India Takes SECURE Vision to Astana as Jaishankar Leads Delegation at SCO Summit

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar’s visit to Astana for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit placed India’s regional diplomacy at the centre of a major Eurasian platform. Representing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dr. Jaishankar led the Indian delegation at a time when the SCO continues to serve as an important forum for dialogue on security, connectivity, economic cooperation and regional stability.

The summit in Kazakhstan brought together leaders and representatives from member states to review the organisation’s journey over the past two decades and discuss the future direction of multilateral cooperation. For India, the meeting carried strategic value because the SCO brings together countries that sit across a vast geographical arc stretching from South Asia to Central Asia, Russia, China and beyond. This makes the platform important for India’s engagement with Eurasia, Central Asia and the wider continental neighbourhood.

Dr. Jaishankar’s arrival in Astana was followed by a meeting with Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu. The discussion reflected the growing warmth in India-Kazakhstan relations and the expanding scope of India’s engagement with Central Asia. Both sides discussed their strategic partnership, regional developments and global issues, underlining the importance of regular diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Astana.

Kazakhstan holds a special place in India’s Central Asia outreach. It is a major regional power, a resource-rich country and a key participant in Eurasian connectivity networks. India’s relationship with Kazakhstan has grown through cooperation in energy, trade, defence, education, culture and multilateral forums. The Astana meeting gave both sides an opportunity to further strengthen this partnership within the broader framework of the SCO Summit.

India’s approach to the SCO is shaped by Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a “SECURE” SCO. The idea brings together six priorities: Security, Economic cooperation, Connectivity, Unity, Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and Environmental protection. This framework reflects India’s belief that regional cooperation must combine development with stability, and connectivity with respect for national sovereignty.

Security remains one of the central pillars of India’s SCO engagement. The Eurasian region faces challenges linked to terrorism, radicalisation, narcotics trafficking, organised crime and instability spilling across borders. India has consistently emphasised the need for collective action against terrorism and has used multilateral platforms to argue for clear, firm and practical cooperation against cross-border threats. At the SCO, this message carries special importance because several member states face their own security concerns in the broader region.

Connectivity is another major theme in India’s SCO diplomacy. For India, connectivity must create trust, support trade and respect territorial integrity. This principle is important because transport corridors, energy routes and trade networks can reshape regional economics. India’s position places emphasis on transparent, inclusive and sovereignty-respecting connectivity that benefits all participating countries.

Economic cooperation also forms a key part of India’s agenda. The SCO region contains major energy producers, large markets, important transport routes and emerging technology ecosystems. India’s growing economy can benefit from deeper trade, investment, digital cooperation, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, education and services partnerships with SCO members. At the same time, Indian businesses can find new opportunities in Central Asian markets, especially in areas such as healthcare, information technology, infrastructure, renewable energy and capacity building.

India’s engagement with Central Asia has gained momentum through multiple formats. The region is important for India’s long-term strategic vision because it connects historical ties, energy interests, continental trade ambitions and regional security concerns. The SCO provides one more channel for India to remain closely engaged with Central Asian capitals and to contribute to discussions that shape Eurasian cooperation.

The summit also gave member states an opportunity to discuss international issues at a time of shifting global alignments. Conflicts, supply chain disruptions, energy uncertainty and emerging technology competition have made regional forums more important. For India, platforms like the SCO create space to present an independent diplomatic voice, build practical partnerships and maintain dialogue with countries that have different strategic priorities.

India’s participation also reflects continuity. In 2023, India hosted the SCO Council of Heads of State Summit in virtual format during its first-ever presidency of the organisation. That presidency allowed India to highlight its own priorities and bring greater visibility to issues such as innovation, traditional medicine, startups, youth engagement, digital inclusion and civilisational connections. The Astana summit carried that engagement forward.

Dr. Jaishankar’s leadership of the Indian delegation also showed India’s balanced approach to multilateral diplomacy. India continues to engage actively across different groupings, including the G20, BRICS, Quad, ASEAN-led mechanisms and the SCO. Each platform serves a different strategic purpose. The SCO gives India a continental forum where security, Central Asia, Eurasian connectivity and regional stability can be discussed in a structured setting.

The Astana summit therefore represented more than a routine diplomatic event. It was part of India’s larger effort to strengthen its voice in Eurasia, deepen Central Asian ties and push a practical agenda based on security, economic growth, connectivity, sovereignty and environmental responsibility. Through the SECURE framework, India has placed its priorities in clear terms and has given its SCO engagement a defined strategic language.

As the SCO continues to evolve, India’s role will remain important. New Delhi brings democratic weight, economic scale, technological capability and a strong civilisational connection with Asia. Its participation adds balance to the organisation and gives India another platform to shape discussions on the future of regional cooperation. Dr. Jaishankar’s visit to Astana reaffirmed that India sees the SCO as a useful forum for dialogue, partnership and strategic engagement across the Eurasian region.

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Referfence: News on Air

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