‘Leave behind endless war’: Modi, Xi Jinping and Putin defend multipolar order at SCO summit

The President of China, Xi Jinping, and Russian President Vladimir Putin met this Monday (31), at an event on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. At the meeting, the two leaders defended a multipolar international order.

“Uncertainties and unpredictable factors on the international scene have increased significantly”, acknowledged the Chinese leader, recalling that the foundations of relations between the two countries must become more solid, given the “strategic guidance and joint efforts”.

For Xi Jinping, China is willing to work with Russia and other countries to “strengthen the forces that lead the form of global governance”, promoting an “egalitarian and orderly multipolar world”.

Putin, in turn, proposed that the visa-free regime between the two countries become permanent. “We are ready to work together to make the visa-free regime permanent, if the Chinese side considers this possible and useful”, stated the president, who cited that the measure would have generated a 43% increase in bilateral tourist flow in the first half of 2026.

Since December last year, citizens have been able to enter Russian territory for up to 30 days without a visa. Formally, the measure is valid until September 14th, but the two parties agreed to extend it until the end of the year.

In addition to the meeting with the Chinese leader, Putin also met with the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. This Monday’s meeting (31) is the first between the two authorities since December 2025. “This organization works to expand and strengthen contacts between countries in the global South and East, to promote the socioeconomic and cultural development of the region and to facilitate the formation of a fair and multipolar world”, highlighted Putin.

Modi, in turn, defended the end of armed conflicts. “We need to leave behind the endless war towards the end of the war”, pointed out the Indian Prime Minister, who invited Putin to the BRICS summit, scheduled to take place in New Delhi, in September.

In addition to China, India and Russia, the SCO summit brings together countries such as Iran, Pakistan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The group turns 25 years old in 2026. This Monday’s sessions (31) precede the plenary scheduled for next Tuesday (1).