TIANJIN/ISLAMABAD — August 28, 2025: Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to China for a four-day visit, with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin (August 31–September 1) as its highlight. The summit will bring together over 20 world leaders, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan.
Putin to embark on a major four-day visit to China next week
The centerpiece of the trip will be large-scale negotiations between the two delegations
Putin will also attend the SCO summit in Tianjin pic.twitter.com/h0nsZaa9FU
— RT (@RT_com) August 24, 2025
This gathering carries far-reaching implications for Pakistan, the region, and the wider world.
The Bigger Picture: A Shifting World Order
- With Russia under Western sanctions and the US engaged in a deepening trade war with China, Moscow and Beijing are using the SCO platform to display their strategic alignment.
- The summit signals a growing non-Western bloc, which includes Russia, China, Iran, and other countries under Western pressure.
- For Pakistan, which maintains close ties with China and is building new energy and trade relations with Russia, this represents a realignment that could shape its future economic and security policies.
Key Regional Implications
- Anti-West Solidarity: The presence of Russia, China, and Iran sends a clear signal of resistance to Western dominance in global politics. For many in Pakistan, this resonates with the country’s own experiences of balancing ties with the West.
- India-China Talks: Indian PM Narendra Modi is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines — his first visit to China in seven years. A potential thaw between India and China could alter South Asia’s balance of power, requiring Pakistan to carefully safeguard its interests.
- Pakistan’s Role in the SCO: As a founding member, Pakistan has an opportunity to strengthen CPEC expansion, energy deals with Russia, and connectivity projects within the SCO framework.
- Ukraine War Factor: While the SCO avoids divisive issues, Russia’s participation demonstrates it is not diplomatically isolated. Pakistan’s policy of neutrality and strategic autonomy allows it to engage without taking sides.
What It Means for Pakistan
- Economic Opportunities: Pakistan could gain from SCO-led initiatives in trade, energy security, and industrial chain cooperation, boosting foreign investment and economic resilience.
- Security Cooperation: With Pakistan facing renewed militant threats, the SCO’s original mandate of combating terrorism and extremism offers vital collaboration with China, Russia, and Central Asian states.
- Diplomatic Visibility: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s presence ensures Pakistan has a seat at the table in shaping Eurasian geopolitics, projecting its narrative as a key regional player.
Conclusion
Putin’s visit and the SCO summit underscore a major geopolitical shift. For Pakistan, it is not just a diplomatic event but a strategic opportunity to consolidate its role in a powerful Eurasian bloc, secure energy and trade benefits, and reinforce its position in regional security cooperation.
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