Modi, Putin, And Xi To Meet At Eurasian Summit As U.S. Looms Large In The Background

 

The leaders of three of the world’s biggest powers will gather in Tianjin, China, this weekend for the 25th summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping will join other heads of state — but absent will be U.S. President Donald Trump, whose policies are expected to dominate conversations regardless.

U.S. Policies Cast a Shadow

Analysts say the summit’s undercurrent will be the United States, its tariffs, and its foreign policy. Prime Minister Modi, for example, arrives in Tianjin just days after Washington imposed a steep 50% tariff on Indian goods — one of Trump’s harshest trade measures yet. The White House framed the tariff in part as punishment for India’s continued purchase of Russian oil.

The move, combined with Trump’s dismissive comments about India’s economy, has strained relations and pushed Modi toward cautiously engaging with China. His visit marks his first trip to the country since 2018, signaling a shift after years of deep tensions.

India and China Edge Closer

Relations between India and China collapsed in 2020 after deadly border clashes in the Himalayas. Since then, both nations froze ties, suspending visas and flights. But this year, signs of thaw have appeared: tourist visas have resumed, and direct flights are set to restart.

India’s foreign minister had long said that normalization could not happen without resolving the border dispute. Modi’s participation in the SCO summit suggests a pragmatic recalibration — a recognition of India’s vulnerability as it faces pressure from both Washington and Beijing.

Russia and China: A Growing Partnership

For Putin, the summit is another opportunity to demonstrate Moscow’s alignment with Beijing. Less than three weeks after a high-profile visit to the U.S., the Russian leader will appear in Tianjin and then in Beijing for a military parade on September 3, alongside Xi and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Despite Trump’s fluctuating stance toward Putin, the “no limits” partnership between Russia and China has only strengthened. Trade has surged, and the two militaries recently carried out their first-ever joint submarine patrol in the Pacific.

Analysts note that while the partnership is unequal — Russia’s war in Ukraine has left it increasingly dependent on China — both governments remain united by their view of the U.S. as a common threat.

A Shift Toward a “Polycentric” World

In 2022, just before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Putin and Xi called for building a “polycentric world order” free from U.S. dominance. That vision will be on display in Tianjin, where Xi is expected to position China as a stable and dependable alternative to Washington’s unpredictable policies.

The SCO itself is far from unified — several of its members and dialogue partners have fought wars against each other in recent years. Yet the bloc still represents a platform for countries seeking distance from the U.S.-led order.

As the summit unfolds, the absence of the U.S. will be as notable as its presence in the discussions. The event offers China, Russia, and India a chance to recalibrate their relationships with one another while presenting a vision of global leadership less centered on Washington.