NEWS: India was represented by the Union Defence Minister at the 25th SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Joint Communiqué: Adopted by the Council.
• Budget: SCO budget for 2027 approved.
• Economic Cooperation: Programme of Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation Action Plan (2026–2030) finalised.
• Terrorism: India called for dismantling the entire terrorism ecosystem → No double standards + no support, financing or shelter for terrorists.
• Cultural Initiative: First SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum to be hosted by India in late 2026.
• Connectivity: India supported the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC) + Iran’s Chabahar Port.
• Core Principle: Connectivity must respect consultation, sovereignty + territorial integrity.

ABOUT SCO

• Full Form: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
• Establishment: 2001 in Shanghai, China.
• Nature: Permanent intergovernmental organisation.
• Predecessor: Shanghai Five (1996).

MEMBER STATES — 10

• Founding members: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan + Uzbekistan.
• Joined in 2017: India + Pakistan.
• Joined in 2023: Iran.
• Joined in 2024: Belarus.

PERMANENT BODIES

• SCO Secretariat: Beijing, China.
• Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS): Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

COUNCILS OF THE SCO

• Council of Heads of State (CHS): Highest decision-making body.
• Council of Heads of Government (CHG): Second-highest decision-making body → Meets annually.
• Adopts the SCO budget.
• Decides on economic cooperation + other practical cooperation among member states.