Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)

Mongolia was the first observer state in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and it has been content to remain there even as other countries upgrade to member status.

Iran is the newest member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Across the SCO there is conflict at various levels that complicates India's engagement, from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to simmering Sino-Indian tensions.

No matter the areas of friction or tactical disagreement, China and Russia share a core worldview that binds them together.

Crises in Afghanistan directly threaten the entire SCO region, yet the organization has done little to address the problem.

In a press conference with Central Asian media outlets, the Ukrainian foreign minister urged the region: “don’t let Russia use you.”

Xi is expected to travel to Kazakhstan on September 14 and then travel to Uzbekistan for the SCO summit, where he will meet with Russian President Putin.

Whether it is the Quad, BRICS or the SCO, India is the odd man out.

Far from causing friction, Russia’s intervention in Kazakhstan shows the durability of the Sino-Russian relationship.

The possibility for the SCO to be used as a vehicle to promote a more authoritarian worldview can be seen in the way the language of Beijing’s counterterror policy is paralleled in SCO policy.

After adding Tehran to its ranks, the SCO will face its biggest test yet: maintaining stability in Afghanistan.