Why in news?
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) held its twenty‑fifth summit in Tianjin, China. Leaders discussed regional security, economic integration and institutional reform.
Background
Founded in 2001, the SCO is a Eurasian bloc that includes China, Russia, India, Pakistan and several Central Asian states. It focuses on counterterrorism, connectivity and economic cooperation.
Key points
- The summit adopted the Tianjin Declaration, which outlines members’ consensus on global governance, sustainable development and respect for sovereignty. It condemned the April 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam without naming any country.
- Members approved a Development Strategy for 2026–2035 and a Cooperation Programme for 2026–2030 to combat extremism. A roadmap for SCO energy cooperation until 2030 was also endorsed.
- The summit initiated structural reform by merging observer states and dialogue partners into a single category. Laos was admitted as a dialogue partner, expanding the group to 27 nations.
- Four new SCO centres were inaugurated to counter security threats, tackle organised crime, enhance cyber security and strengthen anti‑drug cooperation. Plans were discussed to establish an SCO Development Bank and to foster collaboration in green industry, digital economy, artificial intelligence and vocational training.
- India emphasised connectivity via projects like the Chabahar Port and International North‑South Transport Corridor. Prime Minister Modi proposed a Civilisational Dialogue Forum and called for United Nations reform.
Implications
- The summit signals the SCO’s transition from a security‑centric alliance to a broader platform for economic and technological cooperation.
- Structural reforms may make the organisation more inclusive but also pose challenges in reaching consensus.
- India’s active participation underscores its strategic interest in Eurasia and desire to balance relations with China while safeguarding sovereignty.