CONTEXT

The Tianjin Declaration was adopted at the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit held in Tianjin, China, from August 31 to September 1, 2025. The summit, hosted by China, was the largest in SCO history, attended by leaders of the 10 member states including China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Belaru and by the representatives from international organizations.

The summit was held at the Tianjin Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Center, the summit marked China’s fifth time hosting the SCO and was preceded by preparatory meetings, including the Council of Foreign Ministers on July 15, 2025.

The declaration addresses key regional and international issues, focusing on security, economic cooperation, and global stability, with a strong emphasis on combating terrorism. 

Key Points of the Tianjin Declaration

1. Condemnation of Terrorism: The declaration strongly condemned terrorism in all forms, specifically addressing:

• The April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir, India, which claimed 26 lives. Member states expressed condolences and demanded that perpetrators, organizers, and sponsors be brought to justice.
• Terrorist attacks in Pakistan, including the Jaffer Express bombing (March 11, 2025) and the Khuzdar attack (May 21, 2025).
• It reaffirmed the SCO’s commitment to fighting terrorism, separatism, and extremism (the “three evils”) and opposed using such groups for “mercenary purposes.”
• Emphasized no double standards in countering terrorism and called for halting cross-border movement of terrorists.
• India’s push for stronger wording on cross-border terrorism was a key focus, reflecting its concerns about state-backed terrorism, particularly from Pakistan, though the declaration avoided naming Pakistan directly.

2. Global Stability and Non-Interference

• The declaration highlighted a “contradictory process of globalization” and advocated for multilateral cooperation based on mutual respect, non-intervention in sovereign affairs, and democratization of international relations. I
• t condemned unilateral coercive measures (e.g., economic sanctions, U.S. tariffs) that violate UN Charter principles and World Trade Organisation rules, aligning with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s criticism of a “cold war mentality” and “bullying behavior.”
• The Summit expressed concerns about geopolitical confrontation and security threats escalating globally, including in the SCO region.

3. Regional Issues

• Afghanistan: Noted the need for an inclusive government with representation from all ethno-political groups to achieve lasting peace. Afghanistan, an SCO observer, did not attend the summit.
• Gaza and Iran: Condemned actions causing civilian casualties in Gaza and military strikes by Israel and the U.S. against Iran in June 2025, reflecting the SCO’s stance on regional conflicts (though India did not sign a prior SCO statement on this issue).

4. Economic and Development Goals

• Adopted the SCO Development Strategy until 2035, outlining priorities for peace, stability, and prosperity through multifaceted cooperation.
• Supported the establishment of an SCO Development Bank to enhance financial cooperation, as proposed by China.
• All member states except India reaffirmed support for China’s Belt and Road Initiative. China pledged 2 billion yuan in grants and 10 billion yuan in loans to SCO member banks over three years.
• Advocated for cross-border industrial corridors with robust infrastructure (transport, power, water, digital connectivity) to integrate rural and underdeveloped areas, aligning with broader economic goals.

India’s Vision

1. Echoed India’s G20 presidency theme of “One Earth, One Family, One Future”, promoting mutual respect, justice, and equality in international relations.
2. Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized three pillars for SCO cooperation: Security, Connectivity, and Opportunity, urging zero tolerance for terrorism and proposing a Civilizational Dialogue Forum to highlight SCO’s cultural heritage.
3. PM Modi highlighted the Pahalgam attack as a challenge to humanity, calling for unified action against terrorism without double standards.

Other outcomes

1. The summit also led to the establishment of a center for countering security challenges and threats in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and an SCO anti-drug center in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
2. It also approved Laos as an SCO dialogue partner.
3. The summit noted the absence of any mention of the Ukraine crisis, consistent with the 2024 Astana Declaration, reflecting the SCO’s focus on regional priorities.
4. It recognized the SCO Study Centre at India’s Council for World Affairs for fostering cultural and humanitarian exchanges.