The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025 is set to take place in Tianjin, China, from August 31 to September 1. Chinese President Xi Jinping will host the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO and the "SCO Plus" Meeting. This marks the fifth time China has hosted the annual SCO summit.

Attendees

More than 20 heads of state and government, along with heads of 10 international organizations, are expected to participate.

Confirmed attendees include:

• Xi Jinping: CCP General Secretary and President of China (host).
• Vladimir Putin: President of Russia.
• Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India.
• Masoud Pezeshkian: President of Iran.
• Shehbaz Sharif: Prime Minister of Pakistan.
• Alexander Lukashenko: President of Belarus.
• Kassym-Jomart Tokayev: President of Kazakhstan.
• Sadyr Japarov: President of the Kyrgyz Republic.
• Emomali Rahmon: President of Tajikistan.
• Shavkat Mirziyoyev: President of Uzbekistan.
• KP Sharma Oli: Prime Minister of Nepal.
• Recep Tayyip Erdogan: President of Turkey.
• Mustafa Madbouly: Egyptian Prime Minister.
• Prabowo Subianto: President of Indonesia.
• Anwar Ibrahim: Prime Minister of Malaysia.
• Pham Minh Chinh: Vietnamese Prime Minister.
• Mohamed Muizzu: President of Maldives.
• Min Aung Hlaing: Myanmar's military chief.
• Antonio Guterres: United Nations Secretary-General.
• Kao Kim Hourn: ASEAN Secretary-General.
• Robert Fico: Prime Minister of Slovakia.

Following the SCO Summit, Beijing will stage a military parade on Wednesday, September 3, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader, will be joining Xi and Putin in observing the Chinese troops in the military parade.

Agenda and Key Issues

The summit will address regional security, connectivity, sustainable development, and global cooperation. The agenda includes promoting the "Shanghai Spirit," improving internal mechanisms, and fostering multilateral cooperation in security, economics, and culture. A joint signing of the Tianjin Declaration and approval of a strategy for the next decade are expected outcomes. Statements marking the 80th anniversary of victory in World War II and the 80th founding anniversary of the UN will be issued. A series of outcome documents on strengthening security, economic, people-to-people, and cultural cooperation are to be adopted.

The summit is expected to consolidate the SCO's role as a stabilizing force, offering security cooperation and economic integration. Discussions may also include the war in Ukraine and tensions between Iran and Israel.

Trump Tariff Strain

The summit occurs amid rising geopolitical tensions and trade protectionism. The Trump administration's tariffs on Indian exports have contributed to a "cautious diplomatic thaw" between India and China. As the US imposed a 50% tariff on Indian exports, doubling the planned levy as a punishment for buying Russian oil, China has opposed the tariffs on New Delhi. This situation has led India to reassess its options and strengthen ties with China to counter the United States.

Economists have warned that the US tariffs could negatively impact India's GDP growth. The Indian rupee has also declined due to concerns about the tariffs.