Why in News?

• The 26th Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from 31 August to 1 September 2026.

• The summit was hosted by Kyrgyzstan under its 2025–26 rotating chairmanship.

• The summit marked the 25th anniversary of the SCO, making it important for assessing the organisation’s evolution and future direction.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi represented India at the summit.

• The discussions covered regional security, terrorism, organised crime, connectivity, trade, energy, digital cooperation, youth, innovation and sustainable development.

Theme:

“25 Years of the SCO: Together Towards Sustainable Peace, Development and Prosperity.”

The theme highlights the SCO’s evolution from a primarily security-oriented grouping into a broader platform covering:

Security + Connectivity + Economic Cooperation + Energy + Digital Cooperation + Sustainable Development

SCO: Basic Profile

Full Name:

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

Nature:

The SCO is a Eurasian regional organisation focusing on:

• Regional security

• Counter-terrorism

• Economic cooperation

• Connectivity

• Energy cooperation

• Cultural and humanitarian exchanges

• Sustainable development

Origin:

The SCO evolved from the Shanghai Five, established in 1996.

The original Shanghai Five consisted of:

• China

• Russia

• Kazakhstan

• Kyrgyzstan

• Tajikistan

Its initial focus was largely on border security, confidence-building and regional stability.

Establishment:

The SCO was formally established on 15 June 2001 in Shanghai, China.

Uzbekistan joined the founding framework, transforming the Shanghai Five into the SCO.

Present Membership:

The SCO currently has 10 full members:

• India

• China

• Russia

• Pakistan

• Kazakhstan

• Kyrgyzstan

• Tajikistan

• Uzbekistan

• Iran

• Belarus

Expansion:

• India and Pakistan: Full members in 2017

• Iran: Full member in 2023

• Belarus: Full member in 2024

Thus, the SCO has expanded considerably beyond its original Central Asian security framework.

SCO: Institutional Structure

SCO Secretariat:

• Located in Beijing, China

• It serves as the principal permanent administrative body of the organisation.

Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure:

RATS is located in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Its broad purpose is to facilitate cooperation against:

• Terrorism

• Separatism

• Extremism

It is particularly important for intelligence-sharing, coordination and counter-terrorism cooperation.

Decision-Making:

The SCO largely operates through consensus.

This encourages:

• Consultation

• Sovereign equality

• Mutual accommodation

But it can also make strong collective action difficult when member states have conflicting interests.

Official Languages:

Chinese and Russian

Shanghai Spirit:

The SCO’s functioning is associated with the concept of the “Shanghai Spirit.”

Its major principles include:

• Mutual trust

• Mutual benefit

• Equality

• Consultation

• Respect for cultural diversity

• Common development

• Respect for sovereignty

• Non-interference in internal affairs

Significance:

The Shanghai Spirit differentiates the SCO from traditional alliance-based organisations.

It seeks cooperation without requiring members to adopt identical political or ideological positions.

SCO Summit 2026: Key Features

Host:

Kyrgyzstan

The country held the SCO’s rotating chairmanship during 2025–26.

Venue:

Yrys Ordo, Bishkek

Chair:

The summit was chaired by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov.

Anniversary:

The summit coincided with the 25th anniversary of the SCO’s establishment in 2001.

This provided an opportunity to assess:

• SCO’s institutional evolution

• Expansion of membership

• Security cooperation

• Economic integration

• Connectivity

• Future priorities

SCO Plus:

The SCO Plus format provides a broader platform involving:

• Partner countries

• Observers/other participating states

• International organisations

It demonstrates the SCO’s attempt to expand its diplomatic outreach beyond its formal membership.

Bishkek Declaration:

Preparatory discussions focused on the Bishkek Declaration, including priorities associated with the SCO’s 25th anniversary and future cooperation.

Major Agenda of SCO Summit 2026:

Regional Security:

Security remains at the core of the SCO.

Key concerns include:

• Terrorism

• Separatism

• Extremism

• Transnational organised crime

• Drug trafficking

• Cybercrime

• Emerging security threats

The organisation seeks to strengthen collective regional security mechanisms.

Counter-Terrorism:

Counter-terrorism remains one of the most important areas of SCO cooperation.

India’s Position:

India strongly advocates:

“No double standards in combating terrorism.”

India’s position is that terrorism should be condemned and countered irrespective of its geographical origin, political justification or stated motivation.

Importance:

The issue is particularly significant because SCO includes countries located in and around:

• Central Asia

• Afghanistan’s neighbourhood

• South Asia

• Eurasia

Therefore, instability in one part of the region can have cross-border consequences.

Organised Crime:

The SCO is also strengthening cooperation against transnational organised crime.

Major threats include:

• Drug trafficking

• Human trafficking

• Arms trafficking

• Money laundering

• Cybercrime

• Terror financing

• Cross-border criminal networks

The proposed International Centre for Combating Organised Crime reflects efforts to move from broad political commitments towards greater institutional cooperation.

Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies:

Rapid digitalisation has created new regional security challenges.

