The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation adopted the Bishkek Declaration at its 26th Council of Heads of State summit, condemning military strikes on Iran, backing a comprehensive Palestinian settlement, and warning against coercive economic measures. Concluding a gathering in Kyrgyzstan between August 31 and September 1, leaders including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed their commitment to a multipolar world order while marking the 10-member bloc’s 25th anniversary.
Defending Iranian Sovereignty Amid Middle East Turmoil
At the center of the declaration lay a sharp rebuke of foreign military interventions in the Middle East. SCO member states expressed deep concern over ongoing developments surrounding Iran, explicitly condemning military strikes on Iranian territory that resulted in civilian casualties and severe economic damage.
The summit also recorded deep condolences for the tragic death of Supreme Leader Seyyed Ali Khamenei. Beyond diplomatic sympathy, the bloc threw its weight behind Tehran’s legal rights under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty of July 1, 1968. Leaders emphasized that countries possess an inalienable right to peaceful atomic research and production, noting that restrictive economic measures in this domain remain fundamentally contrary to international law.
Charting a Multipolar Path and Rejecting Unilateral Sanctions
Coercive economic measures emerged as another major flashpoint during the discussions in Bishkek. The Council of Heads of State (CHS), which rotates annually among member states including Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Iran, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and the Kyrgyz Republic, pushed back hard against unilateral economic pressure. The bloc pledged continued alignment under its overarching Development Strategy running through 2035.
Alongside economic independence, the leaders addressed the rising digital frontier, issuing a stern warning against the militarization of Information and Communication Technologies.
Navigating West Asian Peace and Afghan Stability
On the broader geopolitical front, the SCO maintained that achieving a comprehensive and just settlement of the Palestinian question remains the singular pathway toward sustainable peace in West Asia.
Member states reaffirmed their dedication to seeing Afghanistan emerge as an independent, neutral, and peaceful state entirely free from terrorism, war, and illicit drug trafficking. The declaration stressed that lasting peace requires an inclusive government featuring broad participation from all ethno-political groups across Afghan society—a notable position given the summit’s decision to convene in Bishkek without Taliban representation, as reported by Al Jazeera.
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