Moscow, Russia, September 5: Russian President Vladimir Putin has emphasized that Russia’s cooperation with the Global South stems from shared interests rather than political calculations or short-term geopolitical shifts, according to RT.
Speaking after the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit held from August 31 to September 1, Putin said Moscow’s engagement with partners in Asia, Africa, and Latin America predates current political tensions and is anchored in long-term economic and strategic goals.
‘Not Conditioned by Political Waves’
Putin cited Russia’s partnership with China, noting it began over 20 years ago—long before recent tensions with Western countries.
“Our cooperation with the Global South is not related or conditioned by the current political situation. It is shaped by mutual shared interests, complementary economies, and common values,” he said.
He added that ties with the Asia-Pacific region and other partners are based on “traditional values” and a “shared vision” for development.
The ‘Dragon, Elephant, and Bear’ Metaphor
Putin also addressed a popular media metaphor describing cooperation between China (dragon), India (elephant), and Russia (bear). He noted that the term was coined after Chinese President Xi Jinping first used the dragon-elephant analogy, with the bear later representing Russia.
“In the Far East, though, the biggest animal here is the local tiger,” Putin quipped, suggesting that the tiger might be a better symbol for the region’s partnership.
The remarks came at the conclusion of the SCO Summit, where leaders from Asia, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, discussed economic cooperation, regional security, and the evolving global order.