Modi Attends 2026 SCO Summit in Central Asia, Pushes for Peace and Regional Ties

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was founded in 1996 to foster security, economic, and political cooperation among Eurasian countries. India joined as a full member in 2017, seeking a stronger voice in regional affairs and closer ties with Central Asian nations.

Ahead of the 2026 summit, India had been recalibrating its approach to Central Asia, after Prime Minister Modi skipped the 2024 summit in Astana. This year, Modi traveled to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan from August 29 to September 1, signaling a renewed focus on the region and the SCO platform.

On August 29, Prime Minister Modi arrived in Central Asia, beginning his official engagements in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. He met with several leaders, including Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, to discuss regional cooperation and attend cultural events, according to the Times of India.

During the summit in Bishkek, Modi held bilateral meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. His discussion with Putin focused on the ongoing war in Ukraine. Modi explicitly called for an end to hostilities, stating "every day of war sets humanity back," as reported by Mint and Indian Express. The leaders also talked about defense, energy, trade, and investment.

A notable moment was the public handshake between Modi, Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, which signaled a willingness to thaw India-China ties, according to Mint and India Today. Modi also interacted briefly with Xi Jinping, further suggesting a slight warming of relations after previous tensions.

The summit was marked by calls for stronger regional cooperation on security and trade. Modi pushed for greater economic connectivity within the SCO but warned that conflicts in West Asia were impacting energy security and maritime trade, as reported by Business Line. He also called for a united stance against terrorism, emphasizing that "there can be no place for double standards," according to The Hindu.

Iran used the summit to back a joint refinery project in Kyrgyzstan and offered crude oil supply. The SCO also issued statements condemning attacks and sanctions on Iran, though the group stopped short of directly naming the US or Israel, according to TheWire.in and Tehran Times.

The 2026 SCO summit concluded with India reaffirming its commitment to regional dialogue and cooperation. Modi's calls for peace in Ukraine and his interactions with both Russian and Chinese leaders have been widely noted. India also backed efforts to boost economic connectivity in the region, while maintaining its stance on sovereignty and non-interference.

The summit's joint statements condemned attacks on Iran and highlighted the group's opposition to unilateral sanctions, reflecting growing alignment among SCO members on key international issues.

With renewed diplomatic activity, attention will be on whether India and China can build on their brief rapprochement, and if India's calls for peace in Ukraine find traction. The future of energy cooperation projects, like Iran's proposed refinery in Kyrgyzstan, will also be important to monitor as regional alliances shift.