Key Outcomes of the 26th SCO Summit
Institutional Developments
- Bishkek Declaration: Leaders signed and issued the declaration reaffirming cooperation on regional peace, security, development
- SCO Charter Amendments: Protocol approved allowing newer members like India to actively participate in shaping the organization's future framework
- English as Official Language: Added alongside Russian and Chinese, reflecting India's contribution during its 2022-23 Presidency
Security Measures
- Universal Centre for Countering Challenges and Threats: Regulations approved to establish mechanism for enhanced intelligence sharing against terrorism, extremism, and organized crime
- SCO Anti-Drug Centre: Regulations approved on Executive Committee; adopted programmes on combating drug addiction and synthetic drugs up to 2030
Economic and Connectivity Initiatives
- Ports and Logistics Action Plan: 2026-2030 plan for development across member states
- Green Technology Corridor: Framework established for SCO "Green Technology Corridor"
- SCO-CSTO-CIS Roadmap: Trilateral cooperation roadmap approved
- SCO-African Union MoU: Decision to sign memorandum expanding engagement with regional organisations
Pakistan's Chairmanship (2026-2027)
- Theme: "Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity"
- Lahore designated as SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital for 2026-2027
India's Engagement at the Summit
Three Pillars of Engagement
- Security: Dismantling terror ecosystem through unified approach
- Connectivity: Sovereignty in all connectivity projects
- Opportunity: Economic development and innovation
Key Positions Taken
- Counter-Terrorism: Called for dismantling financing and safe havens without employing "double standards"
- Global Conflicts: Reiterated that conflicts cannot be resolved on the battlefield; dialogue and diplomacy are essential
- Connectivity Sovereignty: Stressed all projects must respect sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations (indirect critique of BRI and CPEC)
Indian-Led Initiatives Endorsed
- SCO Young Scientists Forum: Strengthen scientific and technical cooperation
- SCO Young Authors Conference: Academic collaboration
- SCO Civilisation Dialogue Forum: First edition to be hosted by India in 2026
About Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
Background
- Established: 2001 in Shanghai, China
- Predecessor: Shanghai Five mechanism (China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan)
Membership Structure
| Category | Countries |
|---|---|
| Member States (10) | China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Iran, Belarus |
| Observer States | Afghanistan, Mongolia |
| Dialogue Partners | Azerbaijan, Armenia, Bahrain, Egypt, Cambodia, Qatar, Kuwait, Laos, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Sri Lanka |
Key Statistics
- Global GDP Share: ~25%
- World Population: >40%
- Secretariat: Beijing, China
Core Objectives
- Strengthen mutual trust and regional peace
- Combat the "Three Evils": Terrorism, Separatism, and Extremism
- Address new challenges and threats collectively
Organisational Structure
- Heads of State Council (HSC): Supreme decision-making body
- Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS): Permanent organ headquartered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Significance of SCO for India
Security and Counter-Terrorism
- Access to RATS mechanism for intelligence sharing
- Joint counter-terrorism exercises crucial for border security
- Addresses cross-border terrorism from neighbourhood
Central Asian Connectivity
- Direct diplomatic and economic gateway to resource-rich Central Asian Republics
- Access to hydrocarbons and uranium resources
- Complements India's Connect Central Asia Policy
Strategic Autonomy and Multi-Alignment
- Engagement with SCO (China-Russia) while remaining core Quad member (US, Japan, Australia)
- Exercises policy of multi-alignment in multipolar world
- Promotes multipolar world order
Key Challenges and Way Forward
| Challenge | Way Forward |
|---|---|
| Decision-Making: Consensus-based approach hindered by India-Pakistan tensions and India-China disputes | Develop confidence-building and dispute-management mechanisms |
| Geopolitical Balance: Perception as anti-Western bloc conflicts with India's strategic autonomy | Preserve SCO as non-bloc, inclusive platform |
| Terrorism & Security: RATS has limited enforcement capacity; inconsistent approaches | Strengthen RATS through common databases and coordinated action |
| Economic Cooperation: China's dominance creates trade imbalances | Promote balanced economic cooperation and equitable financing |
| Connectivity: Competing initiatives (BRI, INSTC, Trans-Caspian routes) | Develop interoperable corridors; harmonise customs procedures |
SCO Plus Format
- Purpose: Expanded multilateral dialogue including non-member states and international organisations
- 2026 Theme: "The UN as a Key Element of a Just World Order: The Contribution of the SCO Plus States in Formation of a Multipolar World"
- Focus on global challenges and multipolarity
Constitutional/Policy Context
- India's strategic autonomy policy
- Multi-alignment as foreign policy principle
- Sovereignty and territorial integrity under UN Charter
- Counter-terrorism cooperation under various international frameworks