SCO Council of Heads of Government Meeting 2026
India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to represent India at the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), to be held on 19–20 October 2026 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The meeting will focus on strengthening multilateral cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity, innovation and cultural exchanges among SCO member countries. The meeting is important for India’s regional diplomacy and engagement with Central Asian countries. It also provides an institutional platform to discuss economic cooperation and shared developmental priorities.
Key Agenda of the SCO CHG Meeting 2026
The Council of Heads of Government meeting will focus on expanding cooperation among SCO member states in several important areas.
Major agenda items include:
- Trade and Economic Cooperation: Strengthening regional economic partnerships and investment opportunities.
- Connectivity: Promoting transport, infrastructure and regional connectivity initiatives.
- Innovation and Technology: Encouraging cooperation in startups, technological innovation and digital public infrastructure.
- Cultural Cooperation: Strengthening people-to-people contacts and cultural-humanitarian exchanges.
- Institutional Matters: Reviewing ongoing initiatives and considering decisions relating to the SCO’s financial and institutional functioning.
India’s participation reflects its continuing engagement with regional multilateral institutions and its interest in strengthening economic and diplomatic cooperation across Eurasia.
About the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a permanent intergovernmental organisation established on 15 June 2001 in Shanghai, China. Six countries founded it: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
The organisation evolved from the Shanghai Five mechanism, established in 1996 to promote confidence-building and cooperation on border-related security issues. The SCO aims to strengthen mutual trust, regional stability, security cooperation, economic development and cultural relations among its member states.
SCO Member Countries
The SCO currently has 10 full member states.
| Country | Year of joining |
|---|---|
| China | 2001 |
| Russia | 2001 |
| Kazakhstan | 2001 |
| Kyrgyzstan | 2001 |
| Tajikistan | 2001 |
| Uzbekistan | 2001 |
| India | 2017 |
| Pakistan | 2017 |
| Iran | 2023 |
| Belarus | 2024 |
India and Pakistan became full members during the Astana Summit in 2017. Iran joined in 2023, followed by Belarus in 2024.
Major Institutions of the SCO
The SCO operates through several institutional mechanisms.
1. Council of Heads of State (CHS): It is the highest decision-making body of the organisation. It determines major priorities and strategic directions.
2. Council of Heads of Government (CHG): It primarily considers economic cooperation, discusses multilateral initiatives and approves the organisation’s budget.
3. SCO Secretariat: Located in Beijing, China, it serves as a permanent administrative body coordinating the organisation’s activities.
4. Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS): Located in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, it coordinates cooperation among member states against terrorism, separatism and extremism.
The SCO’s official languages are Chinese and Russian.
SCO Charter and Objectives
The SCO Charter was signed in 2002 and provides the organisation’s legal and institutional framework. Its major objectives include strengthening mutual trust, promoting regional peace and stability, combating terrorism and extremism, and expanding economic, scientific and cultural cooperation. The organisation also supports cooperation in areas such as energy, transportation, environmental protection and regional development.
India’s Role and Significance in the SCO
India became a full member of the SCO in 2017. Its membership provides an important platform for engagement with Central Asian countries, Russia, China and other Eurasian partners. India uses SCO mechanisms to promote cooperation in startups, innovation, digital public infrastructure and people-to-people exchanges. The organisation is also relevant to India’s Connect Central Asia Policy and broader efforts to strengthen economic and strategic relations with Eurasian countries. However, differences among member states on geopolitical and security issues can create challenges for consensus-based cooperation.
Previous SCO Council of Heads of Government Meeting
The 24th SCO Council of Heads of Government Meeting was held in Moscow, Russia, on 18 November 2025. India was represented by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The 2026 meeting in Dushanbe will continue discussions on economic cooperation and the organisation’s institutional functioning.
SCO Council of Heads of Government Meeting 2026: Important Facts for Exams
- Organisation: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
- Established: 15 June 2001.
- Place of establishment: Shanghai, China.
- Founding members: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
- Total full members: 10.
- India joined: 2017.
- Iran joined: 2023.
- Belarus joined: 2024.
- SCO Charter: Signed in 2002.
- Official languages: Chinese and Russian.
- SCO Secretariat: Beijing, China.
- Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS): Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
- Highest decision-making body: Council of Heads of State.
- Council responsible for approving the budget: Council of Heads of Government.
- 25th SCO CHG Meeting: Scheduled for 19–20 October 2026.
- Host city: Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
- India’s representative: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
- Previous CHG Meeting: Moscow, Russia, November 2025.
SCO Council of Heads of Government Meeting 2026 FAQs
The 25th SCO CHG Meeting is scheduled to take place in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on 19–20 October 2026.
India is scheduled to be represented by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
The SCO has 10 full member countries, including India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Iran and Belarus.
The SCO Secretariat is located in Beijing, China, while the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure is based in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
The Council of Heads of State is the highest decision-making body and determines the organisation’s strategic priorities. The Council of Heads of Government focuses mainly on economic cooperation, institutional matters and approval of the SCO budget.
