Tianjin, China | September 1, 2025: In a significant display of regional diplomacy, the leaders of the 10 member nations of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) gathered in Tianjin, China, for the organisation’s 25th Council of Heads of State Summit. The meeting brought together some of Eurasia’s most influential leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty and economic realignment.
The summit, held from August 31 to September 1, 2025, focused on a wide-ranging agenda including regional security, counter-terrorism, economic and financial cooperation, sustainable development, technological advancement and reforms in global governance.
Modi Puts the Spotlight on the SCO’s Three Priorities
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented India’s vision for stronger SCO cooperation through three pillars: Security, Connectivity and Opportunity.
On security, Modi called for a united and decisive fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism. Referring to the need for international cooperation against terror financing and radicalisation, he stressed that double standards in dealing with terrorism are unacceptable. India also urged SCO members to ensure accountability for those supporting cross-border terrorism.
Connectivity Beyond Borders
The second pillar—Connectivity—highlighted India’s emphasis on infrastructure and trade routes that can strengthen economic links across Eurasia.
Modi reiterated India’s support for strategic connectivity initiatives such as the Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), which could improve India’s access to Afghanistan, Central Asia and wider Eurasian markets. However, he emphasised that connectivity initiatives must respect the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Opportunity: From Start-ups to Cultural Exchange
The third pillar, Opportunity, focused on taking SCO cooperation beyond traditional diplomacy. India highlighted potential collaboration in areas such as:
- Start-ups and innovation
- Youth empowerment
- Digital inclusion
- Traditional medicine
- Scientific cooperation
- Shared cultural and civilisational heritage
Modi also proposed the establishment of a Civilizational Dialogue Forum within the SCO to strengthen people-to-people connections and promote the region’s rich cultural traditions.
A Major Outcome: The Tianjin Declaration
The summit concluded with the adoption of the Tianjin Declaration, while leaders also approved a broader package of 24 documents. Among the key outcomes was the SCO Development Strategy until 2035, outlining the organisation’s longer-term direction.
The member states also moved forward with initiatives aimed at addressing emerging security challenges, including organised crime, drug trafficking and other transnational threats. Agreements concerning new SCO security mechanisms and centres were also approved during the summit.
Why the Tianjin Summit Matters
The SCO today brings together China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran and Belarus. Its growing geographical reach and economic weight make it an increasingly important platform for discussions on Eurasian security, trade and multilateral cooperation.
Yet, the organisation also represents a complex diplomatic landscape. Its members have differing strategic interests and, in some cases, serious bilateral tensions. This makes the SCO both a powerful forum for dialogue and a test of whether regional cooperation can overcome geopolitically differences.
The Tianjin Summit nevertheless sent a clear message: in an increasingly fragmented world, major Eurasian powers are continuing to seek platforms for dialogue, economic cooperation and a greater role in shaping the future global order.
As the Chinese chairmanship concluded, the SCO presidency passed to Kyrgyzstan for 2025–26, carrying forward an agenda centred on stability, development and prosperity.
The Bigger Picture
For India, the summit was an opportunity to reinforce its position on terrorism, expand its connectivity vision and push for greater representation of the Global South in international decision-making. For the SCO as a whole, Tianjin marked another step in its evolution from a regional security grouping into a broader platform addressing economics, technology, culture, development and global governance.
Ten nations. One table. And a growing question for the world: Can Eurasian cooperation reshape the global balance of power?