Archive · 2 Sep 2026
SCO Summit Ends With India’s Terrorism Wording and Gains
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation held a meeting in Bishkek on August 31 and September 1.
India joined the other members in signing a large agreement called the Bishkek Declaration.
India helped shape the agreement’s language about fighting terrorism.
The declaration said terrorism should be opposed in every form and that countries should not use different standards.
It also supported meetings and exchanges involving young people, scientists and writers.
English was added as an official SCO language alongside Chinese and Russian.
The countries supported better roads, railways, trade and digital services.
India supported connectivity but did not sign the separate part backing China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit was held on August 31 and September 1 and ended with the Bishkek Declaration.
India secured preferred language condemning terrorism in all forms, rejecting double standards and opposing the cross-border movement of terrorists.
The declaration recognized India-linked people-to-people initiatives, including a Civilisation Dialogue Forum and stronger youth and scientific exchanges.
The SCO charter was amended to give English official status alongside Chinese and Russian.
India endorsed broader connectivity and economic cooperation but did not sign the specific provision supporting China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
- Who
- India and other member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- What
- The SCO summit concluded with the Bishkek Declaration, four memorandums of understanding, more than 20 statements and decisions, and an amendment granting English official status.
- When
- August 31 and September 1.
- Where
- Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
- Why
- To set shared positions on terrorism, people-to-people cooperation, connectivity and economic collaboration among SCO members.
India’s stated position
Supporters of the specific BRI provision
Connectivity and sovereignty
India’s stated position
India supported connectivity projects that open markets and ease trade, while emphasizing respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Supporters of the specific BRI provision
The article says the specific provision supported China’s Belt and Road Initiative, but does not identify the individual countries’ arguments or positions.
- Outcome document
- The Bishkek Declaration was signed by SCO member countries at the end of the summit.
- Terrorism language
- The declaration condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, rejected double standards and opposed the cross-border movement of terrorists.
- English language
- The SCO charter was amended to give English official status alongside Chinese and Russian.
- People-to-people initiatives
- The document welcomed an SCO Civilisation Dialogue Forum in India and supported youth, scientific and authors’ exchanges.
- Connectivity
- Members backed road and rail routes, multimodal corridors, logistics centres, digital technologies and smart customs.
- Belt and Road Initiative
- India signed the broader declaration but was not among the members signing the specific provision supporting China’s Belt and Road Initiative.