Srinagar, September 2025 – The decision by the United States to impose a 50% tariff on Indian exports from August 27 has sent shockwaves through Kashmir’s fragile handicrafts sector, an industry that sustains the livelihood of over 400,000 artisans.

Exporters say the new trade measures have made it nearly impossible to send Kashmiri products to the American market, leaving warehouses piled high with unsold goods and forcing cutbacks in employment. Families that depend entirely on this centuries-old craft are now staring at an uncertain future.

Among the hardest hit are pashmina shawls, woollen blankets, embroidered furniture covers, and silk carpets – traditional products that are shipped annually to the US for the autumn and winter sales season. Traders note that the timing of the tariff has multiplied losses: with the festive and winter markets approaching, consignments have stalled and an entire sales cycle has collapsed.

For decades, the US has been a leading buyer of Kashmiri handicrafts. In the financial year 2023–24, America accounted for nearly 30% of Jammu & Kashmir’s total handicraft exports, valued at ₹1,116 crore. For many exporters, US orders formed the backbone of their annual revenue. With those orders frozen, the sector is scrambling to find alternative markets – but global demand for high-value handmade items like silk carpets and embroidered shawls remains limited.

This crisis comes at a time when the industry is still recovering from the aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic. Traders who recently attended exhibitions in Delhi said American buyers have completely withdrawn, leaving unsold stock to pile up.

Artisans from Srinagar to smaller craft hubs report a sharp decline in new orders. Carpet weavers, papier-mâché artists, and crewel embroidery workers are among the worst affected, with many workshops operating at less than half their usual capacity.

Facing mounting distress, industry associations are calling for immediate support measures: interest subsidies, GST reductions, and a special financial relief package to cushion the blow. Exporters warn that if swift action is not taken, the crisis could result in permanent damage – not only to livelihoods but also to the preservation of Kashmir’s unique handicraft heritage, which has endured for centuries despite adversity.

With the festive season in Western markets drawing near, the outlook remains grim. Traders fear that without urgent intervention or access to new international markets, the losses could cripple the sector for years to come.

Reasi/Mahore, September 2025 – Continuous torrential and stormy rains over the past several days have wreaked havoc across Jammu and Kashmir, leaving behind a trail of destruction in multiple districts. Among the worst-affected regions is the Mahore sub-division of Reasi, where the fury of adverse weather conditions has devastated villages, destroyed homes, displaced families, and claimed lives.

Residents describe the disaster as one that turned lives upside down within minutes — homes built over generations were reduced to rubble, families found themselves under the open sky, and livelihoods disappeared in the blink of an eye.

According to local sources, the worst-hit areas include Bagga Jamsalan and its adjoining localities, around 22 kilometers from Mahore town. Reports confirm that more than 35 residential houses have been severely damaged, while vast tracts of agricultural land have been destroyed. The Morha Chachi area of Jamsalan, already known for past land sinking incidents, has once again collapsed under heavy rains. A similar tragedy years ago had forced dozens of families to abandon their homes when the ground caved in. Despite repeated surveys and visits by officials and expert teams, locals say no substantial rehabilitation measures were ever undertaken.

Today, as history repeats itself, residents accuse authorities of negligence, saying that had adequate relocation and resettlement plans been implemented earlier, hundreds of families would not have been forced into another cycle of displacement. “We are living in fear and despair because the land here is no longer habitable. Every new rainfall threatens our existence,” a local villager told The Azadi Times.

The situation has also affected key infrastructure. A portion of the Mahore–Gool–Ramban highway has been damaged due to land subsidence, disrupting transport and cutting off essential supplies.

Destruction in Saardh Village

The tragedy is not confined to Jamsalan alone. In Saardh village, situated about 7 kilometers from Mahore, thousands of kanals of land have sunk, displacing dozens of families and leaving them under makeshift shelters. Many are reported to be living under the open sky with little access to food, water, or medical aid.

A nearly 400-meter stretch of the Mahore–Chasana–Gulabgarh–Rajouri road has also been washed away, and officials admit that restoring the link may take weeks.

Relief and Official Response

Local administration claims to be on the ground, reaching out to victims with immediate relief. Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Mahore, Shafqat Majeed Butt, accompanied by Tehsildar Mahore, Javed Iqbal, visited the affected villages to assess the situation. Following local complaints of inadequate aid, the SDM announced the appointment of nodal officers for relief operations — B.D. Mahesh Chander in Bagga Jamsalan and T.S.O. Amit Mangotra in Saardh.

Meanwhile, Engineer Khurshid, MLA Gulabgarh, also toured the devastated areas and met survivors. However, many affected families dismissed these visits as “symbolic” and accused both officials and political leaders of making promises without ensuring long-term rehabilitation.

According to SDM Mahore, as many as 323 houses have collapsed across the sub-division. At least 88 families have been shifted to safer locations, while others have taken temporary refuge with relatives or in nearby villages.

Despite these efforts, survivors remain unconvinced, pointing to past disasters where official assurances of resettlement never materialized. “We are tired of visits and empty words. What we need is secure housing and permanent rehabilitation, not temporary tents and promises,” said another displaced villager.

Kashmir, the valley known as Paradise on Earth, has always been more than a picturesque landscape of mountains and rivers. It is a cultural crossroads, a place where civilizations met and identities evolved. One of the most transformative shifts in Kashmiri history came in the 14th century, when Islam began to take root in the valley.

