International RelationsImportant2025-08-31

India Attends 25th SCO Heads of State Summit

Q: With reference to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), consider the following statements: 1. India and Pakistan became full members of the SCO simultaneously in 2017. 2. The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) is a permanent organ of the SCO headquartered in Beijing. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 only — Statement 1 is correct; India and Pakistan officially joined as full members during the Astana summit in 2017. Statement 2 is incorrect; RATS is headquartered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, whereas the SCO Secretariat is located in Beijing.

In News

What Happened

On August 31, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Tianjin, China. This marked his first visit to China in seven years, representing a significant diplomatic engagement. The summit focused heavily on combating terrorism and extremism, exploring regional economic linkages, and reinforcing a multipolar world order.

Why It Matters

This summit is vital for India as it balances its strategic autonomy by engaging with Eurasian powers while managing complex bilateral relations with China. Participation allows India to leverage the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) against regional threats and promote its SECURE strategy for regional cooperation.

Background

History & Context

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was established in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan to ensure Eurasian political, economic, and security cooperation. India and Pakistan officially joined as full members during the Astana summit in 2017. The organization consistently emphasizes the fight against the 'three evils' of terrorism, separatism, and extremism, primarily coordinated through its Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) based in Tashkent.

What Changed

▶
BEFORE: India's top-level diplomatic visits to China were paused for seven years due to severe border standoffs like the Galwan Valley clash. NOW: The Prime Minister's visit to Tianjin indicates a resumption of high-level direct diplomatic engagement despite ongoing bilateral complexities.
▶
BEFORE: SCO dialogues largely focused on Central Asian border security and traditional counter-terrorism protocols. NOW: Discussions explicitly emphasize broader Eurasian economic linkages and reinforcing systemic multipolarity alongside traditional security.
▶
BEFORE: India lacked a formalized framework for comprehensive engagement with Central Asian SCO members. NOW: India actively champions its SECURE strategy (Security, Economic development, Connectivity, Unity, Respect for sovereignty, Environmental protection) as a core operational framework for the region.

Prelims Angle

NCERT Connection

This event connects to Class 12 Political Science Chapter 4 - Contemporary Centres of Power. It illustrates how alternative regional organizations like the SCO are evolving as significant geopolitical platforms that shape multipolar global dynamics and Eurasian security outside Western-led alliances.

Practice Questions

Q1

With Reference To

With reference to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), consider the following statements: 1. India and Pakistan became full members of the SCO simultaneously in 2017. 2. The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) is a permanent organ of the SCO headquartered in Beijing. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Up next