New Delhi/Bishkek : Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov visited the venue of the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit as the country intensifies preparations for the high-level gathering scheduled for September 1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to participate in the summit along with leaders of other SCO member states as International Media reported . The information is shared on ‘X’ too.
According to media reports the visit comes as Kyrgyzstan prepares to host the SCO’s annual summit under its 2025–26 chairmanship. At the conclusion of the 2025 Tianjin summit, Kyrgyzstan formally assumed the SCO chairmanship, with President Japarov outlining the theme of its presidency as “25 years of the SCO: together for a stable world, development, and prosperity.”
From Security Forum to Broader Regional Cooperation
Established in 2001, the SCO has evolved into a major regional platform covering security, counter-terrorism, connectivity, trade, investment, technology, energy and cultural cooperation.
The previous summit in Tianjin, China, on September 1, 2025, produced the Tianjin Declaration and saw the adoption of 24 documents, including the SCO Development Strategy through 2035. Member states also agreed on initiatives concerning an SCO Anti-Drug Centre and a centre focused on countering security challenges and threats.
At the Tianjin summit, PM Modi outlined India’s approach to the SCO around three key priorities — Security, Connectivity and Opportunity. He called for stronger collective action against terrorism and terror financing while also advocating greater cooperation in connectivity, start-ups, innovation, youth empowerment and shared heritage. India also proposed a Civilizational Dialogue Forum to strengthen people-to-people links among SCO countries.
India’s Contribution to the SCO
India has been an active member of the organisation since 2017 and has sought to expand the SCO agenda beyond traditional security concerns. During India’s 2022–23 chairmanship, the country hosted more than 140 meetings and events, including 14 ministerial-level meetings, and introduced new areas of cooperation covering start-ups and innovation, traditional medicine, digital inclusion, youth empowerment and shared Buddhist heritage.
The 2024 Astana Summit also focused strongly on regional security, counter-terrorism, connectivity and respect for sovereignty, while India called for decisive action against cross-border terrorism and greater cooperation in areas such as technology and artificial intelligence.
Kyrgyzstan Hosts the Next Chapter
With Kyrgyzstan now steering the organisation, the September 1 summit is expected to provide an important platform for member states to review regional security challenges and advance cooperation in economic development, connectivity, counter-terrorism, technology and sustainable development.
President Japarov’s inspection of the summit venue signals the final phase of preparations for a meeting that will bring together leaders from across the SCO region. For India, PM Modi’s participation will provide another opportunity to advance New Delhi’s priorities of security, connectivity and economic opportunity, while engaging with partners across Central Asia and the wider Eurasian region.