Archive · 27 Aug 2026
India to Engage SCO Despite Pakistan’s 2027 Chairship
India belongs to a group called the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, or SCO.
Pakistan will lead the group after the next summit and host its meeting in 2027.
India says it will continue working with the SCO as a group.
However, India will decide separately how to deal with each country.
India also repeated that it has zero tolerance for terrorism.
Pakistan says it must invite every SCO member to the 2027 summit.
The next SCO meeting will take place in Bishkek from August 31 to September 1.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend that meeting.
India says it will engage with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation as an institution regardless of Pakistan’s chairship.
India will decide separately, through appropriate authorities, how to engage with individual countries.
The next SCO summit is scheduled for August 31 to September 1 in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic.
Pakistan is scheduled to host the SCO summit in 2027 and says all member states will be invited.
India reiterated its zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism emanating from its neighbourhood.
- Who
- India, Pakistan, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are central to the development.
- What
- India said it will engage with the SCO as an institution despite Pakistan becoming its chair, while deciding bilateral engagement separately.
- When
- The next SCO summit is scheduled for August 31 to September 1; Pakistan is scheduled to chair the organisation and host its summit in 2027.
- Where
- The upcoming summit will be held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic; Pakistan will host the 2027 summit.
- Why
- India wants to maintain its institutional engagement with the SCO while reiterating concerns about terrorism and retaining separate decisions on individual-country engagement.
India’s Institutional Approach
Pakistan’s Host-State Position
Engagement under Pakistan’s chairship
India’s Institutional Approach
India says it deals with the SCO as an important institution, while decisions about engagement with individual countries will be taken separately by the appropriate authorities.
Pakistan’s Host-State Position
Pakistan says it will invite all SCO member states, including India, to the 2027 summit in line with its obligations as host.
Terrorism concerns
India’s Institutional Approach
India says it has zero tolerance toward terrorism emanating from its neighbourhood and will work to promote international cooperation against terrorism.
Pakistan’s Host-State Position
Pakistan’s statement cited in the report focuses on extending summit invitations and does not address India’s terrorism concerns.
- Organisation
- Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
- Pakistan’s chairship
- Scheduled to begin after the Bishkek summit and continue into the 2027 summit
- Upcoming summit
- August 31 to September 1 in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
- 2027 summit
- Scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan
- SCO membership
- The organisation currently has 10 member states
- India’s membership
- India became a full SCO member in 2017
- India’s terrorism policy
- India says it has zero tolerance toward terrorism