Key Issues at SCO 2025 Summit and Expansion of SCO

1. Security & Terrorism

• • India–Pakistan Tensions
    • PM Modi reiterated: “No double standards on terrorism are acceptable.”
    • Direct message to Pakistan, which continues to be accused of cross-border terror support.
  • Afghanistan Question
    • SCO has observer status for Afghanistan, but Taliban’s non-inclusive govt remains a hurdle.
    • India, Russia, Central Asian states concerned about spillover of extremism & drugs.

2. Connectivity & Sovereignty Concerns

• • CPEC vs. Chabahar
    • China pushed for Belt & Road projects including CPEC (through PoK).
    • India objected, citing violation of sovereignty (similar stand since 2017).
    • Instead, India advocated Chabahar Port + INSTC (International North-South Transport Corridor).

3. Geopolitical Alignments

• • Russia–China Axis
    • Both showcased solidarity (esp. amid Ukraine war and US tariffs on China).
    • Growing perception that SCO may become a China–Russia-dominated platform.
  • India’s Balancing Act
    • While India called for multipolarity and equal participation, it avoided endorsing China-led financial initiatives (SCO Development Bank).

4. Economic & Trade Issues

• • Local Currency Trade Push
    • Russia, China, and Iran pushed for dedollarisation & local currency settlement.
    • India cautious—concerns about rupee convertibility and trade deficit with China.
  • Energy Cooperation Roadmap
    • Disagreements on pricing and routes, esp. over Iran–Pakistan–India pipeline revival.

5. Institutional & Expansion Challenges

• • Rapid Expansion → Dilution of Agenda
    • With 10 members, 2 observers, 15 dialogue partners, and Laos newly added, concerns that SCO may become a “talk shop” without cohesion.
  • Decision-Making Gridlock
    • SCO works on consensus principle → makes it difficult to act on contentious issues (terrorism, border disputes, sanctions).

6. Human Rights & Political Systems

• • SCO states (China, Russia, Iran) emphasized “non-interference” & sovereignty, resisting Western criticism on rights.
  • India, while not openly opposing, subtly highlighted pluralism and inclusivity in its cultural diplomacy proposals (Civilisation Dialogue Forum).

Expansion and India’s concerns

1. Pakistan-backed Expansion Proposals

• • Turkey
    • Already a Dialogue Partner.
    • Has openly supported Pakistan on Kashmir in OIC and UN forums.
    • India objects to upgrading Turkey to full member, fearing it would internationalize the Kashmir issue within SCO.

2. China-backed Expansion Proposals

• • Syria
    • China and Russia favor bringing Syria (aligned with Iran–Russia bloc).
    • India cautious → instability, terrorism, and risk of SCO being seen as anti-West bloc.
  • Bangladesh
    • Mentioned in some discussions for observer/partner status.
    • India doesn’t oppose Bangladesh per se, but is wary of China using Bangladesh (Belt and Road projects, submarine base at Cox’s Bazar) to counter India’s influence.

3. West Asian Expansions

• • Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Bahrain → already Dialogue Partners since 2021.
  • India’s stance: Neutral to positive, since it strengthens energy & trade cooperation.
  • But concern: If OIC-dominated states gain more influence, Pakistan could use them to raise Kashmir indirectly.

4. Afghanistan

• • Technically an Observer State, but its full membership is frozen.
  • China, Russia, Pakistan keen on engaging Taliban regime.
  • India opposes recognition of Taliban, citing concerns on terrorism, drug trade, women’s rights.

India’s Core Concerns

1. Sovereignty Issues – CPEC runs through PoK, and any SCO project linked to it is unacceptable.

2. Kashmir Internationalisation – Upgrading Turkey or stronger OIC presence risks legitimizing Pakistan’s anti-India stance.

3. Terrorism Spillover – Afghanistan membership under Taliban would legitimise extremist regimes.

4. China’s Strategic Overreach – Expansions often align with BRI, undermining India’s connectivity push (Chabahar, INSTC).

So the countries India is most cautious about in SCO expansion are:

• • Turkey (political/strategic)
  • Afghanistan (security/terrorism)
  • Syria (geopolitical alignment with anti-West bloc)
  • Bangladesh (China’s influence, though not outright opposed)

This makes SCO one of the largest regional blocs in terms of population & geography:

• • 40% of world population
  • 30% of global GDP (PPP terms)
  • Covers Eurasia + West Asia + Indian Ocean interface

In summary, India’s membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) contributes to its engagement in a multilateral global framework and facilitates greater interaction with Central Asian member countries, aligning with its Connect Central Asia Policy. At the same time, some observers have described the SCO as a “diplomatic battlefield,” reflecting the complexities within the organization.

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