Leaders of China, Russia And India Among Heads of State Meeting to Counter U.S. Influence

CENTRAL ASIA – The leaders of China, Russia and India gathered with other heads of state in Kyrgyzstan today for the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a group billed as a counterweight to U.S. global influence.

Russian President, Vladimir Putin, met separately with Chinese president Xi Jinping, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in two of the many bilateral sessions on the sidelines of the summit. Putin affirmed to Xi Moscow’s readiness to make the visa-free regime with China permanent, and he said Russia’s relationship with India is strengthening.

Talks between Putin and the Iranian president are expected Tuesday, when the official SCO sessions begin.