The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
A Eurasian security and economic bloc led by China and Russia, in which India is a full member.
What the paper can ask
- Founded 15 June 2001 in Shanghai by six states; ten members today after Belarus joined in 2024. (as of 23 Oct 2026)
- The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure's executive committee is in Tashkent; official languages Russian and Chinese.
- Two councils meet yearly: Heads of State (the summit) and Heads of Government.
Latest
The 2026 summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (1 September 2026) marked the SCO's 25th anniversary and adopted the Bishkek Declaration; the 25th Council of Heads of Government met in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on 19-20 October 2026, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh representing India.
Why exams ask
Setters ask the Secretariat city, India's joining year, the founding members and the latest summit city.
The full story
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was founded on 15 June 2001 in Shanghai by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. It focuses on security (its Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure sits in Tashkent), trade and connectivity. India and Pakistan joined later as full members, then Iran (2023) and Belarus (2024), making ten member states.
Test yourself
1.In which year did India become a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation?
Correct. India and Pakistan were granted full SCO membership on 9 June 2017 at the Astana summit, after the 2015 Ufa decision to admit them.
Not quite. India and Pakistan were granted full SCO membership on 9 June 2017 at the Astana summit, after the 2015 Ufa decision to admit them. It goes into your error book.