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SCO summit in Bishkek spotlights widening Eurasian strategic sway

SCMP notes the SCO now spans China, Russia, India, Iran, Pakistan, most Central Asian states, Belarus, plus partners like Turkey and multiple Gulf states.

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The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, a regional grouping formed 25 years ago to help manage borders among China, Russia and several Central Asian states, is drawing more attention at its anniversary summit in Bishkek this week, according to SCMP Economy.

The outlet links the SCO’s growing profile to unresolved shocks in the broader strategic environment, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and a widening US-Iran rivalry that has again raised the risk of disruption in energy markets around the Strait of Hormuz.

SCMP Economy says the SCO’s membership now includes China, Russia, India, Iran, Pakistan, most Central Asian republics, and Belarus, with partners such as Turkey and multiple Gulf states. It adds that the group’s 10 full members represent more than 3.4 billion people and roughly a quarter of global GDP.

While SCMP Economy cautions against labeling the SCO simply as an anti-American alliance, it says the bloc’s importance is increasing even as members’ interests differ, including China and India’s competition, India and Pakistan’s longstanding tensions, and Central Asian governments’ desire to maintain room to maneuver among major powers.

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