The 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, carries significant geopolitical importance in an increasingly disrupted world order. The SCO represents a group of countries from the Eurasian region and accounts “for 42 per cent of the world’s population and 36 per cent of the world’s GDP”. It provides strategic depth by prioritising their shared interests while strengthening their multilateral cooperation. The organisation serves as a bridge with Central Asia for India as far as its strategic interests are concerned. It is critically relevant in facilitating major discussions on political and security issues while sharing the table with counterpart leaders at the Summit. Amid the fragmented world order, the leaders at the Summit, instead of discussing bilateral frictions and confronting contentious issues, focused on shared global challenges within the framework of multilateral cooperation. India has pursued its balancing act while staying engaged with each partner- Russia, China, Iran and Central Asian nations- while avoiding bloc politics.
The marking of 25 years of dialogues and deliberations on regional and global challenges, while strengthening mutual trust, cooperation, and shared commitments among members. The SCO emerged as a significant regional forum promoting peace, security and stability across the Eurasian region. The 26th SCO Council of Heads of State Summit, alongside the SCO Plus meetings (attended by dialogue partners, observers and guest countries from the Global South and Southeast Asia) was held in Kyrgyzstan from 31August to 1September 2026. The Summit focused on major issues related to “politics, security, trade, investment, energy, industry, ecology, tourism, and new technologies”, within the motto of “25 Years of the SCO: Together for Sustainable Peace, Development and Prosperity”.
The Summit concluded with the adoption of several key documents, including the Bishkek Declaration, signed by all member states along with 27 other documents. In the joint statement of the Bishkek Declaration, the SCO leaders stressed the “three evils” (terrorism, separatism, extremism) as the biggest challenge to combating terrorism. They condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and rejected using terrorism for “selfish purposes”.
The SCO condemned “military strikes on Iranian territory and breaching Iran’s sovereignty and integrity” which violated the principles of International Law and the norms of the UN Charter, jeopardising international peace, security and stability. Therefore, they called for de-escalation of the conflict in West Asia through diplomatic approaches to ensure peace and security in the region.
The SCO Plus undertook the theme of “The UN as a Key Element of a Just World Order: The Contribution of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation”, which underlined the institutional reforms within the multilateral Organisation, favouring equal participation in global governance. They rejected bloc-based and confrontational approaches in addressing international and regional issues and reaffirmed support for peaceful measures of resolving disputes and disagreements between states.
The rotating presidency under the Kyrgyz chairmanship was for the year 2025-2026, and the next summit will be held in Lahore, with Pakistan assuming the chairmanship for the year 2026-2027 next year under the theme of “Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity”.
India’s Strategic Takeaways
In an unpredictable world structure, the SCO Summit holds geopolitical and geostrategic relevance for India. As India’s Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, shared the stage with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, it provided a significant opportunity for India to address its concerns on global challenges and priorities without becoming part of alliance politics.
India’s bilateral meeting on the margins of the SCO Summit further reflected this approach. Before the multilateral discussion, PM Modi’s bilateral talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reviewed Indo-Iran relations and the continuing crisis in West Asia. The Iranian President emphasised India’s strategic position and capacities in the region and the world that can help in ensuring peace, stability and security. He requested PM Modi “to use India’s extensive contacts with various parties” in navigating insecurity and conflict and initiate a dialogue process. PM Modi underscored the severity of the crisis in West Asia disrupting global “energy security, sea routes, trade and supply chains”. He focused on strengthening cooperation with Tehran and support in efforts to resolve the conflict through dialogues and diplomacy.
The meeting withPresident Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation, PM Modi’s discussion focused on the progress of their relations in the areas of political, economic, defence, energy, space, mobility and people-to-people ties. They addressed mutual concerns related to conflicts in the West and the Black Sea region, especially their impact on maritime trade and the safety and security of Indian seafarers. India’s continued engagement with Russia while preserving its longstanding ties and building resilience in the face of complex geopolitical complexities.
At the SCO Summit, India underscored its vision and policy, strengthening multilateral cooperation based on three pillars: “Security (S), Connectivity (C) and Opportunity (O)”. The biggest security challenge is terrorism, which poses a serious threat to humanity. In the fight against terrorism, it cannot be restricted “to an action-reaction approach”. PM Modi stated that “we must dismantle the entire terror ecosystem” of terrorist financing, recruitment, and radicalisation, and there should be no “double standards” in combating terrorism. Therefore, India warned states that “use terrorism as an instrument of policy”, and provide shelter and support to terrorism “can never be a strategic asset for anyone”. He further remarked that Eurasian security is directly connected with peace and stability in Afghanistan. Therefore, India’s contribution to development and humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan will remain consistent.
India highlighted the importance of strong and trusted connectivity through building roads, railways, airways, ports and trade routes, making it feasible for countries to increase economic growth and enhance shared progress and prosperity. However, connectivity-backed corridors linking markets and facilitating trade opportunities should “respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations“. India’s ambitions for the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC) along its connection to Chabahar Port in Iran, which provides access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, could make India’s trade and strategic connectivity more efficient.
In the increasingly competitive global economic environment, cooperation on modern economies, “comprising technology, entrepreneurship, innovation, start-ups and people-to-people initiatives”, offers broader opportunities especially among young people across the SCO countries. Therefore, increasing youth initiatives such as “Start-up Forum, the Young Authors’ Conclave, and the Young Scientists Forum within the SCO” can generate greater employment, business and economic opportunities, strengthening scientific, technical and innovative cooperation. Moreover, the PM committed to organising the first edition of the “SCO Civilisation Dialogue Forum” this year to enhance civilisational exchanges among the SCO states.
During the SCO Summit, India shared the stage with key partners, including Russia, Iran and China, presenting a strategic opportunity for New Delhi to engage diplomatically on shared challenges and areas of common interest such as terrorism, climate change and energy security. However, the SCO Summit primarily serves as a platform for multilateral cooperation. In contrast, the upcoming BRICS Summit on 12-13 September in New Delhi and, more importantly, the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping, will provide a broader perspective on India’s bilateral issues and engagements. As a forum representing the voice of Global South countries, the BRICS summit holds strategic relevance not just for India but also for the United States or Europeans countries.
Perspective The largest regional organisation in Eurasia represents almost 40 per cent of the world population. Based on a framework of multilateral cooperation, it serves as a platform for political, economic and security cooperation. India’s presence in the SCO Summit reflects its own strategic interests, while also contributing to addressing global challenges and promoting peace and security rather than conflicts and crises. India follows a policy of strategic autonomy, adopting a “balancing act” without participating in bloc politics. Simultaneously, it promotes multilateralism and advocates representation of the Global South countries at the international stage. Therefore, for India, the SCO is strategically crucial for addressing regional and global challenges through multilateral cooperation, strengthening security and enhancing connectivity with Central Asia.
