SCO summit: Xi meets 'old friend' Putin, duo vows to fast-track Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline project

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday (Jul 3) met with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Astana. The duo met for the second time in less than two months and the fifth time after the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian forces to strengthen their “comprehensive strategic partnership”, including enhancing defence and military cooperation.

SCO consists of four Central Asian nations, Russia, China, India, Iran and Pakistan. The group promotes common approaches to external security threats such as drug trafficking and also focuses on countering any domestic instability.

During the meeting, Putin hailed Russia's deepening partnership with China, and said, "Our comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation, are experiencing their best period in history." Xi in response called Putin his "old friend" and reaffirmed that Sino-Russian relations were at a "high level."

"In the face of the turbulent international situation and external environment, the two sides should continue to uphold the original aspiration of friendship for generations to come," Xi said.

Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline

In a major development, the duo is understood to have directed their respective national companies to urgently work out terms and conditions for the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline.

Also read: Putin, Xi vie for influence at Central Asian summit

“Work will continue on agreeing the terms and parameters. Instructions have been given to do this as soon as possible,” Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak was quoted as saying by Interfax.

China's influence in Central Asia

As Russia finds itself burdened under Western sanctions and the war in Ukraine, China is covertly expanding its influence in the region.

Also read: Kremlin says trade, economy on agenda during PM Modi`s `very important` visit to Russia

For instance, China became Kazakhstan’s largest trading partner last year, surpassing Russia, with total bilateral trade reaching $41 billion.

Who attended the meeting?

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and the presidents of Azerbaijan and Mongolia, Ilham Aliyev and Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh had arrived in Astana ahead of the meeting.

Of the biggies, China's Xi and Russia's Putin were present but Indian PM Narendra Modi gave it a miss. S Jaishankar, the foreign minister, attended the meeting instead.

PM Modi is expected in Russia later this month anyway.

(With inputs from agencies)