PM Modi attends 26th SCO Summit in Bishkek; Bishkek Declaration adopted
On 1 September 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took part in the 26th SCO Council of Heads of State meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, which adopted the Bishkek Declaration in the SCO's 25th anniversary year.
Summary
The 26th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, on 31 August–1 September 2026, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi taking part on 1 September. The summit marked the SCO's 25th anniversary. Narendra Modi called for concrete outcomes on India's three pillars of Security, Connectivity and Opportunity, no double standards in the fight against terrorism, and connectivity that respects sovereignty and territorial integrity. Besides the Bishkek Declaration, four MoUs and over twenty decisions and statements were adopted. India-backed initiatives in the Declaration include English as an official language in the SCO Charter, a Civilisation Dialogue Forum, a Young Scientist Forum and a Young Author's Conclave; India will host the first SCO Civilisation Dialogue Forum later in 2026.
Key facts
- Summit
- 26th SCO Council of Heads of State, Bishkek, 31 Aug–1 Sep 2026
- Host
- Kyrgyz Republic (President Sadyr Zhaparov)
- Milestone
- SCO's 25th anniversary
- Outcomes
- Bishkek Declaration, 4 MoUs, 20+ decisions/statements
- India-led
- English in SCO Charter as official language; Civilisation Dialogue Forum; Young Scientist Forum; Young Author's Conclave
- India's pillars
- Security, Connectivity, Opportunity
Practice MCQs 4 questions
Where was the 26th Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State held in 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Bishkek
The 26th SCO summit was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, on 31 August–1 September 2026.
The 2026 SCO summit in Bishkek marked which anniversary of the organisation?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 25th
The 2026 summit marked the SCO's 25th anniversary.
Consider the following statements about the Bishkek Declaration of the SCO (2026): 1. It includes the India-supported initiative of English as an official language in the SCO Charter. 2. India will host the first edition of the SCO Civilisation Dialogue Forum. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the PMO release.
At the SCO summit in 2026, PM Modi sought concrete outcomes on India's vision for the SCO built on which three pillars?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Security, Connectivity and Opportunity
India had shared its vision of Security, Connectivity and Opportunity at the previous summit; PM Modi called for concrete outcomes on these pillars.