26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Bishkek: Multipolarity, Connectivity, Security and India's Eurasian Diplomacy International Relations and International Organisations GS Paper II 5 September 2026 Read highlighted facts first FAST READ - read only this box if short on time
- The 26th SCO Summit was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from 31 August to 1 September 2026.
- It marked the organisation's 25th anniversary and concluded with the Bishkek Declaration plus multiple decisions and statements.
- Pakistan received the SCO presidency for 2026-27, while Lahore was designated SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital for the period.
- Agenda areas included security, connectivity, energy, climate, anti-narcotics cooperation and a multipolar international order.
- For India, the SCO is important for Central Asia, terrorism, connectivity, energy and balancing continental Eurasian engagement with strategic autonomy.
WHY IN NEWS
- The summit gathered SCO leaders in Bishkek under Kyrgyzstan's chairmanship and included an SCO Plus meeting.
- It is relevant because the SCO brings India into the same continental forum as Central Asian states, China, Russia, Pakistan and other members despite significant bilateral tensions among some participants.
TOP DATA & FACTS
- The SCO originated from the 'Shanghai Five' process and was formally established in 2001.
- Its founding members included China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
- India and Pakistan became full members in 2017.
- The 2026 summit was chaired by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi represented India according to current reporting.
- The summit adopted the Bishkek Declaration and numerous documents.
- The SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure is an important security mechanism.
- The organisation is not a collective-defence alliance equivalent to .