Shanghai Cooperation Organization — 9DASHLINE

In Conversation with Dr Eva Seiwert, Senior Analyst, MERICS

Ahead of the 2026 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Bishkek (31 Aug – 1 Sept), 9DASHLINE spoke with Dr. Eva Seiwert about her new book, The Shanghai Cooperation Organization and China’s Vision of International Relations. Marking the SCO’s 25th anniversary, Dr. Seiwert draws on Chinese-language sources and interviews to examine how Beijing leverages the alliance to shape an alternative international order and navigate modern geopolitical crises.

In Conversation9DLAugust 27, 2026MERICS, 9DASHLINE, EVA SEIWERT, In Conversation with Dr Eva Seiwert Senior Analyst MERICS, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, SCO, China, Russia, India, Kyrgyzstan, Mercator Institute for China Studies

New episode - The SCO Summit, India’s role, and EU–ASEAN connectivity

This month, Zsuzsa and Richard are joined by Stefania Benaglia. Together they discuss the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, focusing on India’s role and strategic positioning. They also explore the evolving dynamics between the European Union and ASEAN, highlighting the latest developments in interregional cooperation.

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News9DLSeptember 17, 2025EPinASEAN, 9DASHLINE, Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy, Richard Heydarian, Indo-Pacific, ASEAN, European Parliament, The Bridge, Southeast Asia, China, India, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Association of the Southeast Asian Nations, Global gateway

The US-India partnership after Modi’s visit to Washington

Written by Satvik Pendyala and Nathaniel Sher

As the United States adapts to rising strategic competition with China, it has sought to strengthen ties with New Delhi as a key partner in the Indo-Pacific.

Power Politics9DLJuly 27, 20239dashline, The US-India partnership after Modi’s visit to Washington, Satvik Pendyala, Nathaniel Sher, Modi, US, US-China, Washington DC, Kurt Campbell, Narendra Modi, people-to-people domains, technology, defence, economy, technology sharing deals, US allies, New Delhi, strategic competition, Indo-Pacific, US-India, China-India, Ladakh, Line of Actual Control, LAC, Tsinghua University, India, influence in South Asia, beijing, US security partner, Ashley Tellis, US-China contingency, Western Pacific contingency, zone of conflict, defence cooperation, Galwan border clashes, India-China tensions, People’s Liberation Army, PLA, Western Theater Command, Depsang Plains, Tibetan Military District, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Quad, Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, IPEF, BRICS, SCO, BRI, Global Security Initiative, threat perception, security cooperation, formal ally, Taiwan Strait, South China Sea, military contingency, economic development, security interests, great power aspirations, Indian Ocean, Sino-Indian border, territorial disputes, Chinese pressure, maritime capabilities, PLA Navy, military build-up, Malacca Strait, border conflict, border territories, Brahma Chellaney, deterrence signalling, Major Defense Partner, Strategic Trade Authorization Tier 1, dual-use technologies, military technologies, joint military exercises, intelligence-sharing, critical jet technology, spaceflight, armed drones, semiconductors

Samarkand 2022 — the ‘China Dream’ of SCO Summits

Written by Giulia Sciorati

As the SCO opens to other Asian sub-regions and even the African continent, Central Asia risks losing its centrality and becoming a minor geographical area compared to the Gulf or Southeast Asia, where the national interests of SCO member states (and China, above all) are prominent.

Editor's Picks9DLOctober 12, 20229DashLine, Samarkand 2022 — the ‘China Dream’ of SCO Summits, Giulia Sciorati, Samarkand, SCO, SCO Summit, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, China, Russia, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian war, sphere of influence, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Uzbekistan, Eurasian, Samarkand Declaration, non-interference, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Xi Jinping, harmonious coexistence of man and nature, bilateral, trilateral, multilateral, multilateralism, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Wang Yi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Narendra Modi, India, SCO member states, observer states, Central Asia, India-China border dispute, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Vladimir Putin, COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19, China-Kazakhstan joint statement, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Sadyr Japarov, Iran, Belarus, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Maldives, Kuwait, UAE, myanmar, the Gulf, North Africa, South and Southeast Asia, economy, China Dream, Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), CSTO, Peacekeeping, peacekeepers, Beijing, Moscow, post-Soviet space

The rationale behind Beijing’s position on the war in Ukraine

Written by Wang Li

Beijing believes that even if Moscow’s reputation as a formidable military power has suffered a serious blow during its war in Ukraine it will be able to re-emerge as a stronger power in a short time.

In Brief: Dr Eva Seiwert, our new Associate Editor

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Eva Seiwert as our new Associate Editor. Dr Seiwert brings a wealth of experience to the role and we look forward to her work in continuing to showcase the next generation of leading thinkers while also working to connect Europe and the Indo-Pacific.

Sino-Russian relations: Inside the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

Written by Eva Seiwert

While their disagreements behind the scenes prevent the SCO from becoming a more effective security organisation, the international images of both governments benefit from their co-leadership of the world’s largest RO in terms both of geographical and population size.

Russia and China present a united front to the west – but there’s plenty of potential for friction

Written by Natasha Kuhrt

Nor has Russia been able to implement many of its ambitious plans for its ailing far eastern region, which was once central to the Asian pivot. By continuing with its Sinocentric approach, Moscow ensures the continuing overdependence on China, and so the impossibility of modernisation and diversification of the economy.

Cooperation against ISIS is low-hanging fruit for a stronger Indo-Pacific

Written by Kabir Taneja

A common target — such as ISIS — will only strengthen and build security cooperation and a common strategic agora in the Indo-Pacific and aid the development of a future geopolitical architecture which can be mutually beneficial for all like-minded participating nations.