Putin, Xi, Modi Meet to Counter US

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said last week the organization has successfully "explored a new path for regional cooperation." Beijing has consistently promoted the idea of an alternative world order, with Russian backing, and has pitched the SCO as a rival to Western-aligned groups like the G7, pledging development and financial assistance.

The SCO's founding declaration says the group is "not an alliance directed against other states." At last year's summit, Putin accused Western countries of provoking the Ukraine war and Xi denounced "acts of intimidation," a reference to U.S.-Chinese tensions.

Bessent was blunt about Beijing's trade position: "The world cannot have a China with a US$1.2 trillion trade surplus." He added that "in China, the economy is quite weak, and they are trying to export their way out of it, and they need to rebalance their economy."

Analysts caution the bloc is not a unified political or military alliance. Its members carry real disagreements — the forum is heavily influenced by China and includes Pakistan, both rivals of India. Dinakar Peri, a fellow in security studies at Carnegie India, said the summit gives New Delhi a seat at the table without handing it control: "While it may not entirely shape the agenda, it gives New Delhi a first-hand view of the region and allows it to hedge its position with others."