25th SCO Summit, Tianjin

Introduction

  • The 25th SCO Summit brought together member states to address terrorism, global governance, economic cooperation, and sociocultural issues.
  • India’s engagement within the SCO spans startups, traditional medicine, Buddhist heritage, and digital inclusion, aligning with inclusive development and Global South aspirations.
  • The organisation also serves as a forum to advocate more inclusive global governance and institutional reform.

Why in news?

  • The Prime Minister of India participated in the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, held in Tianjin, China.

Background

  • Role in multilateralism: Expanding geopolitical reach with widening membership and partnerships, challenging traditional Western alliances and providing space for Global South voices.
  • Security and counterterrorism through the Afghanistan Contact Group and the Regional AntiTerrorist Structure in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
  • Connectivity and economic integration as a catalyst in Central Asia, with the SCO Business Council and Interbank Consortium pushing multilateral economic projects.
  • Platform for civilisational and developmental cooperation through initiatives such as startups, traditional medicine, Buddhist heritage, and digital inclusion.
  • Reform agenda seeking United Nations reform, sovereign equality, multipolarity, and a more democratic and just world order.
  • Challenges undermining effectiveness:
  • Weak security mechanisms, with exercises not translating into action against terrorist organisations, and credibility concerns linked to inclusion of states associated with terrorism.
  • Unequal power dynamics leaving Central Asian states dominated by larger powers, making the “Shanghai Spirit” more rhetorical than real.
  • Ineffective economic integration, with poorly implemented agreements, very low intraregional trade, and institutions compared unfavourably with ASEAN and increasingly likened to SAARC.
  • Failure to institutionalise cooperation in development, energy, and free trade, as formal structures operate more as networking forums than decisionmaking bodies.
  • India’s concerns within SCO:
  • China’s attempt to reshape the platform to serve its geoeconomic and strategic interests, especially to promote the BRI, risking India being sidelined.
  • Connectivity frictions due to opposition to the BRI, particularly the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor through PoK, and India remaining outside key initiatives.
  • Security anxieties from China’s “String of Pearls”, with rivalry against India’s “Necklace of Diamonds” weakening trust.
  • An antiWestern perception of the SCO that complicates India’s ties with the US, EU, and Quad partners.
  • Persistent terrorism and the Pakistan factor, with efforts to name Pakistanbased groups often blocked.

Significance

  • Key outcomes of the 2025 Tianjin summit: Counterterrorism: The Tianjin Declaration condemned terrorism, including the Pahalgam attack, called to end crossborder movement of terrorists, and opposed use of extremist groups for mercenary purposes.
  • Membership and partnerships: Laos was accepted as a partner country, taking the SCO’s total strength to 27 (10 members, including India, and 17 partners).
  • Global governance: Proposal of the Global Governance Initiative to promote sovereign equality, multilateralism, and a just global order, reflecting India’s vision of “One Earth, One Family, One Future”.
  • Opposition to unilateral coercive measures, including economic sanctions, that contravene United Nations and World Trade Organization principles.
  • Cultural and social values: Welcome for the UNGA resolution against glorification of Nazism, neoNazism, racism, and xenophobia; reaffirmation of peopletopeople engagement, mutual respect, and collaboration.
  • Regional situations: Condemnation of military actions in Gaza and Iran; emphasis on inclusive governance in Afghanistan for lasting peace.
  • Economic and development cooperation: Emphasis on stabilising global trade, expanding bilateral trade and investment, and setting up an SCO Development Bank.
  • India’s approach to balance differences and foster cooperation:
  • Strategic multialignment by engaging in both Westernled and China/Russialed platforms to pursue strategic autonomy and multipolarity.
  • Selective engagement in SCO security mechanisms, avoiding commitments that threaten sovereignty, separating contested from cooperative domains, and limiting cooperation with China to nonsensitive sectors like renewables, EVs, and AI.
  • Leveraging strategic partnership with Russia to counter Chinese dominance, including support for reviving the RIC trilateral as a bridge for India–China engagement.
  • Border management through troop readiness along the LAC alongside disengagement agreements (Depsang, Demchok 2024) and highlevel dialogue.
  • Using SCO/BRICS to shape Eurasian and Global South narratives while balancing China’s assertiveness via Quad and IndoPacific frameworks.

Facts/General knowledge

  • The SCO represents about 23% of global GDP and 42% of the world’s population.
  • A North Atlantic Treaty Organization member, Turkey, is a dialogue partner of the SCO.
  • Connectivity corridors and projects associated with the SCO context include the International North–South Transport Corridor and Chabahar Port.

49th PRAGATI Meeting Chaired by PM Modi

Introduction

  • The 49th meeting of PRAGATI was chaired by the Prime Minister to review priority public projects and guide their implementation.

Why in news?

  • A set of large, highimpact projects was taken up for timebound review.
  • The Prime Minister assessed progress with emphasis on timelines and public benefit.

Background

  • PRAGATI is an online platform that brings together the Prime Minister, central ministries, and state officials to track the progress of important projects.

Significance

  • Clear deadlines were mandated, with a reminder that delays raise costs and hurt citizens.
  • Stronger coordination among central, state, and local departments was sought to resolve bottlenecks quickly.
  • States and Union Territories were encouraged to conduct regular reviews of their own projects.
  • Citizen convenience and support for business growth were underscored as key outcomes.
  • A resultsfocused approach was insisted upon, valuing tangible benefits over mere completion reports.
  • Compliance with safety and quality standards was reinforced.
  • States were urged to pursue reforms to enhance speed, efficiency, and new opportunities.

Facts/General knowledge

  • Date and venue: 24 September 2025, South Block, New Delhi.
  • Projects reviewed: Eight, across 15 States and Union Territories.
  • Investment size: More than ₹65,000 crore in total.
  • Sectors involved: Mines, railways, water, industrial corridors, and electricity.