India attends SCO border talks in Islamabad before Pakistan takes over chairmanship in September

India took part in the 12th meeting of the Heads of Border Services of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), held in Islamabad on Friday under Pakistan's chairmanship, as member states reviewed regional border security cooperation, approved the outcome of the previous joint operation and endorsed plans for the next exercise.

According to a statement issued by Pakistan's Foreign Ministry, the meeting brought together the heads and representatives of the border services of the competent authorities of the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of India, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the People's Republic of China, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan, the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Executive Committee of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS).

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The representatives approved the results of the Joint Border Operation "Solidarity-2025", carried out by the border forces of the SCO member states, and also agreed to the plan for this year's Joint Border Operation "Solidarity-2026".

"The participants noted that the exchange of views and development of common positions on countering new challenges and threats along the borders of the SCO Member States would contribute to further strengthening cooperation among their border services, while enhancing security and mutual trust along their shared borders," the Pakistani statement added.

Pakistan to assume SCO chairmanship

Islamabad is the incoming chair of the 10-member organisation, which includes India, China, Russia, Iran, Belarus and the Central Asian states, excluding Turkmenistan.

Pakistan will assume the SCO chairmanship from September 1 until August 31, 2027, during which it will host the Heads of States summit.

India continues participation in SCO activities

India chaired the SCO in 2023. Although relations between India and Pakistan remain limited, New Delhi has continued to participate in all meetings related to the organisation.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended the SCO Heads of Government meeting in Pakistan in October 2024.

Counter-terrorism cooperation remains one of the SCO's key priorities, with the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) serving as one of the organisation's two principal bodies.

India and Pakistan both became members of the SCO in 2017.

The next Heads of States summit will take place in Bishkek, the capital of the Kyrgyz Republic, next month. Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled to the Chinese city of Tianjin to attend the SCO summit, where he also held a bilateral meeting with President Xi Jinping on the sidelines.

SCO expansion and future initiatives

The SCO was established in 2001 following the resolution of border disputes between China and its Central Asian neighbours. The organisation is headquartered in Beijing, while the RATS is based in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan.

India and Pakistan formally joined the organisation at the 2017 Astana summit. The SCO later expanded to include Iran in 2023 and Belarus in 2024.

At the 2025 Tianjin summit, member states agreed to establish a universal centre to counter security challenges and threats, along with an anti-drug centre.