The SCO agenda increasingly covers:

• Cyber attacks

• Cybercrime

• Digital fraud

• Critical infrastructure attacks

• Misuse of digital technologies

• Technology-enabled organised crime

Emerging Concern:

Artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies can generate both:

Development opportunities + new security vulnerabilities

Therefore, digital cooperation is increasingly connected with national security and economic development.

Connectivity: A Major SCO Priority:

Central Asia occupies a strategically important position between:

China ↔ Central Asia ↔ Russia ↔ Europe ↔ South Asia ↔ West Asia

Improved connectivity can:

• Reduce transportation costs

• Increase trade

• Improve access to markets

• Strengthen regional integration

• Diversify supply chains

• Promote economic development

China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan Railway:

The China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway is an important regional connectivity project.

Potential Benefits:

• Better China–Central Asia connectivity

• Faster movement of goods

• Greater regional trade

• Improved access to Eurasian markets

• Strengthening of Central Asian economic integration

Strategic Significance:

For Central Asian states, improved rail connectivity can reduce geographical isolation and enhance their role as transit hubs.

India’s Connectivity Approach:

India supports connectivity but emphasises:

Sovereignty + Territorial Integrity + Transparency + International Law + Mutual Consultation

India’s position is particularly important in the context of infrastructure projects crossing disputed or sensitive territories.

India’s Principle:

Connectivity should create economic opportunities without compromising the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.

Economic Cooperation:

The SCO seeks to increase:

• Intra-SCO trade

• Investment

• Economic partnerships

• Transit cooperation

• Supply-chain integration

• Trade facilitation

Potential:

The SCO collectively represents a vast geographical area with:

• Major consumer markets

• Large energy reserves

• Important transport corridors

• Significant natural resources

Limitation:

Economic integration remains relatively weak because of:

• Political differences

• Trade barriers

• Sanctions

• Different economic systems

• Currency-related difficulties

• Geopolitical tensions

Thus, large economic potential has not yet translated into deep economic integration.

Energy Security:

Energy is another major area of SCO cooperation.

The region possesses substantial:

• Oil

• Natural gas

• Coal

• Hydropower potential

• Renewable-energy resources

Proposed SCO Energy Consortium:

The idea of an SCO Energy Consortium reflects efforts to improve:

• Energy cooperation

• Energy security

• Investment

• Technology cooperation

• Long-term energy planning

India’s Interest:

Greater Eurasian energy cooperation can potentially contribute to India’s:

• Energy diversification

• Long-term energy security

• Access to new energy markets

Sustainable Development:

The 2026 summit places greater emphasis on the connection between:

Development + Environment + Security

Priority areas include:

• Climate change

• Green energy

• Biodiversity

• Water resources

• Sustainable infrastructure

• Environmental protection

Central Asia: Environment–Security Link:

Central Asian countries face growing challenges related to:

• Water scarcity

• Glacier retreat

• Climate change

• Desertification

• Ecosystem degradation

These problems can affect:

Water Security → Food Security → Energy Security → Human Security → Regional Stability

Therefore, environmental cooperation is increasingly becoming a strategic issue, rather than merely an ecological issue.

Development Finance:

The SCO has discussed mechanisms to strengthen financing for regional development projects.

The proposal for an SCO Development Bank reflects the objective of:

• Financing infrastructure

• Supporting regional projects

• Encouraging investment

• Reducing dependence on external financing

However, differences among members regarding institutional design, financing and economic priorities remain important challenges.

Humanitarian Cooperation:

The SCO also promotes cooperation in:

• Education

• Culture

• Tourism

• Sports

• Youth exchanges

• Science and technology

• People-to-people contacts

Such cooperation can strengthen social and cultural connectivity alongside physical connectivity.

India’s Participation at SCO Summit 2026:

India’s participation can be understood through three broad pillars:

Security → Connectivity → Opportunity

Security:

India emphasised:

• Zero tolerance towards terrorism

• Collective counter-terrorism action

• Opposition to double standards

• Stronger regional security cooperation

Connectivity:

India supports:

• Transparent connectivity

• Respect for sovereignty

• Territorial integrity

• International law

• Mutual consultation

Opportunity:

India seeks greater cooperation in:

• Start-ups

• Innovation

• Youth

• Digital economy

• Entrepreneurship

• Skill development

India’s Focus on Youth and Start-ups:

India advocates using the SCO platform to create greater opportunities for the region’s young population.

Potential areas include:

• Start-up ecosystems

• Innovation

• Digital entrepreneurship

• Skill development

• Technology exchange

• Youth exchanges

Significance:

This shifts the SCO agenda from merely state-centric security towards people-centric development.

India–Russia Engagement:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the summit.

The discussions covered:

• India–Russia bilateral relations

• Russia–Ukraine conflict

• Regional developments

• Wider strategic cooperation

Significance for India:

The SCO provides India with an important platform for maintaining engagement with Russia while simultaneously pursuing its broader policy of strategic autonomy.

