Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) 2026

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a prominent regional multilateral organization that plays a crucial role in fostering cooperation in areas such as political affairs, peace, security, and sustainable development, particularly in the Asian region.

Formation and Background:

The SCO was founded in 2001 and has since evolved into a key platform for collaboration among member states, which include China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The organization initially emerged from the Shanghai Five mechanism formed in the 1990s, focusing on issues related to security, particularly border security and counter-terrorism.

Objective

The key objectives of the SCO are to:

Strengthen mutual trust, friendship and good-neighbourly relations among member states.
Maintain regional peace, security and stability through collective cooperation.
Combat terrorism, separatism and extremism, along with other transnational security threats.
Promote cooperation in trade, economy, investment, energy and connectivity.
Enhance collaboration in science, technology, education, culture, tourism and environmental protection.
Improve transport and communication linkages among member countries.
Coordinate efforts against organised crime and drug trafficking, especially where such activities finance terrorism.
Promote multilateralism and greater coordination on regional and international issues.
Work towards a more democratic, just and rational international political and economic order.

2026 SCO Summit

The 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State summit took place from August 31 to September 1, 2026, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
It marked the 25th anniversary of the founding of the SCO, with the theme “25 Years of the SCO: Together for Sustainable Peace, Development and Prosperity”.
Leaders signed the joint Bishkek Declaration, addressing regional security, economic cooperation, and global issues

SCO Bishkek Declaration 2026

Theme	Takeaways
1. Counter-Terrorism and Security	The declaration strongly condemned terrorism, separatism and extremism in all forms and rejected “double standards” in counter-terrorism. It called upon the international community to act against the cross-border movement of terrorists and opposed the use of terrorist or extremist groups for strategic purposes. It also reaffirmed the central role of the UN, UNSC resolutions and the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in combating terrorism. This is particularly significant for India, given its long-standing concerns over cross-border terrorism from Pakistan.
2. Sovereignty, Non-Interference and State Authority	SCO members reaffirmed the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs. They opposed attempts to discredit the governmental institutions of member states and stressed that sovereign governments should have the primary role in countering terrorist and extremist threats. The declaration also rejected the selective application of human-rights standards and opposed external interference under the pretext of human-rights concerns.
3. Iran and West Asia Conflict	The declaration expressed serious concern over developments in West Asia and around Iran and condemned military strikes on Iranian territory, arguing that such actions violate international law and the UN Charter and threaten international peace and stability. SCO members reaffirmed support for Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and called for resolution of the conflict through political and diplomatic means. The declaration also conveyed condolences over the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader and other victims.
4. SCO’s Strategic Character	In the backdrop of Western concerns about the SCO, the declaration clarified that the organisation is not a military-political bloc and is not directed against any state or international organisation. It emphasised that the SCO operates on the principles of openness, equality, mutual respect and non-interference, thereby projecting itself as a cooperative rather than confrontational regional platform.
5. Global Geopolitical and Economic Challenges	The declaration noted that the world is undergoing profound geopolitical, socioeconomic and technological changes. It highlighted the impact of ongoing conflicts, especially in Ukraine and West Asia, on energy security, food security, global markets and supply chains. Disruptions in the Black Sea and the Strait of Hormuz were viewed as having consequences for both developing and developed economies. Climate change was also identified as an important global challenge.
6. Human Rights and International Order	SCO members stressed that human rights are universal, indivisible and interdependent, but opposed what they described as double standards and politicisation of human-rights issues. The declaration reinforced the SCO’s preference for a world order based on sovereignty, multilateralism, international law and non-interference, rather than external pressure on domestic political systems.
7. India’s Initiatives within the SCO	Several Indian initiatives received recognition, including efforts to strengthen scientific, technological and innovation cooperation, particularly through the SCO Young Scientists Forum. Youth cooperation was also promoted through initiatives such as the SCO Young Authors Conference. The leaders welcomed the proposed SCO Civilization Dialogue Forum in India in autumn 2026. The inclusion of English as an official and working language of the SCO was also important from India’s perspective.
8. Future Presidency and India’s Diplomatic Challenge	The SCO presidency will pass to Pakistan, which is expected to host the next Council of Heads of State meeting in 2027. This will be diplomatically significant for India, which will have to balance its concerns over cross-border terrorism and Pakistan, while simultaneously managing relations with China, Russia, Iran, Israel and Western countries within and beyond the SCO framework.

India’s Role / Participation in SCO Summit 2026

Security & Counter-Terrorism: India stressed zero tolerance towards terrorism, separatism and extremism, rejection of double standards, and action against terror financing, recruitment, radicalisation and safe havens.
Security–Connectivity–Opportunity: PM Modi identified these as the three pillars of India’s SCO approach, linking regional stability with trade, growth and development.
Connectivity with Sovereignty: India supported better roads, railways, air corridors, customs, digital documentation and logistics, while insisting on respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Peace & Global South: India advocated dialogue and diplomacy for resolving conflicts and highlighted their impact on the Global South through energy insecurity, supply-chain disruption and trade instability.
Youth, Innovation & Growth: India promoted cooperation in startups, youth, innovation, entrepreneurship and economic opportunities across SCO countries.
Bilateral Engagement: PM Modi used the summit for meetings with leaders of Russia, Iran, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia, strengthening bilateral and regional cooperation.
Overall: India projected itself as a security-focused, sovereignty-conscious and development-oriented SCO member committed to peace, connectivity and regional cooperation.

Significance of SCO Summit 2026, Bishkek

25 Years of SCO: The summit marks the organisation’s 25th anniversary, reflecting its evolution from a security-focused grouping into a broader platform for Eurasian cooperation.
Platform for Eurasian Coordination: It brings major Eurasian powers together to discuss regional security, trade, connectivity, transport corridors and emerging geopolitical challenges.
Central Asia at the Core: Kyrgyzstan’s hosting highlights the growing strategic importance of Central Asia, especially for regional transport, railway connectivity and access to wider Eurasian markets.
Stronger Security Cooperation: The summit reinforces collective action against terrorism, separatism, extremism, organised crime and cyber threats through deeper institutional coordination.
Energy and Sustainable Development: Cooperation on energy security, green development, climate change, water resources and environmental protection adds a long-term development dimension to the SCO agenda.
India’s Strategic Relevance: India’s emphasis on Security, Connectivity and Opportunity, along with respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, gives the summit a more balanced development and security orientation.
Future Direction of SCO: The Bishkek summit signals a shift toward practical implementation, stronger institutional cooperation and consensus-based regionalism while accommodating diverse national interests.

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) 2026

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