SCO Summit 2025:How the SCO Challenges U.S. Dominance

The world may have just witnessed a turning point in international politics. The recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit held in China has not only brought global attention but has also raised questions about the existing world order. For decades, the United States has enjoyed the role of a unilateral superpower—a kingdom of America, so to speak. But with China’s Xi Jinping, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, and India’s Narendra Modi sharing the same frame, the Western world is beginning to feel the tremors of change.

Interestingly, Western media is less critical of these leaders and more frustrated with Donald Trump. Since his election, Trump promised to “make America great again.” Yet, according to some American officials, his policies have had the opposite effect: he pushed America’s adversaries closer together, placing U.S. global dominance at risk.

Why the World is Watching the SCO

The SCO summit became the epicenter of international debate because it signals cooperation among nations that the U.S. has long considered rivals. Modi’s attendance was especially significant—this was his first visit to China for the SCO since 2018, after years of border tensions. The symbolism of his presence was not lost on the world. Discussions on regional security, economic partnerships, and political cooperation highlighted the growing influence of this bloc.

At the heart of Western anxiety lies the concept of the RIC Trioka—Russia, India, and China. This idea was first floated in 1998 by Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov, envisioning a strategic alliance to counterbalance Western dominance. For years, the U.S. tried to undermine it. Billions of dollars were invested, and strategic favors—such as granting India permission to develop intercontinental missiles—were extended to keep India aligned with the West.

For a while, these efforts seemed successful. Border clashes between India and China froze the idea of RIC cooperation. From 2020 to 2025, no significant RIC meetings were held. But the SCO summit has reignited conversations about whether this alliance could resurface in a new form.

RIC: A Counterweight to the West?

Western countries, particularly under U.S. leadership, have dominated global institutions like the IMF, World Bank, FATF, and the G7. These platforms allowed the West to dictate financial flows, impose sanctions, and maintain political leverage. But imagine the weight of a combined RIC bloc:

Population: India and China together represent more than half of the world’s people.

Economic Power: The combined GDP of RIC nations is estimated at around $54 trillion.

Military & Land Mass: Russia and China bring formidable military strength and vast territories.

If mobilized effectively, this trio could challenge not just the West’s economic grip but also its political and military influence. It could rival the G7, question U.S. dollar dominance, and disrupt the status quo of global governance.

The Dollar, BRICS, and MBridge

( if you want Dollar Vs BRICS details link)

Another key factor troubling Washington is the rise of dedollarization. Initiatives like BRICS and China’s MBridge payment system are offering alternatives to SWIFT, the Western-dominated global financial network. Unlike SWIFT, MBridge operates on blockchain technology, offering cheaper, faster, and decentralized transactions. With countries like the UAE already onboard, this could erode America’s financial monopoly.

China has also launched the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed), seen as an alternative to the UN framework. Moves like this suggest Beijing’s long-term ambition to reshape the rules of global order itself.

The Fragility of RIC

Yet, questions remain: can the RIC really succeed? India’s balancing act raises doubts. While China and Russia move further from the U.S., India often positions itself as a Western partner, benefiting from American concessions. Critics call India a “hypocritical player” that may tilt the balance in favor of the West at any time.

Moreover, unresolved regional issues—from the Tianjin Declaration on Pakistan-India disputes to ongoing crises in Gaza and Ukraine—complicate unity within RIC. Still, one fact is undeniable: Russia and China are now firmly outside America’s orbit, and India’s presence at the SCO shows at least a willingness to engage.

Conclusion: End of the American Kingdom?

The SCO summit has reminded the world that the era of a unilateral American kingdom may be ending. While the West remains powerful, its dominance is no longer absolute. The rise of multilateral platforms like SCO, the revival of RIC discussions, and financial innovations such as MBridge suggest that a multipolar world is emerging.

The real question now is not whether change is coming—it is how fast.