Dr. Jason Wahlang, Research Analyst at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis (MP-IDSA), delivered a presentation on “India and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation” during the Monday Morning Meeting held on 8 September 2025 at MP-IDSA. Dr. Prashant Kumar Singh, Research Fellow at MP-IDSA, moderated the session. Ambassador Sujan R. Chinoy, Director General of MP-IDSA, attended the meeting along with scholars from the Institute.

Executive Summary

The session aimed to discuss India’s engagement with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), its evolving strategy in the region, and its approach towards multilateral cooperation amid changing global dynamics.

The session examined India’s role and engagement with the SCO, placing special focus on the most recent summit in Tianjin, China. Dr. Wahlang traced India’s participation in the grouping over the past two decades and explained how New Delhi has tried to shape its strategy around three main themes: Security, Connectivity, and Opportunity. He noted India’s work in strengthening counterterrorism cooperation, its efforts to improve regional connectivity, and its continuing push for reform within the organisation. The session also drew attention to India’s careful positioning, balancing China’s influence and Pakistan’s presence in the SCO while maintaining its principle of strategic autonomy.

Detailed Report

Dr. Prashant Kumar Singh during his remarks, placed the recent SCO summit in Tianjin within a larger global backdrop. He pointed out how ongoing geopolitical shifts, including the trade turbulence during US President Donald Trump’s second term, have shaped the environment in which India engages with multilateral forums.

Following Dr. Singh’s introduction, Dr. Jason Wahlang gave a detailed presentation on the SCO’s growth and India’s evolving role within it. He described how the organisation has expanded over the years, now including a wide mix of members, observers, and dialogue partners, stretching its reach well beyond Central Asia. Focusing on India’s association with the SCO over the past twenty years, Dr. Wahlang explained that New Delhi’s approach is best understood through three themes: Security, Connectivity, and Opportunity. On the security front, he underlined India’s commitment to multilateral counterterrorism mechanisms. He stressed that New Delhi has consistently pushed for stronger cooperation against terror financing and radicalisation, while also ensuring that terrorism in South Asia is not sidelined in SCO discussions. Connectivity, he argued, is more than just about trade or infrastructure. For India, it is also a tool to build trust, strengthen regional ties, and widen its reach into Central Asia. At the same time, the Opportunity dimension reflects India’s calls for institutional reform inside the SCO and for expanding collaboration in new fields, including organised crime and cyber security. Dr. Wahlang pointed out that India has had some notable diplomatic successes. One example was the inclusion of the Pahalgam attacks in the SCO joint declaration, something that underscored New Delhi’s strong stance on terrorism despite resistance from other members. At the same time, he noted that India has refused to support statements that did not reflect its concerns, showing a readiness to stand firm even in a consensus-driven grouping.

Looking back over two decades, Dr. Wahlang described how India has used the SCO, along with bilateral ties, to steadily build its profile in Central Asia and with Russia. This approach, he argued, has reinforced India’s broader principle of strategic autonomy, keeping balanced relations with both Western powers and the Eurasian bloc. He also highlighted India’s role in raising Afghanistan-related concerns, particularly through the SCO’s Afghanistan Contact Group, and pointed to growth in trade, energy cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges as positive outcomes of India’s steady engagement. At the same time, he admitted that challenges remain. China’s dominant position in the SCO, coupled with India being the only major country outside the Belt and Road Initiative, makes it harder for New Delhi to gain from SCO-led economic projects. Pakistan’s role has also been problematic, often blocking progress on initiatives such as the TAPI gas pipeline. The continued reluctance of the SCO to address South Asian terrorism in its declarations has been another sticking point for India.

Ambassador Sujan R. Chinoy added his perspective, stressing that while the SCO is largely a China-driven forum, India’s active involvement helps to balance the narrative and prevent it from leaning too heavily towards anti-West positions. He reminded participants of how India had missed earlier opportunities to shape the narrative at groupings such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, and stressed that consistent engagement with the SCO was vital to safeguard Indian interests.

Questions and Comments

Ambassador Sujan R. Chinoy pointed out India’s role in keeping anti-Western postures in check within the SCO. He also spoke about India’s position on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).  He also raised a point about Azerbaijan, noting its closeness with Pakistan and Turkey, and wondered how that would affect India’s ties with it.

Gp. Capt. (Dr.) RK Narang (Retd.) asked about how to improve India-Azerbaijan relations, especially given Azerbaijan’s alignment with Pakistan and Turkey. Dr. Wahlang replied that while India and Azerbaijan have historical and cultural links, political realities make things complicated. He mentioned that Azerbaijan’s government and public opinion often support Pakistan. He also noted India’s support for Armenia, which adds another layer of tension.

Dr. Wahlang added that India still has concerns about sovereignty, particularly with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. He also noted that India could focus on building direct ties with Central Asian countries, even without fully supporting the BRI.

Dr. Deepika Saraswat brought up peace in the South Caucasus, including the Zangezur corridor. Dr Wahlang said mistrust and political instability make a lasting peace unlikely soon. He noted that tensions and sporadic actions are expected to continue.

Dr. Abhishek Mishra asked about Central Asia and the growing influence of China versus Russia. Dr. Wahlang pointed out that China is increasing its economic and security presence, like setting up a police mission in Tajikistan. Russia is still active, trying to maintain influence. India, he said, can still pursue its own multi-aligned strategy.

Finally, when asked about India’s future in the SCO, Dr. Wahlang said he was optimistic. He mentioned that India has balanced its ties with Russia and China while staying engaged in Central Asia. He also highlighted opportunities with the SCO’s new dialogue partners in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Overall, he stressed that India should keep being active in the SCO to protect its interests and shape the organisation’s direction.

Dr. Wahlang added that India has slowly strengthened its position over the last twenty years. He said participation is not only about attending meetings. It is about raising concerns, protecting national interests, and keeping India’s strategic independence. India balances its ties with China and Russia, and also engages with other Central Asian countries.

At the end, Dr. Prashant Kumar Singh wrapped up the discussion by observing that India’s role in the SCO is important, even though challenges remain. China continues to have a strong influence, and Pakistan still blocks some initiatives. Some connectivity projects are slow, but India’s presence is necessary to protect its interests.

Report prepared by Mr. Athul T. Dharan, Intern, East Asia Centre, MP-IDSA.