SCO Summit 2026: Bishkek Declaration, India’s Stance & Key Outcomes

Subject: GS Paper 2: International Relations

Context: The 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State summit took place in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

• Theme: 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”. 
• World Nomad Games: The sixth World Nomad Games opened in Bishkek on 31 August 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the opening ceremony with leaders of SCO member countries.

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About the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)

• SCO is a permanent intergovernmental international organisation focused on regional security, economic cooperation and people-to-people ties.
• Established: The SCO was established in 2001 by China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
  • The Council of Heads of State is the SCO’s supreme governing body, determining the organisation’s strategic priorities and major areas of activity.
• Headquarters: Beijing, China.
  • The SCO has a second permanent body, the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), which is headquartered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
• Membership: The SCO currently has 10 member states: China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus.
  • There are 15 countries with SCO dialogue partner status.
• Decision-making: The SCO generally operates through consensus among its member states. 
• SCO Plus: The expanded format includes leaders and representatives from partner countries and international organisations.

Key Outcomes of the SCO Summit 2026

• Bishkek Declaration: Adopted the Bishkek Declaration, marking the SCO’s 25th anniversary and outlining priorities for security, development, connectivity and wider regional cooperation.
• Universal Security Center: Regulations approved for a Universal Center for Countering Challenges and Threats to the Security of SCO Member States to strengthen cooperation against terrorism, extremism, organised crime and other transnational threats.
• English as Official SCO Language: The summit endorsed English as an official language of the SCO, alongside the existing official languages, facilitating India’s participation in the organisation.
• Anti-Narcotics Cooperation: Regulations approved for the Executive Committee of the SCO Anti-Drug Center to strengthen cooperation against drug trafficking and related transnational threats.
• Drug Addiction: A program on combating drug addiction was adopted, focusing on cooperation in prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation.
• Synthetic Drugs: A program was adopted to address the proliferation of synthetic drugs and their precursors, with emphasis on information-sharing and enforcement cooperation.
• Energy Conservation: SCO cooperation was strengthened on energy conservation and efficiency, including the exchange of technology, expertise, and best practices.
• Energy Systems: Cooperation was advanced on the development and resilience of energy systems, supporting greater energy security and technological cooperation.
• Disaster Management: An SCO framework for assistance during emergencies and natural disasters seeks stronger cooperation in early warning, capacity-building and joint response.
• Organised Crime: Cooperation was strengthened against organised and cross-border crime through enhanced coordination among law-enforcement agencies.
• Climate Change: An MoU on cooperation in combating climate change provides a framework for cooperation on climate adaptation, mitigation, and resilience.
• Information Cooperation: An MoU on cooperation in the information field promotes institutional exchanges and wider dissemination of India’s perspectives and initiatives within the SCO.
• Artificial Intelligence: An MoU on AI cooperation provides opportunities for sharing expertise, promoting responsible and inclusive AI, and expanding technology and innovation partnerships

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India’s Stance at SCO

• Security: India emphasised Security, Connectivity and Opportunity as the three key pillars for SCO cooperation and called for concrete outcomes in these areas.
• Counter-Terrorism: Called for committed action to dismantle the terror ecosystem and stressed that there should be no double standards in the fight against terrorism.
• Dialogue and Diplomacy: Reiterated that conflicts cannot be resolved on the battlefield and that dialogue and diplomacy are the only way forward.
• Afghanistan: Highlighted that peace and stability in Afghanistan are closely linked to Eurasian security and reiterated India’s development and humanitarian assistance to the country.
• Youth, Technology and Innovation: Emphasised technology, entrepreneurship, innovation, start-ups, and people-to-people exchanges as avenues for greater opportunities in SCO countries.
• Civilisational Cooperation: Proposed hosting the first SCO Civilisation Dialogue Forum to promote civilisational exchanges among member states.
• Scientific and Cultural Cooperation: Supported initiatives such as the Young Scientist Forum and Young Author’s Conclave.
• Inclusive SCO Cooperation: India expressed commitment to working with the SCO family for shared progress and prosperity.

Challenges for India in SCO

• CPEC and Connectivity Dilemma: China plays a dominant role in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) through initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). 
  • Since the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), India’s sovereignty concerns limit its ability to fully align with the SCO’s connectivity agenda. 
• Pakistan Factor: Pakistan’s membership complicates India’s engagement, as bilateral disputes and terrorism-related concerns can spill over into the SCO framework.
• Consensus-based Decision-making: SCO decisions are largely based on consensus, limiting India’s ability to advance proposals when major members such as China or Pakistan do not agree.
• Connectivity Constraints: Lack of direct land connectivity with Central Asia due to Pakistan’s denial of transit access constrains trade and energy cooperation.
  • The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and Chabahar Port offer alternative connectivity routes.
• Geopolitical Balancing: The SCO’s growing China-Russia strategic orientation can pose challenges for India, given its simultaneous expansion of engagement with the US, the QUAD, and Indo-Pacific frameworks. 
• Limited Economic Integration: Despite the SCO’s emphasis on economic cooperation, low intra-SCO trade and differing economic priorities limit the tangible economic benefits available to India.
  • India’s trade within the SCO is much smaller and less diversified than China’s and Russia.
• Divergent Interests among Members: Differences among SCO members over issues such as Ukraine, West Asia, Afghanistan, and relations with the West make it difficult for India to pursue a unified regional agenda.

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Way Forward

• Strengthen Counter-Terrorism: Promote a unified, non-discriminatory approach against terrorism, including terror financing, recruitment, radicalisation and safe havens.
• Deepen Central Asian Engagement: Use the SCO to enhance India’s economic, diplomatic, cultural and people-to-people ties with Central Asia.
• Promote Alternative Connectivity: Strengthen Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) to improve India’s connectivity with Eurasia while upholding sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• Maintain Strategic Autonomy: Balance engagement with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) and the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) through issue-based cooperation rather than bloc politics.
• Focus on Economic and Institutional Cooperation: Push for greater cooperation in trade, energy, digital economy, technology and logistics, while improving the implementation of SCO decisions.

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Conclusion

India should adopt a pragmatic and interest-based approach to the SCO, leveraging it for Eurasian connectivity, counter-terrorism and regional stability while safeguarding its strategic autonomy and national interests. 

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