New acronym by PM Narendra Modi
PM Narendra Modi underlined that the acronym represented three key pillars for India: “S–Security. C–Connectivity. O–Opportunity.”
The context and the theme:
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- The 25th SCO Summit was held from August 31 to September 1, 2025, in Tianjin, China—marking the largest gathering in SCO’s history with extensive participation from leaders across Eurasia. The summit was chaired by Xi Jinping.
- The Theme: “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move“.
The Tianjin Declaration:
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- The Tianjin Declarationreaffirmed the SCO’s dedication to combating terrorism, extremism, and separatism, signalling zero tolerance for cross-border terrorism.
- It specifically condemned the April 22 Pahalgam terror attackin J&K—an unequivocal diplomatic win for India.
- It also condemned the US and Israeli military strikes on Gaza and Iran, underlining SCO’s preference against external interventions. India played a key role in forging this consensus.
THE KEY DEVELOPMENTS
1. Broad Economic developments:
a. SCO Development Strategy (2026–2035)
b. Cooperation Programme (2026–2030) targeting counter-extremism
c. Energy Cooperation Roadmap until 2030
2. Creation of a Global Governance Initiative (GGI): The summit introduced a Global Governance Initiative, rooted in India’s vision of “One Earth, One Family, One Future.” It promotes sovereign equality, multilateralism, and a just international order.
Five principles of the GGI — adhering to sovereign equality, abiding by international rule of law, practicing multilateralism, advocating the people-centered approach, and focusing on taking real actions.
3. Institutional growth:
a. Four new SCO Centres—focused on security, transnational crime, cybersecurity, and anti-drug efforts
b. Launch of a dedicated SCO Development Bank, with China contributing loans and free aid
c. SCO Interbank Consortium to receive additional ¥10 billion in loans for next few years
d. Cholpon-Ata (Kyrgyz Republic) designated as the Tourist and Cultural Capital of SCO for 2025–26.
4. Tech & Digital Cooperation: Member states endorsed an AI cooperation agreement, affirming the principle that all countries must have equal rights in accessing and developing AI technologies.
5. Soft Power & Cultural Diplomacy:
a. India’s proposal for a “Civilisational Dialogue Forum”, aimed at fostering cultural exchange and people-to-people ties, received support by other SCO members.
b. Support for cooperation frameworks on Startups and Innovation, Digital Public Infrastructure, Traditional Medicine, and initiatives inspired by Mission LiFE (Environment, sustainable development, and UNSDGs).
6. Cultural & Diplomatic Outreach:
a. Laos granted Dialogue Partner status (SCO expanding to 10 members + 15 partners)
b. Cholpon-Ata in Kyrgyzstan designated as Tourist & Cultural Capital (2025–26)
c. India’s proposed Civilisation Dialogue Forum—a cultural diplomacy platform—received warm support
7. Expanded Engagement-“SCO Plus” Session: An SCO Plus session was convened under the theme “Turning Multilateralism into Action”, involving:
a. Member states, dialogue partners, and observers (like Mongolia, Turkey, Nepal, Vietnam)
b. Institutions like ASEAN, UN, CSTO, AIIB, and EEC
Achievements for India
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- Security & Counter-Terrorism: SCO’s condemnation of the Pahalgam terrorist attack—for the first time explicitly cited—marked a diplomatic victory, underscoring India’s leadership in demanding accountability.
- Strategic Autonomy & Geopolitics: The summit offered India an opportunity to balance Western pressures, notably resisting US sanctions on Russian oilby seeking solidarity with China-Russia bloc while reaffirming its independent foreign policy.
- Sovereignty in Connectivity & Regional Vision: India advanced its strategic connectivity projects like the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)and Chabahar Port, anchoring stronger linkages with Central Asia.
- Tech Leadership: By championing AI equalityand digital inclusion, India positioned itself as a key proponent of inclusive tech cooperation in SCO.
- Soft Power & Developmental Diplomacy: India’s vision encapsulated in “One Earth, One Family, One Future”was recognized within the summit’s framework. India’s sustainability initiatives (Mission LiFE, millets, climate-resilient grains) and startup diplomacy further expanded its developmental narrative within SCO.
Way Forward for India
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- Implementation Focus: Convert summit instruments into action—set up the Development Bank, AI collaboration centers, and new SCO bodies regionally.
- Connectivity Push: Strict adherence to sovereignty-sensitive connectivity projects while leveraging SCO to deepen ties with Central Asia.
- Strategic Balance: Maintain strategic autonomy by balancing ties within multilateral frameworks like SCO, BRICS, and partnerships with the West.
- Cultural Expansion: Institutionalize the Civilisational Dialogue Forum to strengthen cultural diplomacy and regional cohesion.
- Multilateral Advocacy: Continue pushing for UN reform and inclusive global governance through SCO platforms.
Conclusion:
The Tianjin SCO Summit (2025) was a definitive moment for India—marking its emergence as a proactive, balanced actor in Eurasian affairs. From achieving targeted wins on terrorism and tech equality to enhancing connectivity, soft power, and strategic autonomy, India reaffirmed its role in shaping a multipolar, inclusive regional order.
THE END NOTE
| Category | Members |
|---|---|
| Full Members (10) | China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Iran, and Belarus |
| Observers (2) | Afghanistan, Mongolia |
| Dialogue Partners (15) | Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Egypt, Nepal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Myanmar, Maldives, and UAE |
| New Dialogue Partner | Laos granted Dialogue Partner status in 2025 |
| Merger of Observers and Dialogue Partners as ‘SCO Partners’ | Afghanistan, Mongolia, Laos, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Egypt, Nepal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Myanmar, Maldives, and UAE |
| SCO Chairmanship for 2025–2026 Passed to the Kyrgyz Republic | The head of Kyrgyzstan named the theme of the Kyrgyz chairmanship as “25 years of the SCO: together for a stable world, development, and prosperity”. |
