Putin and Xi to strengthen ties and collaborate against the US at SCO Summit 2024

The 24th annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is currently taking place in Astana, Kazakhstan, with President Xi Jinping of China being the first to arrive. The focus of this year’s summit is on strengthening ties and cooperation among member countries to achieve greater progress in various areas. Security measures are tight as heads of state, observer members, dialogue partners, and the UN Secretary-General come together to discuss key topics including security, economy, connectivity, and the environment.

One of the significant developments at this year’s summit is the expected inclusion of Belarus into the bloc, which will expand the SCO to ten members. Together, these members represent over 40% of the world’s population and nearly a third of global GDP, highlighting the organization’s growing influence and reach on the global stage.

Of particular interest will be the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, as discussions around Ukraine and international sanctions are expected to take center stage. With India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi sending a minister in his place but planning to visit Russia later, all eyes will be on the interactions between the leaders of China and Russia as they discuss strategies to counter the influence of the US.

The SCO Summit 2024 in Astana is poised to be a crucial event for shaping the future direction of the organization and addressing pressing global issues. Stay tuned for further updates on the outcomes of the summit and the potential implications for regional and global dynamics.