Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on August 31, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4]. They reaffirmed their strategic alliance and expressed their intent to deepen cooperation amid growing global uncertainty. Xi said, "Uncertainties and unpredictable factors in the international situation have increased markedly... The foundations of bilateral relations would become stronger and prospects would be brighter" [3].

Putin highlighted expanding bilateral economic cooperation, noting, "Cooperation is successfully developing on all fronts. Digital innovations, including in artificial intelligence technologies, are also opening up new opportunities for the economic development of our countries" [1, 3]. He offered to make the Russia-China visa-free travel regime permanent if China agreed, citing a 43% increase in tourist flows between the two countries in the first half of 2026 [3]. "We are ready to work together to make the visa-free regime permanent if the Chinese side considers this possible and useful," Putin said [3].

Separately, Putin also met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bishkek on August 31 [5, 6, 7, 8]. The two leaders emphasized expanding bilateral ties and economic cooperation. Russia-India trade turnover increased more than 2% in the first half of 2026, while tourist exchanges grew 16% in 2025 [7, 8]. Modi said, "Discussed the full range of the India-Russia special and privileged strategic partnership. It is gladdening to see significant progress across various sectors in recent years... Focus areas remain energy, innovation, space, fertilisers and people-to-people linkages" [8].

Modi reiterated India's support for a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict, stating, "India supports all peace efforts related to Ukraine and will continue to do so, stressing that all problems should be resolved peacefully" [7]. Since 2022, India has increased imports of Russian oil despite US pressure, seeking affordable and reliable energy amid global disruptions such as the US-Israel war on Iran [5, 6]. Former Indian ambassador to the US Meera Shankar said, "India has a long-standing strategic relationship with Russia. This is not directed against any country but intended to help India meet its national goals" [5].

At the SCO summit, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met to discuss expanding economic, trade, and energy ties and continuing normalization of relations [9]. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met Aliyev to express interest in expanding bilateral relations in all fields, describing them as brotherly and friendly [10].