Shanghai Cooperation Organisation | The house of multilaterals

International Relations · 7 September 2026 · Based on The Hindu (original report)

2-minute summary

The 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, marking 25 years since its inception. The summit resulted in the Bishkek Declaration, which strongly condemned military strikes on Iran, supported Iran's sovereignty, and upheld its right to peaceful nuclear energy. In a veiled criticism of Western actions and technologies, the declaration criticized unilateral missile defense systems and termed unauthorized satellite internet services (such as Starlink) a violation of international law. India, represented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, maintained its distinct foreign policy stance by refusing to endorse China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), emphasizing instead that connectivity projects must respect territorial integrity. India also called for an end to double standards on terrorism and advocated for an inclusive government in Afghanistan. With Pakistan assuming the SCO chair next, India faces complex diplomatic decisions ahead amidst strained bilateral ties.

Why it's in the news

The 26th SCO Summit concluded in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, where member states issued a joint declaration addressing the West Asian crisis, condemning strikes on Iran, and raising concerns over unauthorized satellite internet. The summit also highlighted India's ongoing diplomatic balancing act within Eurasian forums.

Background and context

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a permanent intergovernmental international organisation established on June 15, 2001, in Shanghai. It was preceded by the 'Shanghai Five' mechanism formed in 1996 (comprising China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan). With Uzbekistan's entry in 2001, the group was renamed the SCO. India and Pakistan became full members in 2017, followed by Iran in 2023 and Belarus in 2024. The SCO focuses on strengthening mutual trust, security, and cooperation in politics, trade, economy, and culture. Its two permanent bodies are the SCO Secretariat in Beijing and the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in Tashkent.

International organisations

• Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) — An Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance. India's membership allows it to engage with Central Asian republics, counter regional terrorism through RATS, and balance its strategic partnerships between the East and the West.

Previous UPSC questions on this theme

• Mains GS-2 2021 — Critically examine the aims and objectives of SCO. What importance does it hold for India?
• Prelims GS-1 2022 — Consider the following : 1. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank 2. Missile Technology Control Regime 3. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation India is a member of which of the above ? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

Mains practice: Analyze the strategic significance of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) for India, and discuss the diplomatic challenges India faces within this grouping.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a vital Eurasian security and economic bloc. For India, the SCO holds immense strategic significance, yet it presents complex diplomatic challenges.

**Strategic Significance for India:**

• **Central Asian Outreach:** The SCO provides India with a direct institutional gateway to resource-rich Central Asian Republics, bypassing geopolitical barriers posed by Pakistan.

• **Security Cooperation:** Through the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), India collaborates on intelligence-sharing, countering radicalization, and drug trafficking.

• **Strategic Balancing:** Active participation allows India to maintain its policy of multi-alignment, balancing its pro-Western engagements (like the Quad) with Eurasian powers (Russia and China).

• **Regional Stability:** It serves as a platform to negotiate regional stability, particularly regarding the security vacuum and humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

**Diplomatic Challenges:**

• **Sovereignty vs. Connectivity:** China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)—specifically the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)—violates India's sovereignty. India remains the sole member refusing to endorse the BRI, creating internal dissonance.

• **Bilateral Friction:** Deep-seated tensions with Pakistan and China (e.g., border disputes and cross-border terrorism) limit constructive cooperation within the bloc.

• **Anti-Western Rhetoric:** The SCO is increasingly viewed as an anti-Western forum, especially with members like Russia, China, and Iran driving declarations that criticize Western policies, which complicates India's growing strategic partnerships with the US and Europe.

**Conclusion:**

India must continue to leverage the SCO to secure its security interests in Eurasia and counter cross-border terrorism, while firmly maintaining its strategic autonomy and safeguarding its territorial integrity.

Prelims practice questions

Q1. With reference to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), consider the following statements: 1. The SCO was officially established in 1996 by the Shanghai Five. 2. India and Pakistan became full members of the SCO in the same year. 3. The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) is a permanent organ of the SCO headquartered in Beijing. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: B. Statement 1 is incorrect: The Shanghai Five was formed in 1996, but the SCO was officially established as a successor organization in 2001. Statement 2 is correct: India and Pakistan both joined as full members in 2017. Statement 3 is incorrect: RATS is headquartered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, not Beijing (the SCO Secretariat is in Beijing).

Q2. The 'Bishkek Declaration', recently in the news, is associated with which of the following international groupings?

1. Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
2. BRICS
3. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
4. G20

Answer: C. The Bishkek Declaration was issued at the conclusion of the 26th Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic.

Q3. Which of the following countries are founding members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) established in 2001? 1. China 2. Russia 3. Uzbekistan 4. India Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 1, 2 and 3 only
3. 1, 2 and 4 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: B. The SCO was launched in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. India joined much later in 2017.

Revision flashcards

• Who are the founding members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)? China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan (joined at the launch in 2001).
• In which year did India and Pakistan formally join the SCO as full members? 2017, at the Astana Summit.
• Where are the two permanent organs of the SCO located? 1. SCO Secretariat: Beijing, China. 2. Executive Committee of RATS (Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure): Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
• What is India's primary objection to endorsing China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) at SCO summits? The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a key component of BRI, passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), violating India's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• Which country assumed the rotating chair of the SCO following the 2026 Bishkek Summit? Pakistan.