Introduction
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), founded in 2001, has evolved into a major regional bloc representing over 40% of the world’s population and nearly one-third of global GDP. It aims to foster political, economic, and security cooperation among its members, which include China, Russia, India, Pakistan, and several Central Asian countries.
The 2024 SCO Summit held in Astana, Kazakhstan, was of particular interest due to the rapidly shifting global order. With issues like multipolarity, terrorism, energy cooperation, and regional connectivity dominating discussions, the summit reflected both the challenges and opportunities of the current geopolitical climate.
1. Key Highlights of the Astana Summit 2024
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Theme: “Strengthening Multilateral Dialogue – Striving Towards Sustainable Peace and Development”
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Host Nation: Kazakhstan (President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev presided)
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Date: July 3–4, 2024
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Attendees: Leaders from all 8 member states, including:
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India (represented by PM Narendra Modi)
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China (President Xi Jinping)
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Russia (President Vladimir Putin)
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Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan
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Observer States and Dialogue Partners: Belarus, Iran, Mongolia, and others
This was the first in-person summit after the COVID-19 disruptions, marking a return to traditional diplomacy and face-to-face negotiations.
2. India's Participation and Strategic Messaging
India’s presence was significant, as the summit occurred less than a month after the Lok Sabha elections 2024, signaling continuity in foreign policy under the NDA government.
a. PM Modi’s Address
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Emphasized zero tolerance towards terrorism.
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Advocated for respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, indirectly referencing China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
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Highlighted India's focus on connectivity that is consultative, transparent, and inclusive.
b. India's Strategic Goals at the Summit
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Strengthening cooperation in counterterrorism and security.
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Balancing China’s growing dominance within the SCO.
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Deepening bilateral ties with Central Asian nations.
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Promoting digital, health, and energy cooperation.
India opted out of endorsing China's BRI again, maintaining its consistent position that infrastructure projects must respect sovereignty.
3. Key Agenda Items and Outcomes
a. Counterterrorism Cooperation
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Reaffirmation of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) as the coordinating body.
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Call for unified action against radicalization, cross-border terrorism, and cyber threats.
b. Economic and Trade Initiatives
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Proposals for creating a unified digital platform for trade.
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Support for local currency settlements, especially amid sanctions and dollar volatility.
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Plans to boost cooperation in green energy, transport, and digital technology.
c. Energy and Connectivity Projects
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Expansion of energy cooperation, especially in renewables and power grids.
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Support for multimodal connectivity projects like:
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International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)
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Chabahar Port development (India-Iran-Afghanistan-Central Asia)
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d. Climate and Sustainable Development
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Recognition of climate resilience and water security as regional priorities.
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Proposal to set up an SCO Environmental Cooperation Fund.
4. Geopolitical Undercurrents
a. Russia-China Axis
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Reinforced their alignment against Western sanctions and NATO expansion.
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Promoted a multipolar world order with reduced Western influence.
b. India’s Balancing Act
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India remains engaged with both the West (via QUAD, G20, etc.) and East (via SCO, BRICS).
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India’s strategic autonomy was visible as it asserted independence in foreign and defense policies.
c. Iran’s Participation
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2024 marked Iran’s first participation as a full member.
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With Iran, connectivity through Chabahar and INSTC becomes more viable.
5. Challenges Within the SCO Framework
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India-Pakistan tensions often affect consensus-building.
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Sino-Indian border disputes cast a shadow on bilateral cooperation.
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Lack of a unified economic framework limits the group’s functional depth.
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The diverse political systems and foreign policy alignments of member states make coordination difficult.
Conclusion
The SCO Summit 2024 in Astana demonstrated the relevance of the SCO as a regional platform for dialogue amid global instability. As the world grapples with new geopolitical fault lines—rising multipolarity, climate urgency, energy transition, and digital transformation—forums like the SCO have gained prominence.
India used the summit to voice its principled positions on terrorism, connectivity, and sovereignty, carefully navigating a delicate diplomatic space dominated by rival powers like China and Pakistan. While the SCO’s decision-making remains slow due to internal contradictions, it provides a valuable mechanism for regional engagement, soft power projection, and economic outreach.
Moving forward, the success of the SCO will depend on its ability to transform dialogue into action, harmonize member interests, and address both conventional and emerging threats in the region. The Astana Summit has set the tone for strengthened multilateralism and deeper Eurasian cooperation in the years to come.