At the most recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, a clear diplomatic picture appeared that showed how the geopolitical situation in Eurasia is changing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Russian President Vladimir Putin all spoke on the same stage. At the same time, Pakistan, which former U.S. President Donald Trump called a “favourite” ally, became more and more alone.
China Turns Away from Pakistan
China has been seen as Islamabad’s “all-weather friend” for a long time. But at the SCO Summit, Beijing made it very clear that working with India on economic, security, and regional stability issues is now very important to them. In the past, Pakistan could often count on China’s unwavering support at foreign meetings. This is a big change from that.
The fact that President Xi and PM Modi talked for a long time about trade, fighting terrorists, and managing borders was telling. Pakistan, on the other hand, was barely brought up in either bilateral or international talks.
Where is the Trump support for Shehbaz Sharif?
Pakistan’s almost complete absence from the meeting may have been the most noticeable thing about it. Shehbaz Sharif was once seen as a close ally of Donald Trump’s government, but he was pushed to the sidelines on a stage where South Asian influence was being redefined. While Modi, Xi, and Putin got all the press, Pakistan’s absence from major talks showed how little power Islamabad has these days.
Putin’s Secret Message
Russia’s lack of attention was more like a cold shoulder than a cold shoulder. Along with India, President Vladimir Putin decided to work together on energy, defence, and keeping the peace in the region. This is a strong message from Moscow: they see New Delhi as a safer and stable partner in the multipolar world order.
The fact that Moscow didn’t say anything important about Pakistan shows how irrelevant it has become. Even though Russia did sometimes deal with Pakistan in the past, it never had the same level of strategic depth with India as it does now.
Trump’s Wrong Bet on Pakistan
The changes at the SCO also show that Trump’s stance toward Pakistan while he was president may have been wrong. In the past, Washington saw Pakistan as a useful tool in Afghanistan. Now, major powers like China and Russia see Islamabad as a threat instead of a friend.
On the other hand, India is a partner that no world leader can ignore because of its rising economic power, stable democracy, and role as a check on Western dominance.
A New Reality in Geopolitics
The SCO Summit has been a wake-up call for Pakistan. Islamabad’s power is quickly eroding as both its closest friend, China, and a major world power, Russia, turn their backs on it. For India, the summit showed that it was becoming more important, solidifying its position as an important voice in Asian and global policy.
