The show of unity at the SCO summit in Tianjin between Vladimir Putin, Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping is expected to influence geopolitical balances well beyond Asia. The alignment of the three powers carries implications for Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe and the United States, reshaping alliances and economic strategies.
Southeast Asia: balancing act intensifies
For Southeast Asian nations, closer cooperation between Russia, India and China could create both opportunities and pressures. China is already the region’s largest trading partner, while India has steadily expanded economic and defence ties with ASEAN. The summit’s message of multipolarity may push Southeast Asian countries to navigate more carefully between Western security frameworks and deepening Asian partnerships. Issues such as South China Sea tensions and trade integration under RCEP could gain renewed urgency as Beijing signals greater confidence.
Africa: alternative partnerships
African states are likely to view the trio’s unity as a chance to diversify partnerships. Russia has increased its footprint through security and energy deals, while China remains the dominant investor in infrastructure. India has expanded its presence in education, healthcare and technology. Together, the three powers could position themselves as an alternative to Western aid and finance, reinforcing Africa’s strategic leverage but also raising questions about dependency and political influence.
Europe: heightened strategic anxiety
For Europe, the summit underscores the challenge of dealing with a more cohesive Eurasian bloc. Putin’s insistence that NATO expansion must be addressed as part of any Ukraine peace settlement places Europe directly in the diplomatic spotlight. The continent faces the dual challenge of sustaining sanctions on Russia while competing with China and India for influence in global trade and energy markets. Europe’s internal debates over defence spending and industrial competitiveness are likely to intensify in response.
United States: testing alliances
In Washington, the symbolism of the Xi–Putin–Modi embrace will be viewed as a test of America’s strategic resilience. The Biden administration, already grappling with economic frictions over tariffs and geopolitical strains in the Indo-Pacific, may find its alliances tested by India’s visible closeness to Russia and China. The US is likely to redouble efforts to strengthen ties with Japan, South Korea, Australia and ASEAN members to counterbalance the emerging bloc, but tensions over trade and security commitments could complicate its approach.
Looking ahead
The Tianjin summit highlights a shifting global order where emerging power centres are asserting themselves with confidence. For Southeast Asia and Africa, it presents new opportunities but also dilemmas over alignment. For Europe and the US, it signals the need to recalibrate strategies in the face of an increasingly coordinated challenge to Western influence.
REFH – Newshub, 1 September 2025
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