26th SCO Summit, Bishkek, 2026: Theme, Key Focus Areas and Indian Representatives

The 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Leadership Summit is being held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from August 31 to September 1, 2026, bringing together leaders from member, partner and observer countries to discuss regional security, economic cooperation and connectivity. The summit holds special significance this year as it marks 25 years since the founding of the SCO.

Key Details of 26th SCO Summit 2026

1. Dates: August 31 – September 1, 2026
2. Location: Yrys Ordo Congress Hall, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
3. Host: Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov
4. Milestone: Marks the 25th anniversary of the founding of the SCO
5. India Priorities: Three Pillars - Security, Connectivity, and Opportunity

Participating Countries of 26th SCO Summit 2026

The 26th SCO Summit in Bishkek brings together 27 participating countries and entities:

1. 10 Member States: India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus.
2. 2 Observer Countries: Mongolia and Afghanistan (or as listed traditionally).
3. 15 Dialogue Partner Countries: Countries including Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and others taking part in the expanded 'SCO Plus' format.

Theme of 26th SCO Summit 2026

The summit is being held under the theme "25 Years of the SCO: Together for Sustainable Peace, Development and Prosperity," reflecting the organisation's journey over the past two and a half decades and its continued focus on collective growth among member nations.

Core Agenda of 26th SCO Summit 2026

The core Agenda of 26th SCO Summit 2026 includes Counterterrorism, rejecting double standards on security, regional connectivity, territorial integrity, trade, energy security, and digital/startup cooperation for the youth

1. Regional Security: Security continues to be a top priority for the grouping, with member nations looking to deepen joint efforts against terrorism, separatism, and extremism, while also tackling newer security concerns as they emerge.
2. Counter Terrorism: India has consistently pushed back against selective approaches to fighting terrorism. The SCO platform stresses a united, no-exceptions stance against terrorism in every form.
3. Organised Crime: Tackling cross-border organised crime is another key focus, with plans for an International Centre for Combating Organised Crime aimed at building stronger institutional ties among members.
4. Cyber Threats: The agenda also takes up growing concerns around cybercrime, digital attacks, and misuse of technology, recognising how closely digital security is now tied to both regional stability and economic progress.
5. Transport Connectivity: Strengthening transport networks across the Eurasian region remains a major economic goal, with the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway line seen as a key project to improve connectivity and ease movement of goods.
6. Trade Cooperation: Member states are working toward boosting trade among themselves, improving transit routes, encouraging investment, and building deeper economic ties across the region.
7. Energy Security: Energy remains a significant discussion point, with talks around a possible SCO Energy Consortium aimed at improving collective energy security among member nations.
8. Sustainable Development: Climate action, environmental protection, and sustainable growth continue to be priority areas, along with cooperation on green energy, biodiversity, and water resource management.
9. Development Finance: Discussions also continue around setting up stronger financial mechanisms for regional projects, including proposals for an SCO Development Bank to support economic initiatives.
10. Humanitarian Cooperation: Cultural, educational, and people-to-people exchanges remain an important part of the SCO framework, helping build stronger ties between citizens of member nations.

Indian Participation at 26th SCO Summit 2026

India, a full SCO member since 2017, is represented at the summit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is expected to highlight the country's priorities of security, connectivity, and opportunity. Alongside the main sessions, he held bilateral meetings with leaders from Russia, Iran, Armenia, and the Kyrgyz Republic, and also attended the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games in Bishkek, where an 87-member Indian contingent of 73 athletes is competing across 43 sporting disciplines.

What Is the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)?

The SCO is a regional grouping formed to strengthen cooperation among member countries on security, trade, and connectivity. This year's summit brings together 10 member states, 15 partner countries, and two observer countries, and is being held in the expanded "SCO Plus" format, allowing wider participation on regional and global issues.

Other Leaders Present at 26th SCO Summit 2026

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin were both present, briefly interacting with PM Modi during the group photograph. Other notable attendees included Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, along with leaders from Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Mongolia, Laos, and Togo, plus UN Secretary-General António Guterres.