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The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a Eurasian political, economic and security alliance, founded with the aim of fostering mutual trust, promoting effective cooperation and ensuring regional peace and stability.

Establishment

Founded on:  June 15, 2001

Initial members: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan

Origin: It evolved from the “Shanghai Five” (1996) mechanism.

Membership

As of 2025, SCO has 9 full member states:

1. China
2. Russia
3. India (joined in 2017)
4. Pakistan (joined in 2017)
5. Kazakhstan
6. Kyrgyzstan
7. Tajikistan
8. Uzbekistan
9. Iran (joined in 2023)

Observer states: Afghanistan, Belarus, Mongolia

Dialogue partners: Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and others

Summits

• SCO holds annual summits of Heads of State and Government.
• Total Summits held so far (as of July 2025): 24
• Latest Summit (24th Summit):
• Date: 4 July 2024
• Host Country: Kazakhstan (Astana)
• Chairmanship: Kazakhstan held the presidency for 2023–2024
• The 2025 Tianjin SCO summit is scheduled for autumn 2025. It will be the 25th Heads of State Council meeting of the SCO. This will be the fifth time China hosts the annual SCO summit.

Aims and objectives

As outlined in the SCO Charter (2002):

• Strengthen mutual trust and good-neighbourly relations
• Promote effective cooperation in: Politics; trade and economy; energy; transport; culture; education; environmental protection; ensure regional peace, security and stability
• Work towards a new democratic, just, and rational international political and economic order

Importance in global geopolitics

Strategic importance

• Represents over 40% of the world population and nearly 30% of global GDP
• Brings together nuclear powers like China, Russia, India, and Pakistan
• Acts as a counterbalance to Western alliances like NATO

Security collaboration

RATS (Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure) based in Tashkent combats:

• Terrorism
• Extremism
• Separatism

Energy & connectivity

• Energy-rich nations like Russia, Iran, and Central Asia engage with energy-deficient nations like China and India.
• Promotes transport corridors (e.g., International North-South Transport Corridor, China’s BRI).

 India’s role

• Platform for India to engage with Central Asia, Russia, and China
• A diplomatic channel with Pakistan and China amid strained bilateral ties
• Useful for counterterrorism, regional security, and connectivity goals like INSTC and Chabahar Port

 Challenges

• Internal divisions: India-China tensions; India-Pakistan rivalry.
• Lack of institutionalisation: Decisions are largely consensus-based and non-binding.
• Diverse interests: Conflicting geopolitical visions (e.g., BRI supported by China, opposed by India).

Conclusion

The SCO is a vital multilateral platform reflecting the shift towards a multipolar world order. While its achievements are mixed due to internal contradictions, it remains a strategically significant group in the evolving global power dynamics, especially amid rising tensions between the West and the Global South.

Practice questions for UPSC Mains

GS Paper II (International Relations)

1. “The SCO has emerged as a crucial geopolitical platform in the multipolar world order.” Critically analyse in the context of India’s interests and challenges.
2. Discuss the relevance of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in countering terrorism and promoting regional connectivity in Eurasia.
3. Evaluate the implications of Iran's full membership in the SCO for India’s strategic interests.
4. The SCO reflects both cooperation and competition among member states. Examine the validity of this statement with suitable examples.
5. “SCO’s effectiveness is constrained by internal contradictions and lack of coherence.” Do you agree? Justify your answer with specific instances.