As U.S. economic pressure on Iran intensifies, the influence of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), led by China and Russia, is being tested. Marking its 25th anniversary this year, the SCO has expanded its membership to counter the U.S.-led international order. However, analysts question whether it can effectively respond to the situation facing its member Iran under U.S. pressure.
The SCO summit opened on August 31 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, where leaders discussed security and economic cooperation over two days. Attendees include Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and leaders from Central Asian nations, Pakistan, and Belarus.
One of the key issues at the summit is the member states' response to the ongoing U.S. economic war against Iran.
Iran, which became a full member of the SCO in 2023, is expected to focus on securing political and economic support from other members as U.S. President Donald Trump intensifies economic pressure targeting Iran and its allies.
However, Bloomberg reported on August 31 that the SCO's response is likely to remain symbolic, limited to diplomatic rhetoric condemning U.S. military actions, as both Xi and Putin have not indicated intentions to provide military support, and economic assistance is expected to be minimal.
The Nihon Keizai Shimbun noted that China is likely to adopt a cautious approach, maintaining relations with Iran while avoiding unnecessary conflict with the U.S. This is particularly relevant as Xi is expected to visit the U.S. for a summit with Trump at the end of September, suggesting China may moderate its actions regarding Iran.
The current situation highlights the structural limitations of the SCO. Founded in 2001 by China and Russia along with Central Asian nations like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan, the organization has since expanded to include India, Pakistan, Iran, and Belarus. Currently, SCO member states account for over 40% of the world's population and about a quarter of global GDP.
However, Bloomberg pointed out that competition and diverging interests among member states have hindered the SCO's ability to translate its geopolitical influence into concrete actions on the international stage.
Tensions remain between major members, such as China and India, and India and Pakistan, over border and security issues. While there is a common interest in countering U.S. influence, individual countries' security and economic concerns often diverge. The SCO has pursued initiatives like establishing a development bank and a joint payment system, but it has struggled to achieve visible results.
Artyom Lukin, a professor at the Far Eastern Federal University in Russia, stated on August 31 in the South China Morning Post that the SCO cannot be seen as an efficient organization that delivers tangible results, describing it as primarily a platform for rhetoric with little substance, a sentiment that is widely recognized.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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