The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit has increasingly become a focal point in global diplomacy. Once seen as a regional security forum, the SCO is now evolving into a strategic platform where nations collaborate on economic, political, and defense matters. At its core, the summit reflects the changing balance of power, with multiple countries working together to counterbalance the U.S. global dominance.
In 2025, the SCO Summit holds even greater significance. With China, Russia, India, and several Central Asian states as active members, the organization represents nearly half of the world’s population and a growing share of global GDP. For many observers, the summit highlights a critical reality: the U.S. no longer enjoys uncontested leadership in shaping global affairs. Instead, new rivals are stepping forward to challenge Washington’s influence, both regionally and internationally.
This article examines the five key rivals challenging U.S. global dominance at the SCO Summit. Each of these powers plays a unique role in reshaping international politics, trade, and security, ultimately driving the emergence of a more multipolar world order.
1. China: The Central Driver of SCO Power
Key Features of China’s Role:
- Largest economy within the SCO.
- Expanding Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
- Rising influence in technology, trade, and security.
- Push for de-dollarization and alternative payment systems.
- Strategic partnership with Russia.
China stands at the forefront of challenging U.S. dominance through the SCO. As the world’s second-largest economy, Beijing leverages its economic power to expand influence across Asia, Africa, and beyond. The Belt and Road Initiative remains central, linking dozens of countries through trade, infrastructure, and investment projects that bypass Western-led institutions.
At the summit, China continues to push for de-dollarization, encouraging members to settle trade in local currencies rather than the U.S. dollar. This directly undermines one of Washington’s strongest tools of global influence: the dollar-dominated financial system.
Furthermore, Beijing is positioning itself as a technological leader, investing in AI, telecommunications, and green energy. Combined with its close strategic partnership with Russia, China emerges as the central driver of the SCO’s long-term ambition to counterbalance the West.
2. Russia: Strategic Balancer Against the West
Key Features of Russia’s Role:
- Major military power within the SCO.
- Energy dominance in oil and gas supplies.
- Strong diplomatic ties with Central Asian states.
- Coordination with China on defense initiatives.
- Resistance to NATO expansion.
Russia’s presence at the SCO Summit reinforces its role as a strategic balancer against the West. While Moscow faces sanctions and diplomatic isolation from the U.S. and Europe following the Ukraine war, the SCO provides Russia with a platform to maintain international relevance.
Energy exports remain Russia’s strongest weapon. As Europe cuts its reliance on Russian oil and gas, Moscow has redirected supplies to SCO partners, particularly China and India. This shift underscores the deepening energy axis within Eurasia, beyond Western markets.
Militarily, Russia’s participation strengthens the SCO’s security framework, offering joint military drills and intelligence sharing. Together with China, Moscow is pushing for a multipolar world order where U.S.-led alliances no longer dominate global affairs.
3. India: A Complex Rival to U.S. Influence
Key Features of India’s Role:
- Third-largest economy in the SCO after China and Russia.
- Strong domestic market and growing tech sector.
- Balances ties between the West and Eurasia.
- Advocate for South-South cooperation.
- Promoter of regional connectivity projects.
India’s role in challenging U.S. dominance is more nuanced. While New Delhi maintains strong ties with Washington, it also actively participates in the SCO to assert its independence in global decision-making.
India is seen as a swing power, leveraging its partnerships with both the West and the East. At the SCO Summit, New Delhi promotes regional connectivity projects, such as the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), which reduces reliance on Western-controlled shipping routes.
By emphasizing South-South cooperation, India strengthens its ties with developing nations that seek alternatives to U.S.-led institutions like the IMF and World Bank. Its balancing act makes it a critical rival to Washington’s monopoly on global influence, even if indirectly.
4. Iran: Emerging as a Strategic Energy Player
Key Features of Iran’s Role:
- Recently admitted as a full member of the SCO.
- Holds vast oil and natural gas reserves.
- Strong partnerships with Russia and China.
- Seeks relief from Western sanctions through SCO ties.
- Strategic location along key trade corridors.
