Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Why SCO Matters to India Beyond Soft Power
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is a group that includes India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, and Central Asian countries.
India uses the group to build closer relationships with Central Asia.
Central Asia has important energy and mineral resources that India wants to access.
India also wants better transport routes through Iran, Chabahar, and the International North-South Transport Corridor.
At the summit, members spoke against terrorism and attacks on Iran.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for solving conflicts through talks.
He also said countries should not use terrorism as a tool of government policy.
India wants to work with both Western countries and countries such as Russia, China, and Iran.
An expert said India has made progress but still needs to turn its cultural influence into more trade, projects, and connectivity.
India used the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit to promote ties with Central Asia, counterterrorism, connectivity, and strategic autonomy.
The Bishkek Declaration called for combating terrorism, including cross-border movement, and condemned military strikes on Iranian territory.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged conflict resolution through dialogue and diplomacy and criticized states that use terrorism as policy.
India seeks stronger access to Central Asian energy and resources through projects including Chabahar and the International North-South Transport Corridor.
An Indian diplomat said most objectives were achieved, but India still must convert cultural influence into economic ties, projects, and connectivity.
- Who
- India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and other Shanghai Cooperation Organisation member states, including Pakistan, China, Russia, Iran, and Central Asian countries.
- What
- The SCO summit adopted the Bishkek Declaration and discussed terrorism, Iran, connectivity, Central Asia, and strategic cooperation.
- When
- The summit recently concluded; the article identifies the Bishkek meeting as taking place on September 1, 2026. Pakistan is scheduled to host the SCO summit in 2027.
- Where
- Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
- Why
- India seeks stronger relations with Central Asia, access to energy and minerals, improved connectivity, and cooperation on security while demonstrating strategic autonomy.
- Summit location
- Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
- Declaration
- The Bishkek Declaration called for combating terrorism, including cross-border movement of terrorists.
- Iran
- The declaration condemned military strikes on Iranian territory without naming the United States or Israel.
- India’s regional focus
- India views Central Asia as part of its extended neighbourhood and seeks stronger economic, energy, and security ties.
- Connectivity routes
- India is pursuing access through Chabahar and the 7,200-kilometre International North-South Transport Corridor.
- Future host
- Pakistan is slated to host the SCO summit in 2027.
- Language development
- English was agreed as an SCO language alongside Russian and Mandarin.