The 25th SCO Summit 2025 held in Tianjin highlighted India’s active role. Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented India’s three-pillar strategy – security, connectivity and opportunities – which emphasized zero-tolerance on terrorism, connectivity that respects sovereignty, and promoting opportunities in technology and culture. The Tianjin Declaration included the India-proposed vision of “One Earth, One Family, One Future”, as well as condemnation of terrorist attacks and support for global reforms.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, which was established in 2001, originally came into being as a security-focused forum. For China, Russia and Central Asian countries, the organisation was a common platform for counter-terrorism and border stability. But over the past two decades, the organisation has gradually taken on a multi-dimensional form, with issues such as security as well as economic cooperation, connectivity, cultural exchanges and the establishment of a multipolar world order becoming prominent. India, which joined as an observer in 2005 and gained full membership in 2017, sees opportunities in the organisation on the one hand and challenges on the other. The Tianjin Summit in 2025, which also marked the organisation’s 25th anniversary, was very important in this regard.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this occasion described India’s relationship in terms of three pillars – security, connectivity and opportunity. This was not just rhetoric but a clear and balanced strategy through which India articulated its security concerns, sought to balance the imbalances in the organisation and establish itself as a force shaping the future. These three pillars were clearly echoed in the Tianjin Declaration, where for the first time the India-proposed vision of “One Earth, One Family, One Future” was formally enshrined.
The first pillar, security, is India’s main concern. Modi reiterated the principle of “zero tolerance” towards terrorism, rejecting double standards. This was a clear message to Pakistan, which presents itself as a counter-terrorism power despite providing sanctuary and support to terrorist organisations. India ensured that the Tianjin Declaration made clear reference to the recent major terrorist attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan, including the Pulwama-Pahalgam attack in Kashmir. This was a diplomatic victory for India, as earlier declarations were often limited to general terms. India stressed the need for measures to strengthen the Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS), share intelligence, prevent terrorist financing and control digital extremism. India also warned that if Afghanistan is not addressed, the entire region will be vulnerable to insecurity.
The second pillar, connectivity, is strategically and economically important for India. Central Asia is an energy-rich and strategically important region, but India has limited direct geographical connectivity. Modi, citing projects like the Chabahar port and the International North-South Transport Corridor, said that India supports connectivity infrastructure that respects sovereignty and territorial integrity. This was an indirect criticism of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, especially the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which passes through the Indian territory of Gilgit-Baltistan. India made it clear that no path for development can be created by compromising the sovereignty of any country.
The Tianjin Summit also saw partial talks on India-China relations. The brief meeting between Modi and Xi Jinping discussed border stability, visa restoration and the possibility of reopening pilgrimage sites like Kailash-Mansarovar. This shows that for India, connectivity is not limited to just physical infrastructure, but people-to-people ties, trade normalisation and cultural exchanges are equally important.
The third pillar, Opportunities, reflects India’s visionary and creative approach. Modi said that the SCO should not be limited to security and geopolitics alone, but should become a platform for innovation, youth empowerment and sustainable development. India proposed strengthening the SCO Startup Forum, cooperation on inclusive digital governance and responsible use of artificial intelligence. It also advocated for environmental sustainability, green energy and joint efforts against climate change. Also, India suggested setting up a “cultural dialogue platform” in the SCO to highlight the shared cultural heritage of Asian countries. This pillar takes India beyond being a mere security-focused nation and gives it the role of a cultural and moral leader.
These initiatives of India were clearly echoed in the Tianjin Declaration. For the first time, the Declaration adopted the Indian vision of “One Earth, One Family, One Future”. This is the same idea that India had put forward during its G20 presidency. The Declaration explicitly condemned terrorist incidents and agreed to establish an SCO Development Bank, to which China pledged to provide an initial capital of $1.4 billion. While this raises fears of China’s economic dominance, it is a step towards making the SCO a solid economic platform. The Declaration supported multipolarity, UN reform and greater participation of developing countries. It also included a resolution to promote education, culture and dialogue of civilizations, which is in line with India’s initiative.
Despite these achievements of India, challenges remain. Pakistan constantly tries to raise the Kashmir issue at international forums, although it does not get the desired success. China’s Belt and Road project still attracts many countries, due to which India’s dissenting position creates contradictions in the organization. There is still no coherent collective strategy on the situation in Afghanistan. Also, India will have to balance with Western forums such as the Quad and the Indo-Pacific Initiatives while maintaining its strategic autonomy.
In the global context, the SCO’s relevance is growing rapidly. The organization represents nearly half of the world’s population and one-fifth of the economy. At a time when the Russia-Ukraine war, the US-China competition, and instability in West Asia dominate international politics, the SCO has emerged as a symbol of multipolarity. India’s active role gives the organization a democratic and development-oriented dimension.
The way forward: India will have to ensure that counter-terrorism cooperation does not remain just on paper but is translated into concrete arrangements like intelligence sharing and financial monitoring. Alternative connectivity structures like Chabahar and the North-South Transport Corridor will have to be implemented soon. India’s strength in the IT and startup sectors can make the SCO globally relevant. India can further strengthen its soft power through yoga, Ayurveda, education and cultural exchanges. The most important challenge will be to maintain balanced relations with China and Russia, so that India can play an independent role while protecting its sovereignty.
Finally, the Tianjin Summit was not just an anniversary of the SCO, but also a symbol of the maturity of India’s diplomacy. Security, connectivity and opportunity – these three pillars connect India’s national priorities and regional aspirations. The inclusion of India’s vision in the Tianjin Declaration is a testament to this. Whatever the challenges, India is now not just a participant but a key architect of the SCO’s direction.
Author is a research scholar. She can be mailed at priyankasaurabh9416@outlook.com