Iran’s membership in the SCO marks a turning point in global geopolitics. Long isolated by U.S.-led sanctions, Tehran now finds itself integrated into a powerful regional bloc that provides both economic and political support.
Iran’s energy resources make it an essential strategic partner for SCO members, particularly as the world seeks alternatives to Western energy dominance. Its cooperation with China under the 25-year strategic agreement and its growing defense ties with Russia highlight its role in resisting U.S. influence.
Furthermore, Iran’s geographic position along the Middle East-Central Asia corridor gives it unique leverage in shaping trade and connectivity routes, reducing dependency on U.S.-controlled sea lanes.
5. Central Asian States: Collective Rising Influence
Key Features of Central Asian Role:
- Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan are key members.
- Rich in natural resources like oil, gas, and minerals.
- Strategic location connecting Europe and Asia.
- Seek to balance relations between major powers.
- Increasing role in regional security and trade.
The Central Asian states may not rival U.S. dominance individually, but collectively, they play a pivotal role in strengthening the SCO’s relevance. With vast natural resource reserves, these countries are vital to global energy and mineral supply chains.
Kazakhstan, for instance, is one of the world’s largest uranium exporters, while Uzbekistan holds key reserves of natural gas and rare minerals. These resources are increasingly critical in the global energy transition and are often sought by Western companies.
At the SCO Summit, Central Asian leaders assert greater independence by engaging with China, Russia, and India rather than relying on Western institutions. Their participation helps build a multipolar regional framework, reducing Washington’s influence in Eurasia.
Conclusion – 5 Rivals Challenging U.S. Global Dominance at the SCO Summit
The SCO Summit serves as a reminder that the global order is no longer shaped by the U.S. alone. Instead, rivals such as China, Russia, India, Iran, and the Central Asian states are stepping forward to challenge U.S. global dominance. Each contributes differently—through economic power, military strength, resource wealth, or geopolitical positioning—but collectively, they represent a formidable counterbalance to Washington’s influence.
As the SCO grows stronger, the world is witnessing the rise of a multipolar order where power is distributed among several nations rather than concentrated in one. This transition marks a turning point in international relations, redefining how global governance, trade, and security will be managed in the coming decades.
Table: Rivals Challenging U.S. Global Dominance at the SCO Summit
| Rival | Key Strengths | Role in SCO | Impact on U.S. Dominance |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | Economic power, BRI, tech leadership | Central driver of SCO policies | Weakens U.S. financial and trade dominance |
| Russia | Military power, energy exports | Security backbone of SCO | Counters NATO and Western sanctions |
| India | Large economy, balancing power | Independent player in SCO | Limits U.S. monopoly on global decisions |
| Iran | Energy reserves, strategic location | New member with high leverage | Reduces impact of U.S. sanctions |
| Central Asia | Natural resources, geography | Regional connectors | Diversifies power away from Washington |
FAQs on 5 Rivals Challenging U.S. Global Dominance at the SCO Summit
1. What is the SCO Summit?
The SCO Summit is a gathering of member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, focused on security, trade, and regional cooperation.
2. How does the SCO challenge U.S. dominance?
By promoting multipolarity, trade in local currencies, and regional cooperation independent of Western institutions.
3. Why is China central to the SCO?
China is the largest economy in the group and leads initiatives like the Belt and Road to expand influence.
4. What role does Russia play in the SCO?
Russia provides military strength and energy resources, countering Western sanctions and NATO pressure.
5. How does India balance its role between the U.S. and SCO?
India cooperates with both sides, maintaining ties with Washington while actively participating in SCO projects.
6. Why is Iran’s entry into the SCO significant?
It allows Iran to bypass Western sanctions and strengthens its energy and trade ties with Eurasian states.
7. How do Central Asian states influence the SCO?
They provide key resources and act as geographic bridges between major powers.
8. What does de-dollarization mean in the SCO context?
It refers to using local currencies for trade instead of relying on the U.S. dollar.
9. Is the SCO a military alliance?
No, it is not a military alliance but does conduct joint exercises and security cooperation.
10. What is the long-term goal of the SCO?
To create a multipolar world order where no single country, including the U.S., dominates global affairs.
