The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s family photo was never going to be a perfect one.

Ten countries, four nuclear powers, four Central Asian republics, two neighbours with a complicated relationship, and enough competing interests to fill several summit rooms—yet here they are, squeezed together for the official photograph.

The dragon, naturally, takes up most of the frame. China’s size and influence within the SCO make it difficult to miss. Russia’s bear is almost as imposing, leaning into the embrace while looking distinctly unwilling to be swallowed by it. India’s tiger, meanwhile, has managed to get its head and paw out of the scrum—an animal that would rather keep its identity than disappear into the group.

Around these three, the others jostle, perch, nudge and squeeze their way into the picture. It is less a portrait of perfect unity than a caricature of geopolitical proximity.

That is perhaps the most revealing thing about the SCO. The organisation brings together countries that share an interest in security, connectivity, energy and a less Western-dominated world order. But shared interests do not necessarily mean shared ambitions. The Bishkek summit produced a declaration and more than twenty cooperation agreements, while India continued to emphasise security, sovereignty and connectivity.

So, smile for the camera.

The dragon may have its arms around everyone—but every animal still has its own idea of where it wants to stand.

A related reflection

The performance of power is only the opening act. Under the Dragon’s Umbrella explores how alliances become symbols long before they become strategy.