The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Beijing showcased the evolving role of the forum in Eurasian politics and development. Once seen mainly as a security-focused platform, the SCO is increasingly emphasizing economic cooperation, infrastructure, and financial support.
At the summit, China announced plans to establish an SCO development bank and offered soft loans and new credit lines for member states over the next three years. While the total amount is modest globally, it signals support for countries like Pakistan, which face economic challenges. The initiative reflects a shift toward using the SCO as a forum for tangible development projects, beyond security and diplomacy.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the importance of sovereignty, mutual development, and inclusive cooperation in his address. He highlighted opportunities for industrial, agricultural, and technological collaboration within the SCO framework, presenting Pakistan as a key partner in the bloc’s new economic phase. Sharif also underscored that external funding could support projects like the second phase of CPEC, creating jobs and boosting exports.
India, represented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, took a more cautious approach. Modi stressed countering terrorism and protecting sovereignty, while highlighting India’s preferred connectivity projects, including the Chabahar port and the International North–South Transport Corridor. Delhi remains wary of projects, like CPEC, that cross disputed territories, even as the SCO’s focus shifts toward development and financing.
Observers note that the SCO is no longer just a forum for dialogue. It is becoming a platform where resources, politics, and strategy intersect. China continues to lead its development-oriented agenda, with Pakistan positioned as a beneficiary, while India maintains a cautious stance emphasizing principle and sovereignty.
The summit highlighted contrasting national strategies. Pakistan seeks capital, investment, and legitimacy, while India prioritizes red lines and security. The SCO’s evolving role shows it is growing beyond a rhetorical platform into a forum shaping real regional outcomes through finance, connectivity, and cooperative projects.
Read Also: Putin to Attend SCO Summit in China with Xi, Modi, Erdogan
