India could gain greater strategic leverage through SCO: Report

India’s Strategic Calculus at the SCO Summit

As the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) convenes in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, for its summit under the country’s chairmanship, a report has painted India as a participant with ambitions beyond mere attendance. According to a report by the ‘International Centre for Peace Studies,’ India views the SCO less through the prism of ideological alignment and more as a platform of strategic utility. In the changed geopolitical landscape, the forum’s relevance for New Delhi lies in its ability to leverage connectivity, counterterrorism, and cultural diplomacy while counterbalancing China’s dominance within the grouping.

The report, cited by IANS, suggests that if the SCO evolves into a forum capable of delivering tangible outcomes, India could achieve greater visibility and strategic leverage across Eurasia. This framing sets the stage for what is expected to be a significant moment for the region’s largest multilateral grouping, as it marks its 25th anniversary under the theme ‘25 years of the SCO: Together Towards Sustainable Peace, Development and Prosperity.’

The Bishkek summit, with heads of state meetings scheduled for August 31–September 1, is set to have both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in attendance, according to expectations reported by sources cited by the South China Morning Post.

A Mounting Summit, A Meeting of Leaders

The SCO summit in Bishkek will serve as the backdrop for a highly anticipated encounter between Xi and Modi. Sources told the South China Morning Post that the two leaders are expected to cross paths on the sidelines of the summit, with the interaction expected to be short and tightly managed to set the stage for a more substantive conversation later.

The Chinese foreign ministry has confirmed that Xi will attend the gathering. Meanwhile, Modi is also expected to participate, as reported by the same outlet. The report by IANS also suggested that Modi could be present, based on the ‘International Centre for Peace Studies’ report.

A Bigger Test Looms in New Delhi

Beyond Bishkek, the more significant engagement is expected in India. According to sources cited by the South China Morning Post, a fuller sit-down is planned for September 12–13 in New Delhi, during a Brics summit expected to attract a reported delegation of around 400 from China. This would represent Xi’s first visit to India in seven years.

The relationship between the two Asian giants has been described as being in a ‘cautious thaw’ over the past two years. The upcoming meetings are seen as a potential test of whether the bilateral ties, which have been strained by a border dispute and other tensions, can move towards more meaningful engagement beyond the current level of managed interactions. Both sides are reportedly working to produce tangible outcomes for these encounters.

The agenda for the leaders’ meetings is expected to include the long-standing border dispute, trade, investment, and people-to-people ties, including visa issues, according to people familiar with the negotiations.

Beijing has not yet officially confirmed Xi’s visit to India. The Chinese foreign ministry has only stated that China attaches importance to Brics cooperation and supports India in hosting the summit, as reported by the South China Morning Post.

SCO at 25: A Vehicle for India’s Initiatives

The SCO, established on June 15, 2001, with founding members China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, has seen its ranks swell. India and Pakistan joined in 2017, Iran in 2023, and Belarus in 2024, bringing the total to 10 member states. According to details from the IANS report, the organization also includes two observer states — Afghanistan and Mongolia — and 14 dialogue partners, including Azerbaijan, Armenia, Cambodia, Nepal, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Bahrain, the Maldives, Myanmar, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait.

The grouping accounts for about 25 percent of the world’s territory, nearly 45 percent of its population, and roughly 23 percent of global nominal GDP (36 percent in PPP terms), according to the report.

Since joining in 2017, India has initiated or supported several concrete measures within the SCO, including anti-terror frameworks, the principle of ‘zero tolerance and no double standards,’ and making counter-terrorism a cornerstone for regional security. The nation has also taken part in a ‘Civilizational Dialogue Forum’ and set up an ‘SCO Start-Up and Innovation Corridor.’ The report highlighted that India’s leadership in regional connectivity and infrastructure projects, along with the establishment of a counter-radicalisation initiative within the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure, could contribute to a broader framework to combat radicalisation and promote environmental sustainability.