Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, has stated that Western sanctions are making Russia stronger during a virtual Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit.
Putin backed trade accords between SCO nations in local currencies, seen as an attempt to blunt sanctions.
The SCO leaders expressed support for the actions of the Russian leadership to protect the constitutional order and the life and security of citizens.
Putin also welcomed Russian ally Belarus's application to become a permanent member of the SCO at the next summit.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on SCO members to boost trade, connectivity, and technology cooperation, among other things, but he did not mention China or the war in Ukraine.
Modi urged members to combat cross-border terrorism, and religious minorities should not be demonized in the pursuit of domestic political agendas.
All the members agreed on maintaining stability in
Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover.
The group has become more relevant for Russia and China as their relations with the West have deteriorated.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a political and economic organization that forms around 40% of the world's population and more than 20% of global GDP.
Iran's inclusion as a full member will boost the SCO's energy portfolio but may cause anger in Western capitals.
The SCO is increasingly pitted against Western-led forums, which may make it harder for India to strike a diplomatic balance between its different partners.
However, Indian diplomats say they are confident about maintaining an independent foreign policy without pandering to any group.
How Delhi manages its diplomacy and differences with Russia, China, and Pakistan will have an impact on the future of the SCO.