PolitySource: Press Information Bureau
Prime Minister participates in the 25th SCO Summit in Tianjin, China
Tuesday, 2 September 2025
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The Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, participated in the 25th SCO Summit held in Tianjin, China, from 31 August to 1 September 2025. This summit is crucial for UPSC aspirants as it touches upon key themes relevant to GS Paper 2, such as international relations and global governance. Last Updated: 2025-09-02
Key Facts About the 25th SCO Summit
- Counter-Terrorism: The summit strongly condemned terrorism and called for an end to cross-border movements.
- Membership: Laos was accepted as a partner, increasing the SCO's strength to 27 members.
- Global Governance: A proposal for a Global Governance Initiative was made to ensure sovereign equality among nations.
- Promotion of Values: The summit supported the UNGA resolution against Nazism and racism.
- Military Actions: Condemnation of military actions in Gaza and Iran was expressed.
- Economic Cooperation: Emphasis was placed on stabilizing global trade and establishing an SCO Development Bank.
- Geopolitical Reach: The SCO represents 23% of global GDP and 42% of the world's population.
- Conclusion: The Tianjin Declaration was adopted, and Kyrgyzstan's presidency was recognized.
India's Strategic Engagement in the SCO
The participation in the SCO Summit is significant for India’s strategic and economic interests. The SCO, representing a substantial portion of the global population and GDP, offers India a platform to engage in multi-lateral diplomacy. India's strategic multi-alignment policy allows it to balance its engagements with both Western and China-led platforms, crucial for maintaining its sovereignty and countering regional power dynamics.
Related Government Schemes/Policies
- Act East Policy: Enhances India's engagement with Southeast Asian nations, including new SCO partner Laos.
- Neighborhood First Policy: Prioritizes relations with neighboring countries, aligning with SCO's regional focus.
UPSC Relevance
- GS Paper 2: International Relations - India's role in multilateral organizations like the SCO.
- Prelims: Questions could focus on SCO's membership, objectives, and recent initiatives.
- Mains: Analytical themes include India's strategic diplomacy and its balancing act in international relations.
- Essay Paper: Topics on global governance and regional cooperation could be explored.
FAQ Section
- What is the SCO? The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance, representing 23% of global GDP and 42% of the world's population.
- Why is the SCO important? The SCO is crucial for regional cooperation on security, economic development, and cultural exchange, providing a platform for India to engage with Central Asian countries.
- What are the key features of the 25th SCO Summit? Key features include a strong stance on counter-terrorism, the acceptance of Laos as a partner, and proposals for global governance and economic cooperation.
Detailed Coverage
- Counter-Terrorism: Strong condemnation of terrorism and calls to end cross-border movements.
- Membership: Laos accepted as a partner, increasing SCO's strength to 27.
- Global Governance: Proposal of Global Governance Initiative for sovereign equality.
- Promotion of Values: Support for UNGA resolution against Nazism and racism.
- Military Actions: Condemnation of military actions in Gaza and Iran.
- Economic Cooperation: Emphasis on stabilizing global trade and establishing an SCO Development Bank.
- Geopolitical Reach: SCO represents 23% of global GDP and 42% of the world's population.
- Weak Security: RATS lacks effectiveness against terrorism.
- Power Dynamics: Central Asian states feel dominated by China and Russia.
- Ineffective Integration: Poor implementation of SCO agreements.
- Institutional Challenges: Lack of strong frameworks for cooperation.
- India's Concerns: China's dominance and anti-Western perception complicate India's role.
- Strategic Multi-alignment: India engages in both Western and China-led platforms.
- Selective Engagement: India avoids commitments threatening sovereignty.
- Leveraging Partnerships: Cooperation with Russia counters Chinese dominance.
- Dialogue: India maintains troop readiness along the LAC while pursuing high-level dialogues.
- Conclusion: Adoption of the Tianjin Declaration and recognition of Kyrgyzstan's presidency.
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