The Trump administration has been batting for pressure politics in global trade ever since he returned to the White House. The new tariff hikes by the US have created significant uncertainty for business leaders in Asia. Many Asian exporters, particularly in sectors like electronics, automobiles, textiles, and steel, face higher costs and reduced competitiveness in the US market. This is pushing companies to shift supply chains, invest in productivity improvements, and seek new markets. Regional governments and firms are also forming stronger intra-Asia trade ties to mitigate risks, while rising regulatory scrutiny forces businesses to adapt rapidly to changing conditions.
This climate has sky-rocked the importance of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, which brought together Narendra Modi, Xi Jinping, and Vladimir Putin, underscoring a pivotal shift in global business and trade dynamics. As President Trump recently hiked tariffs on Indian imports to 50 percent in retaliation for discounted Russian oil purchases, the summit highlighted these leaders’ collective push for policies that counteract American-led economic pressure and unilateralism.
The SCO meeting was designed to showcase solidarity among India, China, and Russia, with new trilateral cooperation initiatives in energy, technology, and cross-border trade actively discussed as alternatives to their historical dependence on Western markets. China and Russia used the summit platform to propose a more inclusive and multipolar global order; India, meanwhile, leveraged the meeting to assert strategic autonomy while responding to Washington’s punitive measures.
Interestingly, the newfound warmth of the asia-centric trio of leaders has several underlying meanings and intentions to it. Looking deeper, it’s not just “Trade”, the aim of this cooperation. Russia, India and China have their own well-defined agendas tailored for this liaison. It’s no secret that Russia is running out of friends in Europe, due to the ongoing war with Ukraine. With continuous sanctions and public callouts, the West has cornered Russia, and the optics have been bad ever since the war began. Putin knows that this situation demands a permanent fix and altering the reality with the dawn of a new world order is the only sustainable way forward. When the new equation gains legs, Russia will be an important element in it, whether the West likes it or not.
On the other hand, the interests of India, advocates of civic or composite nationalism, are not merely focused on optics and powerplay. Prime Minister Modi has pure trade interests, the bigger goal being diversification of its exports from the US. India is in pursuit of new markets and lucrative trade deals, especially in China and Russia. It’s no small feat that the country is seeing beyond the tensions with China and neglecting the growls from the US as well as Europe. Furthermore, when Trump announced substantial tariffs on India in August as punishment for importing Russian oil and gas, India didn’t flinch. That pressure has played a significant role in bringing the two conflict-ridden countries together.
When it comes to China, it aims to be a true global leader, the one who doesn’t need validation from the US. Preserving this interest, China has opened the doors of its vast market for India. However, there is a certain amount of confidence powering that decision, being comprehensively aware of the fact that opening its markets is one thing, and India penetrating them is a whole new ball game.
Below are some of the core aspects of renewed India-China-Russia cooperation after the 2025 SCO summit. Despite underlying tensions, the emphasis is on strategic autonomy, multipolarity, and practical engagement.
Counter-Terrorism and Security
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All three nations pledged deeper intelligence-sharing and participation in the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), focusing on combating terrorism, extremism, and cross-border crimes.
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The Tianjin Declaration reaffirmed commitment to coordinated policies against terror and regional security threats.
Economic Integration
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Commitment to expanding trade and investment through the SCO’s 2035 Development Strategy, including reducing trade barriers and building regional value chains.
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Ongoing work toward establishing the SCO Development Bank, aimed at reducing dependence on Western financial systems and the US dollar. China pledged substantial funding and loans for SCO member projects.
Technology and Artificial Intelligence
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The countries agreed to jointly advance AI research, share technology, and build security frameworks for AI development and deployment, with the creation of a potential SCO center for AI applications.
Energy and Critical Supplies
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Expansion of cooperation for secure energy supplies, including sustainable energy, stabilized supply chains, and renewable energy partnerships. Russia and China deepened energy trade agreements, with India participating in broader regional frameworks.
Connectivity and Infrastructure
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India, China, and Russia supported major connectivity projects such as the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and Chabahar Port, as well as reopening cross-border trade and resuming flights between India and China.
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China and India discussed cooperation, though India continues to withhold support for the Belt and Road Initiative due to sovereignty concerns.
Border Stability and High-Level Dialogue
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India and China highlighted progress on border disengagement and committed to maintaining peace and stability along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), separating border issues from broader cooperation.
Multilateral Cooperation and Strategic Autonomy
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The three countries reaffirmed working together in multilateral forums (SCO, BRICS), advocating for the interests of emerging economies and a multipolar global order.
People-to-People and Cultural Exchange
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Steps to boost tourism, education exchanges, regular flights, and events such as the resumed Kailash Mansarovar Yatra signal intent for deeper societal links.