MANMOHAN DHAR
Prime minister Modi gives a very pragmatic meaning to SCO terming it as “Security, Connectivity and Opportunity “
And when he said so he meant global peace , socio economic stability and development and opportunity for making the world a better place to live.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin has emerged as more than a regional congregation-it has begun to shape itself as a platform for rebalancing global power equations. At a time when geopolitical uncertainty dominates the world, the discussions in Tianjin carried undertones of unity, resilience, and a collective push toward a multipolar order.
Founded in 2001, the SCO initially focused on security cooperation and counterterrorism. Over time, its scope has widened, encompassing economic integration, energy partnerships, and cultural exchanges. The Tianjin summit reinforced this evolution. What was once a Eurasian grouping now projects itself as a voice for the Global South, challenging the monopoly of Western-led institutions.
The presence and active participation of China, Russia, India, Central Asian states, and newly engaged observers emphasized that the SCO is not just a regional dialogue club but a geopolitical counterweight.
The deliberations in Tianjin highlighted three key themes:
- Economic Realignment: With Western economies slowing and protectionism rising, SCO members underscored the need for alternative trade corridors, digital currency cooperation, and greater intra-regional commerce.
- Security Architecture: Terrorism, separatism, and extremism continue to be priority concerns. Yet, the focus at Tianjin also shifted toward cyber-security, artificial intelligence, and technological dominance-fields that define 21st-century power.
- Energy and Connectivity: The summit stressed the importance of energy security and green transitions. From Central Asia’s resource wealth to China’s Belt and Road corridors, the SCO seeks to build an interconnected web that minimizes Western chokeholds.
India’s presence in the SCO is always carefully watched. At Tianjin, New Delhi balanced its strategic autonomy, engaging with both Russia and Central Asia while cautiously navigating its differences with China and Pakistan. India’s stress on counterterrorism and its vision for connectivity projects that respect sovereignty resonated well with partners outside the West.
The bilaterals between India and Pakistan, China and the one with Russia is definitely going to be a game changer in the existing geo political world order.
With Prime Minister Modi and the vision he carries about the world peace, partnership and economic prosperity with zero tolerance to violence and terrorism, this SCO is bound to pave a headway for the global unity, of course with a strong message to all those who think they can intervene at their sweet will to simply demonstrate their strategic highhandedness to disrupt the sincere efforts of interested parties to work for a better future for the mankind. The Tianjin summit signaled that the SCO is gradually transforming into an ideological counter-narrative to NATO and the G7. Its philosophy rests not on military alliances but on economic interdependence, cultural exchange, and respect for sovereignty. For many developing nations, this offers a viable alternative to Western conditionalities and interventions.
The world is witnessing a slow but steady drift from unipolarity toward multipolarity. The SCO’s growing relevance, particularly after the Tianjin summit, highlights that global governance cannot remain the monopoly of a few Western powers. Eurasia is positioning itself as the heartland of the next century, where economic corridors, digital alliances, and security pacts will redraw boundaries of influence.
The SCO at Tianjin has signaled a transformative moment in global politics. By bringing together diverse nations under the vision of collective growth and mutual respect, it has presented itself as more than a regional grouping-it is an emerging pillar of the new world order. As power equations shift, the SCO’s journey from Tianjin may well be remembered as a turning point in redefining 21st-century geopolitics.
Though the SCO summit at Tianjin, China , it is observed, may transform the world into a new geopolitical entity, but constraints and challenges are bound to be met and overcome. As is said, there are neither permanent friends nor enemies, this SCO will see a monumental shift in the world order.