India and Central Asia:

The SCO is particularly valuable for India’s engagement with Central Asian countries:

• Kazakhstan

• Kyrgyzstan

• Tajikistan

• Uzbekistan

India’s Interests:

Energy + Connectivity + Security + Trade + Critical Resources

India’s engagement with Central Asia is constrained by geographical limitations, particularly the lack of direct land connectivity.

Therefore, multilateral platforms such as the SCO provide an important diplomatic channel.

Strategic Importance of SCO for India:

Eurasian Presence:

SCO gives India a platform to participate in Eurasian regional diplomacy.

Central Asian Engagement:

It strengthens India’s institutional engagement with Central Asian republics.

Counter-Terrorism:

RATS provides an established mechanism for counter-terrorism cooperation.

Energy Security:

Engagement with Russia, Iran and Central Asian countries has implications for India’s long-term energy interests.

Connectivity:

India can advocate connectivity projects linking South Asia with Central Asia and Eurasia.

Strategic Autonomy:

SCO allows India to engage with China, Russia, Iran, Central Asia and Pakistan within the same multilateral framework.

Why SCO Matters Geopolitically:

The SCO brings together several major Eurasian powers.

It includes:

China + Russia + India + Iran + Central Asian states + Pakistan + Belarus

Therefore, it has significance in:

• Eurasian geopolitics

• Global energy security

• Counter-terrorism

• Connectivity

• Trade

• Strategic competition

• Emerging multipolarity

Emerging Multipolar Order:

The SCO reflects the broader trend towards a more multipolar international system, where regional organisations outside traditional Western-led frameworks are becoming increasingly significant.

However, SCO should not simply be described as an anti-Western alliance.

Its members have diverse interests and often cooperate selectively.

Major Challenges Before SCO:

India–China Strategic Competition:

Border tensions and wider strategic competition can restrict deeper cooperation.

India–Pakistan Tensions:

Bilateral tensions can affect the functioning of multilateral forums.

Russia–West Conflict:

The Russia–Ukraine conflict has created significant geopolitical divisions among SCO members and external powers.

Divergent National Interests:

SCO members have different:

• Security priorities

• Economic models

• Foreign-policy objectives

• Regional interests

This makes consensus difficult.

Weak Economic Integration:

Despite enormous combined economic potential, intra-SCO trade remains below its potential.

Connectivity Disputes:

Infrastructure projects can generate concerns regarding:

• Sovereignty

• Strategic dependence

• Transparency

• Debt sustainability

• Geopolitical influence

Consensus-Based Decision-Making:

Consensus protects sovereign equality but can also result in slow or diluted outcomes.

SCO: Strengths and Limitations:

SCO vs Traditional Military Alliances:

The SCO should not be viewed as a conventional military alliance.

Unlike NATO:

• It does not have a collective-defence provision comparable to Article 5 of NATO.

• Members retain considerable strategic autonomy.

• Cooperation is based heavily on consultation and consensus.

• Its agenda extends beyond military security into economy, connectivity, culture and development.

Therefore:

SCO = Regional Cooperation Platform, not a conventional military alliance.

SCO’s Changing Nature:

Earlier Focus:

Border security → terrorism → separatism → extremism

Emerging Focus:

Security → Connectivity → Trade → Energy → Digitalisation → Climate → Sustainable Development

This represents the SCO’s transition from a security-centric organisation towards a broader regional cooperation platform.

Critical Analysis:

The SCO has considerable geopolitical weight, but size does not automatically translate into institutional effectiveness.

Its strengths include:

• Large membership

• Strategic geography

• Energy resources

• Major economies

• Counter-terrorism institutions

• Growing connectivity agenda

But its effectiveness is constrained by:

• India–China rivalry

• India–Pakistan tensions

• Russia–West confrontation

• Different national priorities

• Consensus-based decision-making

Therefore, the SCO’s future relevance will depend on its ability to move from political declarations to practical implementation.

Way Forward:

Strengthen Counter-Terrorism Cooperation:

Improve:

• Intelligence-sharing

• Terror-financing monitoring

• Information exchange

• Joint action against organised crime

Promote Sustainable Connectivity:

Infrastructure projects should follow:

Transparency + Sovereignty + Territorial Integrity + Environmental Sustainability

Deepen Economic Cooperation:

Focus on:

• Trade facilitation

• Digital payments

• Investment

• Supply chains

• Customs cooperation

Strengthen Environmental Cooperation:

Prioritise:

• Water security

• Glacier conservation

• Climate adaptation

• Renewable energy

• Biodiversity

Promote Digital Cooperation:

Develop common approaches towards:

• Cybercrime

• Digital security

• Emerging technologies

• Responsible AI

• Critical infrastructure protection

Increase People-to-People Cooperation:

Expand:

• Student exchanges

• Tourism

• Cultural programmes

• Scientific cooperation

• Youth and start-up networks

Improve Institutional Effectiveness:

The SCO needs stronger mechanisms for monitoring implementation, financing projects and measuring outcomes.