PM Modi Participates in 25th SCO Summit in Tianjin

— by vishal Sambyal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 25th SCO Summit in Tianjin, focusing on security, connectivity, and economic cooperation amid global challenges.

Introduction: India’s Voice on a Global Stage

As the world grapples with shifting power dynamics, terrorism, and economic uncertainty, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation in the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China underscored India’s commitment to regional security and cooperation. The two-day summit, held from August 31 to September 1, brought together leaders from across Eurasia to discuss strategies for sustainable growth, peace, and stability.

Context & Background: The SCO’s Expanding Role

Founded in 2001, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has grown into one of the most influential regional blocs, encompassing 10 member states including China, Russia, India, Pakistan, and Iran, with observer states like Afghanistan and Mongolia, and 14 dialogue partners.

Initially focused on border security and counterterrorism, the SCO has since expanded its scope to include trade, connectivity, energy, and cultural cooperation. Its two permanent bodies — the SCO Secretariat in Beijing and the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in Tashkent — symbolize its dual priorities of diplomacy and security.

India joined as a full member in 2017, viewing the SCO as a platform to engage with Central Asia and strengthen its security agenda, particularly in the fight against terrorism and radicalization.

Main Developments: Modi’s Call for Security, Connectivity, and Opportunity

In his address at Tianjin, Prime Minister Modi highlighted three key pillars for SCO cooperation: Security, Connectivity, and Opportunity.

  • On Security: Modi stressed that peace and stability are the cornerstones of prosperity. He called for decisive action against terrorism, warning against “double standards” in counter-terror policies. Referring to the Pahalgam terror attack, he described it as an open challenge to humanity and urged SCO nations to intensify efforts to curb terror financing and radicalization.
  • On Connectivity: The Prime Minister underscored India’s commitment to improving regional connectivity, while emphasizing that such projects must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states. This subtle message echoed India’s reservations about certain Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects.
  • On Opportunity: Modi urged SCO nations to enhance economic cooperation, including trade, investment, digital technologies, and sustainable development, ensuring shared prosperity in the region.

At the close of the summit, the Tianjin Declaration was adopted, reaffirming the SCO’s vision for regional peace and cooperation. Agreements were also signed on establishing an SCO Anti-Drug Center and a Universal Center for Countering Security Threats.

Other Highlights: Expanding Partnerships and Cultural Ties

Beyond India’s interventions, the summit also:

  • Granted SCO Dialogue Partner status to Laos and Observer status to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
  • Declared Cholpon-Ata in Kyrgyzstan the “Tourist and Cultural Capital of the SCO” for 2025–2026.
  • Marked Kyrgyzstan taking over the next presidency of the SCO.

These moves signal the bloc’s growing emphasis on cultural diplomacy alongside hard security issues.

Expert Insight: Balancing Security and Development

Analysts view India’s stance as a reaffirmation of its long-standing concerns about terrorism in the region.

“Modi’s emphasis on terrorism reflects India’s security anxieties, but his focus on connectivity and opportunity shows that New Delhi is equally invested in the economic dimension of the SCO,” said a South Asia analyst based in New Delhi.

Others suggest that the SCO remains a critical platform for India to engage with both Russia and China, especially amid strained bilateral ties. However, balancing cooperation with rival powers while safeguarding national interests remains a delicate task.

Impact & Implications: What’s Next?

India’s proactive engagement signals that it is determined to shape the SCO’s agenda, particularly in areas of counter-terrorism and economic integration. Key implications include:

  • Regional Security: If SCO nations act decisively on terror financing, it could enhance collective security, especially in South and Central Asia.
  • Connectivity Projects: India may push for connectivity initiatives that exclude contested projects linked to China’s BRI.
  • Economic Cooperation: Digital transformation, renewable energy, and sustainable growth could become new areas of India-led collaboration.

For India, the SCO is not just a regional forum but a strategic tool to project influence in Eurasia while counterbalancing China’s dominance.

Conclusion: A Forum of Opportunities and Challenges

The 25th SCO Summit in Tianjin reaffirmed the organisation’s role as a cornerstone of regional diplomacy and security. For Prime Minister Modi, the platform was an opportunity to amplify India’s concerns about terrorism, highlight its vision for sustainable development, and assert its growing leadership in Eurasia.

As Kyrgyzstan assumes the SCO presidency, the challenge for member states will be to move from declarations to concrete action — particularly on terrorism and economic cooperation. India’s strong stance signals that it will continue to play an active role in shaping the SCO’s future trajectory.

Disclaimer : This article is an original analysis based on the provided headline and publicly available facts. It is intended for informational purposes only.