Washington: With global trade wars at their peak, sparked by recent “Trump tariffs,” many nations including India have begun forging new diplomatic equations to strengthen their economies in the global market. In this context, the recently concluded Shanghai Summit has garnered significant attention for championing the concept of the “Global South” against the monopolistic policies of Western countries.
The 2025 Shanghai Conference was held in Tianjin, China, with all member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in attendance. This included China, India, Russia, and Central Asian nations, who engaged in meaningful discussions on a range of global issues, from trade to terrorism. The 25th SCO summit was notably focused on countering American dominance, with member states advocating for a new global order based on multipolarity, multilateralism, and the leadership of the Global South.
The Evolution of the SCO
The SCO was established in 2001 in Shanghai, China, initially known as the “Shanghai Five,” comprising China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. It later expanded to include Uzbekistan, followed by India and Pakistan in 2017. The organization’s membership grew further with the addition of Iran in 2023 and Belarus in 2024, bringing the total to ten member nations. Geographically, the SCO is the world’s largest regional organization, contributing approximately 20% to global GDP. Its core purpose is to foster coordinated efforts against terrorism, and promote regional peace, stability, and prosperity.
India’s Pivotal Role
At the summit, India, Russia, and China delivered a message of unity and voiced their opposition to Western dominance. India played a pivotal role, showcasing a confident and vigilant image—a nation committed to meeting international standards without compromising its sovereignty. In Tianjin, India emphasized the philosophy of “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” which is rooted in its ancient “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” tradition. This perspective is highly relevant today, as the world grapples with conflicts, and India offers a message of unity and peace.
India also stressed a zero-tolerance policy on terrorism, urging the regional organization to rise above double standards and adopt a collective approach. India’s Prime Minister, in his address, identified terrorism, separatism, and racism as shared global challenges. He outlined India’s vision for the SCO on three pillars: security, connectivity, and opportunity, while also highlighting India’s progressive development story to the world.
A Unified Declaration
Discussions at the summit also covered terrorism, emerging technologies, energy cooperation, and financial self-reliance. The members unanimously issued a joint declaration with a focus on a future roadmap and strategies for the Global South. Key points of the declaration included: condemning double standards on terrorism, committing to shared efforts to stop cross-border terrorism, emphasizing regional security, promoting sustainable development through global unity, commending the SCO Think Tank group, and expanding economic cooperation.
