In Bishkek, a lesson from Nalanda, Pg13

Key Highlights:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from August 31 to September 1, 2026.
• The summit occurred amidst global geopolitical shifts, including the war in Ukraine and the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.
• India engaged in bilateral discussions with leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, covering defense, energy, economic cooperation, and regional conflicts.
• India emphasized diplomacy, protection of civilians, and freedom of navigation and commerce in West Asia.
• The summit marked the SCO's 25th anniversary and focused on security, regional cooperation, and trade.

Detailed Insights:

• The SCO is a Eurasian political, economic, and security organization, which by 2026 had ten member states, including India, Pakistan, Iran, and Belarus.
• India's participation reflects its policy of strategic autonomy, allowing engagement with multiple global powers without external influence.
• Iran is crucial for India's connectivity projects like Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), providing access to Central Asia by bypassing Pakistan.
• The Chabahar Port is a strategic gateway for India to access landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asian countries, enhancing trade and geopolitical influence.
• The INSTC is a 7,200 km multi-modal network of ship, rail, and road routes aimed at boosting trade between India, Iran, Russia, and Central Asia.
• India is promoting the "Nalanda Approach" to reconnect with Central Asia through university partnerships, joint research, and cultural exchanges.
• Ancient Nalanda University was a renowned knowledge ecosystem that fostered intellectual dialogue across Asia for centuries.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO): A Eurasian political, economic, and security organization established in 2001 to foster cooperation among member states.
• Strategic Autonomy: India's foreign policy principle to independently pursue national interests and engage with various global actors without external pressures.
• Chabahar Port: A strategic port in southeastern Iran developed by India to provide an alternative trade route to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan.
• International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC): A 7,200 km multi-modal network connecting India, Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, and Central Asia, aimed at reducing transit time and costs.
• Nalanda University: An ancient Indian center of learning in Bihar, founded in the 5th century CE, known for its vast knowledge ecosystem and attracting scholars from across Asia.