Leaders Convene at 26th SCO Summit in Bishkek
Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Russian President Vladimir Putin have gathered in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, for the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. The high-profile two-day event, held on August 31 and September 1, 2026, commemorates 25 years since the SCO's inception, bringing together leaders from across the Eurasian continent.
Key Agenda: Security, Trade, and Global Conflicts
Discussions at the summit are expected to cover a wide array of critical topics, including regional security challenges, counter-terrorism efforts, and transnational threats. Economic cooperation is also a major focus, with talks anticipated on trade, energy, transport connectivity, and digital collaboration among member states. Additionally, leaders will address pressing global issues, including the ongoing conflicts in West Asia and the war in Ukraine, alongside other significant regional developments.
Beyond the core trio, several other prominent leaders are attending, such as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, underscoring the summit's broad regional importance.
India's Vision for Regional Stability
Prime Minister Modi arrived in Bishkek following a two-day visit to Uzbekistan, where he was welcomed with traditional Kyrgyz hospitality. Prior to his departure from India, PM Modi articulated India's vision for the region, emphasizing the advancement of security, connectivity, and opportunity. He reiterated the necessity of a region free from terrorism, separatism, and extremism, which he identified as significant threats to peace and stability.
Bilateral Engagements and SCO's Evolving Role
The summit provides a crucial platform for bilateral discussions. President Putin is slated to hold separate meetings with Iranian President Pezeshkian and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Similarly, Prime Minister Modi is expected to engage in bilateral talks with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov, President Putin, and other SCO leaders on the sidelines of the main proceedings.
During his visit to Kyrgyzstan, PM Modi will also participate in the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games. This engagement, alongside the summit, aims to strengthen India's strategic partnerships in Central Asia, deepen civilizational ties, and advance shared goals of peace, stability, and prosperity across the region. The last time Modi, Xi, and Putin met was at the SCO summit in Tianjin, China, in September 2025, a meeting noted for improving India-China ties.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation: A Growing Bloc
Established in 2001, the SCO evolved from the Shanghai Five, formed in 1996 to address military tensions and border issues between China, Russia, and three former Soviet republics. The organization has significantly expanded its membership, with India and Pakistan joining in 2017, Iran in 2023, and Belarus in 2024. It now comprises 10 member states, alongside 15 dialogue partners and two observer countries, Afghanistan and Mongolia.
The SCO describes itself as a platform for cooperation rather than a military alliance, explicitly stating in its founding declaration that it is not directed against other states. Representing approximately 3.4 billion people, the SCO has cemented its role as a major forum for security cooperation, economic engagement, and regional diplomacy.