The 25th Meeting of Ministers responsible for foreign economic and trade activities of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States concluded in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. During the meeting, member countries discussed measures to further strengthen regional trade and economic cooperation.
Representing India, Shri Yashvir Singh highlighted the SCO’s economic potential and called for greater intra-SCO trade, lower trade costs, resilient supply chains and stronger connectivity. India also stressed the importance of the three pillars of Security, Connectivity and Opportunity, particularly in strengthening regional economic cooperation.
India stressed the need for trade facilitation and digitalisation to cut trade costs and time, calling for simpler customs procedures, paperless trade, electronic document exchange and improved multimodal connectivity.
Additionally, India called for robust cooperation in strategic sectors such as agriculture, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and electronics, as well as increased collaboration in the areas of energy security, renewable energy, and green hydrogen.
Highlighting opportunities for MSMEs and start-ups, India underscored the importance of digital and cross-border payments and accessible trade finance. At the same time, India reiterated its support for greater participation in global value chains and for an open, inclusive, and rules-based multilateral trading system led by the WTO.
The ministers adopted a joint statement and agreed on the 2026–2030 action plan for implementing the SCO’s multilateral trade and economic cooperation program, subject to further approval by the Council of Heads of Government. They also approved the rules for a special SCO working group dedicated to developing the creative economy. The next ministerial meeting is scheduled to be held in Uzbekistan in 2027.
