Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
In one line: The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a Eurasian grouping, founded in 2001, for political, security and economic cooperation.
Members
It grew out of the 'Shanghai Five' (China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan) and was founded with Uzbekistan in 2001. India and Pakistan joined as full members in 2017, Iran in 2023 and Belarus in 2024, making ten members.
How it works
The Council of Heads of State, which meets once a year, is the supreme decision-making body. The member holding the chairmanship hosts the leaders' summit: India chaired in 2023, and Pakistan, chair since September 2026, is to host the 2027 summit in Islamabad. Its permanent bodies are the Secretariat in Beijing and the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure in Tashkent.
Why it is in the news
Pakistan took over the presidency after the Bishkek summit of 2026, so SCO meetings, including that of national coordinators, are being held there.
Where to go next
- Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure
- Simla Agreement and bilateralism
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in the news
- Explained: First official Indian visit to Pakistan since Operation Sindoor 3 October 2026
The grouping Pakistan now chairs
- At the SCO summit in Bishkek, Modi calls for dismantling the terror ecosystem 2 September 2026
origins, members, bodies and India's place
Previous-year questions on this
- 2023 · GS2 · 10 marks 'Virus of Conflict is affecting the functioning of the SCO' In the light of the above statement point out the role of India in mitigating the problems.
- 2021 · GS2 · 15 marks Critically examine the aims and objectives of SCO. What importance does it hold for India?
- 2022 · Prelims Consider the following: 1. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank 2. Missile Technology Control Regime 3. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. India is a member of which of the above?