Russia, India, and China Forge Closer Ties: A New Global Order Emerging

The most recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit was expected to be held, as in previous years, in Shanghai. Instead, it took place in the coastal city of Tianjin—a decision that was anything but accidental. Tianjin, as a major maritime gateway for China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), carried a symbolic message: China intends to showcase its openness to the world and reaffirm the strategic importance of Eurasian connectivity.

But the choice of venue was not the only signal. The summit underscored a growing convergence between Russia, India, and China—three of Asia’s largest powers. Their coordinated positions, reflected in the final communiqué, highlighted an increasingly confident push toward a multipolar global order, one no longer dominated by the West.

A Response to Western Hegemony

The timing of this summit drew global attention. It unfolded against the backdrop of what many see as the reckless and aggressive foreign policy of the United States, the declining influence of Europe, and the West’s continued isolation of Russia following its war in Ukraine.

For many observers, the Western-led order—characterized by unilateral sanctions, military interventions, and selective enforcement of international law—has destabilized global politics. By contrast, the rise of a Eurasian power bloc led by China, Russia, and India is being framed as a potential counterbalance.

The summit’s final declaration called for the rejection of Cold War mentalities, zero-sum politics, and coercive measures, emphasizing instead justice, fairness, and multilateralism. In practical terms, this means support for the World Trade Organization’s multilateral trading system, stronger counterterrorism cooperation, and—crucially—the creation of a development bank that could serve as an alternative to Western-led institutions like the IMF and World Bank.

India’s Surprising Role

One of the more striking developments was India’s active and enthusiastic participation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposal—“One Earth, One Family, One Future”—was formally adopted as part of the SCO’s vision.

This was noteworthy given India’s historically uneasy ties with both China and Pakistan, as well as its marginalized Muslim minority, which casts doubt on the inclusiveness of Modi’s rhetoric. Still, India’s visible engagement, including Modi’s cordial gestures toward both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, was a central theme in media coverage.

Possible BRICS-SCO Merger

Analysts increasingly see the SCO’s trajectory converging with that of BRICS, another bloc led by China, Russia, and India. Both institutions have expanded their agendas from narrow economic cooperation to include security, development, and governance issues. In the coming years, a merger or deeper integration between the two could create a formidable Eurasian mega-bloc.

Such a development would mark the emergence of a powerful alternative to Western institutions, especially as more Global South nations seek membership in BRICS and closer ties with the SCO.

Economic and Energy Powerhouse

The SCO is already an impressive coalition:

• Members: China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran

• Observers: Afghanistan, Belarus, Mongolia, Sri Lanka

• Dialogue Partners: Azerbaijan, Albania, Cambodia, Nepal, Turkey, Qatar

Together, they represent a significant portion of the world’s population, GDP, and energy reserves. Just the partnership of China, India, and Russia alone is enough to reshape global power balances.

On energy, the presence of Iran, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Qatar, and Azerbaijan adds considerable weight to the bloc’s role in global energy markets. Militarily, Russia, China, Pakistan, and Turkey are among the strongest armed forces worldwide.

Taken together, the SCO is well-positioned to emerge as a central hub for economic, energy, security, and trade coordination outside the Western orbit.

Putin’s Position: Weakened but Resilient

For the West, the summit was a bitter pill. Despite relentless sanctions and efforts to isolate Moscow, Russia remains central to Eurasian geopolitics. Xi Jinping repeatedly emphasized his partnership with Putin, while photos of Xi, Putin, and Modi together seemed to deliver a message to Europe: Russia is not as isolated as the West hoped.

Yet, the dynamics are shifting. While Putin projects resilience, Russia is no longer the primary pole it once was. Instead, it risks being seen as a junior partner in a China-led bloc. Both the U.S. and China are competing for Russian alignment, effectively reducing Moscow to the role of a swing power rather than an independent hegemon.

Turkey’s Balancing Act

Turkey’s role adds another layer of complexity. A NATO member and longtime EU candidate, Ankara has simultaneously sought deeper ties with SCO and BRICS. This stems from frustrations with Washington, EU membership stagnation, and repeated episodes of Western pressure.

Rather than abandoning the West, Turkey is pursuing a diversified strategy, positioning itself as a bridge between Asia and Europe. Its geography gives it unique leverage, but balancing U.S. hostility toward China with its growing ties to Eurasian powers will not be easy.

A New Era in Global Politics?

The Tianjin summit could mark the start of a new phase in global politics. A Eurasian-led bloc, anchored by Russia, India, and China, is signaling its readiness to act as a counterweight to Western dominance.

Whether through closer SCO-BRICS integration, the creation of alternative financial institutions, or deeper security cooperation, the message is clear: the unipolar era is fading, and multipolarity is on the rise.

The question is no longer whether the global order is changing, but how fast—and whether the West can adapt before it finds itself on the outside looking in.

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