Small SCO Nations Gain Leverage in Bishkek Summit

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) recently concluded its twenty-fifth anniversary summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, an event that drew attention less from its grand declarations than from the subtle shifts in power dynamics among its members. According to The Diplomat, the gathering of ten states, including China, India, and Russia, offered a complex picture of a bloc that is vast in size but fragmented in strategic alignment. While the anniversary motto spoke of sustainable peace and prosperity, the reality on the ground was defined by the persistent friction between the organization’s largest powers.

Observers noted that the summit did not produce the unified front often expected from such a large geopolitical entity. Instead, it revealed a functional divergence where the smaller member states, including the four Central Asian republics, are finding ways to extract value from the forum without becoming subordinate to any single major power. This dynamic suggests that the SCO’s utility may lie not in enforcing a common strategy among rivals, but in serving as a platform where smaller nations can advance specific national interests under the umbrella of multilateral cooperation.

Diplomatic Friction Between Major Powers

The internal dynamics of the SCO are increasingly defined by the inability of its principal members to align on core geopolitical issues. The absence of a formal bilateral meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked a notable shift from previous summits, reflecting the ongoing tensions in their relationship. Furthermore, Modi’s direct appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine added a layer of diplomatic complexity, occurring shortly after reports emerged that China had urged Russia to refrain from using nuclear weapons in the conflict.

These interactions highlight a structural limitation of the organization: it lacks the institutional mechanisms necessary to impose coherent policy on its members. Unlike military alliances with strict adherence protocols, the SCO operates in an environment where its largest powers lack sufficient leverage over one another to establish a common strategic direction. This results in a forum where discord is often the headline, yet the underlying structure continues to function as a space for diplomatic engagement rather than a tool for unified action.

Smaller States Driving Institutional Change

Despite the stalemate among major powers, the summit produced credible proposals for institutional development that originated from smaller member states. China proposed the establishment of AI hubs, while Uzbekistan advocated for a new industrial cooperation mechanism. Kyrgyzstan, as the host, pushed for its Tamchy Special Financial Investment Territory to become a venue for joint projects and argued for Bishkek to host the headquarters of a joint development bank. These initiatives demonstrate that practical progress within the SCO is often driven by the specific economic and security needs of smaller nations rather than the grand strategic visions of its giants.

This pattern has created an unusual dynamic where the organization serves as an exhibition hall for projects that individual governments wish to pursue, rather than a centralized planner of multilateral initiatives. The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure in Tashkent remains a key permanent institution, but new mechanisms for economic and security cooperation are being debated and shaped by those who stand to benefit most from their creation. This approach allows smaller states to use the SCO’s platform to elevate their own diplomatic and economic priorities on the global stage.

Host Nations Shaping Agenda Priorities

The role of the host nation in shaping the summit’s outcomes has become increasingly significant. Following the 2017 meeting in Astana, where the summit coincided with a major international expo, Kyrgyzstan continued this tradition in Bishkek. As the outgoing chair, Kyrgyzstan had a clear incentive to use the gathering to advance its national interests, with the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway receiving prominent attention. This flagship Belt and Road Initiative corridor underscores how SCO summits function as platforms for host countries to promote their broader international ambitions and secure support for critical infrastructure projects.

Looking ahead, the SCO’s trajectory will likely continue to be defined by this interplay between major power discord and smaller state initiative. The organization is unlikely to evolve into a mirror of Western-style alliances, but its value as a forum for targeted cooperation remains substantial. The next steps will depend on whether the proposed institutional mechanisms, such as the joint development bank, can gain enough traction to move beyond the proposal stage and into tangible implementation, driven by the persistent efforts of the organization’s smaller members.