• The 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of State Summit was held in Tianjin, China, from August 31 to September 1, 2025.
  • Theme : “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move”
  • Significance: PM Modi’s first visit to China in 7 years
  • India's Stand: Security, sovereignty, and solidarity in Eurasian multilateralism

WHAT IS SCO?

  • A regional intergovernmental organisation focused on political, economic, and security cooperation among Eurasian countries.
  • Originated as the “Shanghai Five” in 1996 (China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan)
  • Formally established as SCO: 2001, Shanghai
  • Headquarters: Beijing, China
PM MODI IN SCO SUMMIT explained for UPSC

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

Decision-Making Bodies
  • Council of Heads of States (CHS): Supreme body, meets annually
  • Council of Heads of Government (CHG): Prime Ministers, meets annually for economic cooperation strategy
Standing Bodies
  • Secretariat: Beijing (Secretary General: Zhang Ming, China - since Jan 1, 2022)
  • Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS): Tashkent (Director: R.E. Mirzaev, Uzbekistan - since Jan 1, 2022)
  • Terms: 3-year appointments by CHS

CURRENT MEMBERSHIP

Member States (10)
  • Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
Observer States (2)
  • Afghanistan, Mongolia
Dialogue Partners (14)
  • Azerbaijan, Armenia, Bahrain, Egypt, Cambodia, Qatar, Kuwait, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Sri Lanka

CORE OBJECTIVES

Area Goals
Security Combat terrorism, separatism, extremism (Three Evils doctrine)
Geopolitics Promote multipolarity, oppose unilateralism
Sovereignty Uphold non-interference in internal affairs
Economy Promote trade, investment, connectivity, and energy cooperation
People-to-People Foster cultural exchange, youth engagement, traditional knowledge sharing

PM MODI’S SPEECH

Opening Remarks
  • Thanked President Xi Jinping for hosting.
  • Extended greetings to Uzbekistan (Independence Day) and Kyrgyzstan (National Day).

PILLAR 1: “S” FOR SECURITY

  • Security, peace, and stability are the foundation of development.
  • Terrorism is not just a national but global threat.
  • Condemned the April 22 Pahalgam attack (26 killed).
  • Called out nations openly supporting terrorism, implying Pakistan.
  • India led Joint Information Operation under SCO-RATS to target Al-Qaeda.
  • Proposed enhanced coordination against radicalisation & terror financing.
  • Asserted: "No double standards on terrorism will be acceptable."

PILLAR 2: “C” FOR CONNECTIVITY (SOVEREIGNTY FIRST)

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PM Modi’s Message:

  • “Connectivity fosters not just trade, but trust.”
  • “Connectivity that bypasses sovereignty loses trust and meaning.”
  • Clear criticism of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) (which passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir).

INDIA’S STRATEGIC CONNECTIVITY PROJECTS

A. Chabahar Port – Iran
  • Gives India access to Afghanistan and Central Asia
  • Counter to Gwadar Port (CPEC)
  • Faces uncertainty due to US sanctions
B. International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)
  • Multimodal corridor connecting India–Iran–Russia–Europe
  • Length: 7,200 km
  • Mode: Sea, road, rail
  • Signed in: 2000 by India, Iran, Russia
  • Participating Countries: 13 including India, Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Armenia

KEY MILESTONES

Year Event
2014 First Indian container shipment to Russia via INSTC
2022 Eastern branch through Kazakhstan launched
2024 Rasht–Bandar-e Anzali rail link (Iran) completed
2025 Rasht–Astara (final leg) scheduled for completion

PILLAR 3: “O” FOR OPPORTUNITY

  • Highlighted SCO under India's 2023 presidency:
    • Focused on startups, innovation, traditional medicine, youth, digital inclusion.
    • Promoted shared Buddhist heritage.
  • Proposed a "Civilizational Dialogue Forum" under SCO for cultural exchange.