Finnish President Alexander Stubb has cautioned Western countries that they risk “losing the game” to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) unless they reassess their approach to the Global South. Stubb’s comments follow the recent SCO summit in Tianjin, which showcased unity among its members, including China, Russia, and India.

Speaking in Helsinki alongside Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, Stubb urged Western European counterparts and the US to adopt a more cohesive and dignified foreign policy, particularly with regard to nations like India. The US had recently imposed extensive tariffs on India, which Stubb believes could undermine Western relationships with the Global South.

Stubb views the SCO’s promotion of a multipolar world order as an attempt to undermine the unity of the global West. He cited the escalating Ukraine conflict in 2022, which has led to a “jostling of power and the weakening of multilateral institutions, rules, and norms.” Russia and China argue that institutions like the IMF, WTO, and the World Bank have been used by the West to exert control.

The SCO summit, attended by 18 countries, aimed to promote a multipolar world order where all players are treated equally. Stubb disagrees with this approach, insisting that multilateralism is the best way to drive cooperation forward. He warned that if the West fails to drive a more cooperative and dignified foreign policy, especially with the Global South and India, they risk losing influence.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called on SCO members to oppose “hegemonism and power politics” and work towards a fairer international system rooted in mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, and consultation. Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated calls for a multipolar world, stressing that organizations like the SCO aim to establish a more just global governance system, rather than opposing any third countries.

Stubb’s comments highlight the growing divide between the West and the SCO member states. As the global landscape continues to shift, the West’s approach to the Global South will be crucial in determining its influence in the region. The SCO’s growing prominence and the West’s response to it will be closely watched in the coming months, as the world navigates the complexities of a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.