India on Friday, 25 July 2025, reaffirmed its backing for Kyrgyzstan's Chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and restated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's framework of Security, Connectivity and Opportunity as the guiding compass for regional stability, sustainable growth, and deeper cooperation among SCO member states. The position was conveyed at the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan.

India's Representation and Key Message

Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh led India's delegation at the ministerial gathering. Following the meeting, Singh announced that India had invited all SCO member states to participate in the 1st SCO Civilizational Dialogue Forum, which India plans to host later this year. 'Also invited all SCO Member States to participate actively in the 1st SCO Civilizational Dialogue Forum, to be hosted by India later this year, as a platform to deepen mutual understanding and strengthen people-to-people ties across the SCO region,' Singh stated after the meeting.

The forum is being positioned as a platform to foster mutual understanding and people-to-people connectivity across the SCO region — an area where India has been pushing for greater cultural and civilisational engagement alongside security and trade.

Bilateral Meetings on the Sidelines

On the margins of the ministerial summit, Singh held a series of bilateral engagements. On Thursday, he met Belarus Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov, during which both sides reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on regional and global issues. 'Reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthening the India–Belarus partnership,' Singh noted after the meeting.

Singh also met Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Zheenbek Kulubaev, with discussions centred on deepening cooperation across key sectors and advancing the India–Kyrgyz Republic Strategic Partnership. 'Reviewed the progress in our bilateral partnership and discussed avenues to further strengthen cooperation across key sectors,' Singh said, reaffirming the shared commitment between the two nations.

Kyrgyzstan's SCO Chairmanship and 2025 Theme

Kyrgyzstan holds the SCO chairmanship for 2025–2026. President Sadyr Japarov has designated the theme of Kyrgyzstan's presidency as '25 Years of the SCO: Together Towards Sustainable Peace, Development, and Prosperity' — marking a quarter-century of the grouping's existence. India's participation underscores its continued engagement with the bloc at a time when the SCO's geopolitical significance is growing amid shifting global alignments.

Context and Strategic Significance

This comes amid heightened diplomatic activity within the SCO, a grouping that now includes major Eurasian powers alongside South Asian nations. India's emphasis on the Security, Connectivity and Opportunity triad reflects New Delhi's effort to shape the SCO's agenda beyond its traditional security-centric focus. Notably, the civilisational dialogue forum signals India's intent to leverage its soft power within the bloc, distinguishing its approach from other member states. Singh had arrived in Bishkek on Wednesday, stating he looked forward to 'productive deliberations' on issues of regional and global significance.