modi emphasizing resilience, Xi calling for resistance to protectionism, and Putin stressing the need for multipolarity, the summit highlighted both the challenges and opportunities of shared global leadership.

“Greater responsibilities” are indeed the new reality for these nations. As the global order continues to evolve, how Modi, Xi, and Putin navigate their roles at the SCO will determine not just regional stability, but also the trajectory of international relations in the years to come.