India presses SCO for uniform action on terror at Dushanbe meeting

The brief in 6 cards

1. Note1 / 6

   WHY IN NEWS?

   • Rajnath Singh represented India at the 25th meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on 19–20 October 2026.
   • He said terrorism can never be justified and there can be no double standards in tackling it.
   • He called for action against those who finance, support or shelter terrorists.
   • Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar was present.
   • Members endorsed a joint communique, the SCO budget for 2027 and the 2026–30 trade cooperation action plan.
2. Note2 / 6

   INDIA'S OTHER MESSAGES

   • Terror and development: Terrorism hurts investment, trade and opportunities for young people.
   • Institutional discipline: More bodies do not mean more results; new mechanisms must avoid duplication.
   • Sovereignty in connectivity: Projects must respect territorial integrity.
   • New initiative: India will host the first SCO Civilisation Dialogue Forum by the end of 2026.
   • Concerns: Energy and food security for members.
3. Note3 / 6

   KEY CONCEPTS

   1. What is the SCO?

   The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation was founded in 2001. It deals with security, economic and cultural cooperation in Eurasia. India and Pakistan became full members in 2017.

   2. What is the Council of Heads of Government?

   It is the SCO's second-highest body, after the Council of Heads of State. It mainly handles economic cooperation and the budget.

   3. What is RATS?

   The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure, based in Tashkent, coordinates intelligence-sharing on terrorism among members.

   4. Why does India oppose CPEC?

   The China–Pakistan Economic Corridor passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which India regards as its territory.

4. Note4 / 6

   CONNECTIVITY AND ITS LIMITS

   • INSTC: The International North–South Transport Corridor links India to Russia and Eurasia through Iran.
   • Chabahar: The Iranian port gives India a route to Afghanistan and Central Asia that avoids Pakistan.
   • Sovereignty clash: India's objection to CPEC shapes its stance on SCO connectivity language.
   • Consensus problem: Disagreements over terrorism have blocked joint statements at some SCO meetings, including a defence ministers' meeting in 2025.
5. Note5 / 6

   PSIR LENS

   This card applies political science frameworks to the event.

   • Liberal institutionalism: Institutions like the SCO reduce mistrust through repeated contact and shared rules. RATS and the trade plan reflect this.
   • Realism: States use forums to pursue national interest. India uses the SCO to press Pakistan on terrorism; consensus rules let any member block outcomes.
   • Regional security complex theory: Barry Buzan and Ole Wæver argue security is clustered regionally. South Asia's India–Pakistan rivalry is imported into the wider Eurasian SCO.
   • Multi-alignment: India works with Russia and China in the SCO while partnering the US elsewhere. This reflects strategic autonomy rather than bloc membership.
6. Note6 / 6

   WAY FORWARD

   These are the article's suggestions, not adopted policy.

   • Apply one standard to all terrorism, in line with the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.
   • Strengthen RATS with real-time intelligence-sharing and joint action on terror financing.
   • Address root causes through jobs, education and community engagement.
   • Build connectivity that respects sovereignty and can withstand disruption.
   • Stay pragmatic: Firm on terrorism, open on trade, energy and technology.

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