Bishkek Declaration 2026 And India At SCO Summit
Source: Indian Express
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Why in the News?
The 26th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, from August 31 to September 1, 2026.
News in Brief
- The summit, which coincided with the 25th anniversary of the SCO, concluded with the adoption of the Bishkek Declaration, four Memoranda of Understanding and more than 20 decisions and statements covering security, energy, climate change, nuclear safety and drug-related challenges.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi represented India at the summit and highlighted three broad pillars for future SCO cooperation — Security, Connectivity and Opportunity.
What is the Bishkek Declaration?
The Bishkek Declaration 2026 is the joint political declaration adopted by the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation at the Bishkek Summit.
It sets out the organisation’s collective position on major regional and international issues and identifies areas for future cooperation.
Major areas covered by the declaration include:
- Terrorism, extremism and separatism
- Regional peace and security
- Afghanistan
- West Asian conflicts
- Economic cooperation and trade
- Energy security
- Connectivity
- Climate change
- Technology and digital cooperation
- Drug trafficking and transnational crime
Major Highlights of Bishkek Declaration 2026
Strong Stand Against Terrorism
- The declaration condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and emphasised that double standards in dealing with terrorism are unacceptable.
- Member states called for stronger cooperation against terrorism, including preventing the cross-border movement of terrorists and tackling terrorist financing, radicalisation and extremist networks.
- This reflects India’s long-standing position that terrorism cannot be differentiated on the basis of political objectives or strategic interests.
Regional Conflicts And Diplomacy
- The SCO expressed concern over continuing geopolitical conflicts and emphasised the importance of resolving disputes through dialogue and diplomacy.
- India reiterated its position that conflicts cannot be sustainably resolved on the battlefield and that peaceful negotiations remain the preferred way forward.
West Asia And Iran
- The declaration expressed concern over military strikes on Iran and reaffirmed support for Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
- SCO members supported resolving the crisis through political and diplomatic means. They also expressed concern about instability in West Asia and its implications for international peace, energy markets and global supply chains.
- For India, stability in West Asia is particularly important because of its dependence on imported energy, its large diaspora in the region and the importance of West Asian shipping routes for trade.
Energy Cooperation
- SCO countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector and support implementation of the SCO Energy Cooperation Strategy up to 2030.
- Energy cooperation has acquired additional importance because SCO members include some of the world’s major energy producers and consumers.
- For India, closer energy engagement with Russia, Central Asia and Iran can contribute to diversification of energy sources and long-term energy security.
Multilateral Trading System
- The declaration supported an open, transparent, fair and non-discriminatory multilateral trading system.
- SCO members also opposed unilateral economic measures that are inconsistent with international rules and could negatively affect the world economy.
India’s Vision: Security, Connectivity And Opportunity
India used the summit to reiterate its vision of SCO cooperation around three interconnected pillars:
Security
India described terrorism as a serious threat to humanity and called for dismantling the entire ecosystem supporting terrorism.
This includes:
- Terror financing
- Radicalisation
- Recruitment
- Safe havens
- Cross-border terrorist networks
India also stressed that there should be no double standards in the fight against terrorism.
Connectivity
India supported stronger connectivity across Eurasia because improved transport corridors can:
- Increase regional trade
- Improve market access
- Connect Central Asia with wider markets
- Facilitate investment and economic development
However, India reiterated that connectivity projects must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.
This principle is important for India’s position on connectivity projects passing through territories over which India claims sovereignty.
Opportunity
India highlighted cooperation in:
- Technology
- Entrepreneurship
- Innovation
- Start-ups
- Scientific research
- Youth exchanges
- People-to-people contacts
India has promoted initiatives such as the SCO Young Scientist Forum, Young Authors’ Conclave and the proposed SCO Civilisation Dialogue Forum.
India is also expected to host the first edition of the SCO Civilisation Dialogue Forum.
Other Important Outcomes For India
Several Indian initiatives were reflected in the Bishkek Declaration.
One notable outcome was India’s initiative concerning the inclusion of English as an official language of the SCO, which can facilitate wider participation and communication within the organisation.
Other India-supported initiatives included:
- SCO Civilisation Dialogue Forum
- Young Scientist Forum
- Young Authors’ Conclave
The summit also adopted decisions covering climate change, nuclear safety, energy conservation and combating drug addiction.
What is the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation?
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is a Eurasian intergovernmental organisation established in 2001.
It evolved from the earlier Shanghai Five, consisting of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Uzbekistan joined the grouping when the SCO was formally established.
The SCO currently has 10 full members:
- India
- China
- Russia
- Pakistan
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Tajikistan
- Uzbekistan
- Iran
- Belarus
India and Pakistan became full members in 2017, Iran joined in 2023, and Belarus became a full member in 2024.
The SCO traditionally focuses on combating the so-called three evils — terrorism, separatism and extremism — while its agenda has gradually expanded to trade, connectivity, energy, culture and technology.
Significance Of SCO For India
Engagement With Central Asia
The SCO provides India with an important institutional platform to engage with the strategically significant Central Asian republics.
Counter-Terrorism
The organisation provides mechanisms for regional cooperation against terrorism and extremism, including through the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS).
Strategic Autonomy
SCO membership allows India to engage simultaneously with Russia, China, Iran and Central Asian states while maintaining partnerships with Western countries.
It therefore complements India’s broader policy of strategic autonomy and multi-alignment.
Energy Security
Russia, Iran and Central Asian countries possess substantial oil and natural gas resources. Deeper engagement with these countries can help India diversify its energy partnerships.
Eurasian Connectivity
The SCO provides a platform for discussions on connectivity between India and Eurasia, including India’s interest in initiatives such as the International North-South Transport Corridor and Chabahar Port.
Challenges For India Within SCO
Despite its potential, several limitations remain.
India-China differences: Border tensions and competing strategic interests affect bilateral trust.
India-Pakistan tensions: Differences over terrorism and regional security frequently influence SCO discussions.
Connectivity disagreements: India has concerns regarding projects that do not respect sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Different geopolitical priorities: SCO members have different relationships with the United States, Europe and other global powers.
Implementation gap: Declarations often contain ambitious commitments, but translating them into measurable regional cooperation remains a challenge.
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