In China, SCO member states formally adopt India's vision of "One Earth, One Family, One Future"

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Monday formally embraced India’s civilisational message of “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” adopting it in the Tianjin Declaration that set the tone for the grouping’s priorities in the years ahead.

The joint statement, released after the Council of Heads of State meeting, underlined the SCO’s commitment to unity, peace and collective prosperity at a time of heightened global turbulence.

The declaration unveiled “a common vision of the idea of creating a community of shared future for mankind” and encouraged dialogue around India’s G20 slogan, “One Earth. One Family. One Future.”

SCO Member states called on the wider international community to join the SCO’s Initiative “On Global Unity for a Just World, Harmony and Development.” The leaders reaffirmed that cooperation must be based on mutual respect, equality, justice and “mutually beneficial cooperation.”

Also read: Reform, Perform, Transform: PM Modi unveils India's new mantra at SCO

India’s contribution was prominently acknowledged, with the adoption of the concept marking its passage from the G20 Summit in 2023 to the Eurasian grouping’s strategic framework.

The Tianjin Declaration also reaffirmed SCO’s stance on human rights, stressing their “universality, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelatedness.” Member states vowed to respect fundamental freedoms and oppose the application of “double standards” or interference in the internal affairs of other nations under the pretext of rights protection.

Looking ahead, the grouping endorsed the SCO Development Strategy until 2035, defining priorities for deepening cooperation across sectors. The strategy aims at enhancing peace, stability, growth and prosperity in the SCO space, which spans Central, South and East Asia.

Modi’s pitch: Security, connectivity and opportunity
In his address at the plenary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid out India’s approach to SCO through three guiding principles — “Security, Connectivity and Opportunity.”

He linked security and stability to the growth trajectory of nations, flagged India’s connectivity projects for Afghanistan and Central Asia, and proposed a Civilisational Dialogue Forum to showcase the cultural wealth of SCO member states.

“The SCO can be a guide for multilateralism and an inclusive world order,” he said, stressing the need for decisive action against terrorism.

Modi welcomed ongoing reforms within the bloc, including new centres focused on combating organised crime, drug trafficking and cyber threats.

Modi-Putin bilateral talks: PM Modi speaks of strong energy ties and co-operation with Russia to end Ukraine war

India’s SCO journey
This year’s summit in Tianjin brought together the organisation’s 10 full members: India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus, along with observers and dialogue partners.

India joined SCO as a full member in 2017, after serving as an observer since 2005. It has held the chair of the SCO Council of Heads of Government (2020) and the Council of Heads of State (2022–2023).

During its presidency, New Delhi promoted a ‘Secure SCO’ agenda built around Security, Economic Development, Connectivity, Unity, Respect for sovereignty and Environmental protection.

India also opened new verticals of cooperation - Startups and Innovation, Traditional Medicine, Science and Technology, Youth Empowerment and Shared Buddhist Heritage. These initiatives are aimed at giving a fresh dynamism to SCO’s agenda, broadening its mandate beyond security to encompass growth and cultural exchange.

(With inputs from ANI)