But who brought Islam to Kashmir? The question continues to spark debates — some argue that traders and Sufi saints introduced the faith through peace and spirituality, while others emphasize the role of political rulers and dynasties. What is clear, however, is that Islam’s arrival in Kashmir was unlike its spread in many other regions of the world: it was largely shaped by mysticism, tolerance, and cultural synthesis.

Today, when Kashmir’s identity is contested in political and religious narratives, revisiting the story of Islam’s origins in the valley helps us understand not only its past but also its present struggles.

Before Islam: Kashmir’s Religious Landscape

For centuries before the arrival of Islam, Kashmir stood as a vibrant crossroads of culture, faith, and philosophy. The valley’s earliest history is rooted in Hindu traditions, with texts like the Rajatarangini — the 12th-century chronicle penned by Kalhana — recording dynasties that built temples, patronized Sanskrit learning, and upheld Vedic rituals. Many ancient shrines, some still standing today, testify to this long Hindu heritage.

Equally significant was the Buddhist presence. Under Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE, Buddhism found fertile ground in Kashmir. Monasteries were established, stupas were raised, and the region became an intellectual hub for Buddhist scholars. Later, during the Kushan period, Kashmir maintained close ties with Central Asia, further strengthening its role in shaping Buddhist thought. Monks and pilgrims traveling along the Silk Road often paused in the valley, carrying with them Kashmir’s ideas to lands as far as Tibet and China.

By the 12th century, Kashmir had earned renown as a seat of Shaivism — particularly the esoteric philosophy of Kashmir Shaivism, which blended metaphysical depth with spiritual practice. Alongside this, Hindu temples and Buddhist monasteries coexisted, making the valley a living museum of South Asian spirituality.

Yet this rich spiritual tapestry also bore the weight of rigid social structures. The caste system was deeply entrenched, with social and economic hierarchies limiting mobility for large segments of the population. Many communities — artisans, peasants, and marginalized groups — found themselves excluded from the privileges of temple-centered life. This inequality created a yearning for more accessible and compassionate forms of spirituality.

It was into this environment that Islam entered Kashmir — not through the sword or conquest, but through the gentle persuasion of Sufi saints, traders, and travelers. Their message of equality, simplicity, and devotion resonated with ordinary Kashmiris, offering an alternative to rigid hierarchies and opening the door to a profound cultural transformation.

The Early Footsteps of Islam in Kashmir

The earliest traces of Islam in Kashmir appeared through the great arteries of trade and travel that connected Central Asia, Persia, and South Asia. Caravans moving along the Silk Road carried not only silk, spices, and gemstones but also languages, ideas, and spiritual traditions. By the 13th century, merchants, travelers, and mystics had begun sowing the seeds of Islamic thought in the valley, introducing a faith that promised equality and simplicity in contrast to the rigid social hierarchies of the time.

Among these early torchbearers was Syed Sharfuddin Abdul Rehman, better known as Bulbul Shah, a Sufi mystic from Turkistan. His arrival marked a decisive turning point in Kashmir’s spiritual history. Unlike political envoys or conquerors, Bulbul Shah carried no armies — only the power of his teachings. His message was deeply spiritual, centered on compassion, humility, and universal brotherhood. This resonated with the common people of Kashmir, many of whom felt suffocated under caste-based restrictions and inequalities.

Bulbul Shah’s influence reached the highest levels of Kashmiri society. Historical chronicles recount that Rinchan, a Buddhist prince from Ladakh who rose to power in Kashmir, was profoundly moved by Bulbul Shah’s message. Seeking a faith that aligned with his vision of justice and inclusivity, Rinchan embraced Islam under Bulbul Shah’s guidance and took the name Sultan Sadruddin. This royal conversion in the 14th century was more than symbolic — it laid the political and cultural foundation for Islam’s gradual acceptance across the valley.

Sultan Sadruddin’s embrace of Islam did not trigger forced conversions but rather encouraged voluntary adoption, as people found in Islam’s teachings an accessible path to spirituality. With Bulbul Shah’s influence, Islam began to take root not as an imposed faith but as a moral and spiritual alternative that welcomed all, regardless of birth or social standing.

The Legacy of Shah-i-Hamadan

If Bulbul Shah was the first spark, then Mir Syed Ali Hamadani (1314–1384) — revered as Shah-i-Hamadan — was the guiding flame who gave Islam its lasting foundation in Kashmir. A towering Sufi scholar and missionary from Hamadan in present-day Iran, Shah-i-Hamadan arrived in Kashmir during the mid-14th century, accompanied by hundreds of disciples, artisans, and scholars. His presence marked a new chapter in the valley’s religious, cultural, and economic transformation.

Shah-i-Hamadan’s mission was not confined to spiritual preaching. He envisioned a holistic society where faith, culture, and livelihood were interwoven. He introduced Islamic practices of governance, encouraged the construction of mosques and khanqahs (Sufi lodges), and promoted education. Yet perhaps his most enduring contribution was cultural: he brought with him highly skilled artisans from Persia and Central Asia, who laid the foundations of Kashmir’s world-renowned arts and crafts.

Carpet weaving, papier-mâché, wood carving, calligraphy, and shawl-making — all hallmarks of Kashmiri identity today — trace their origins to Shah-i-Hamadan’s efforts. By merging spiritual devotion with economic empowerment, he ensured that Islam in Kashmir was not just a matter of personal faith but a civilizational force shaping the valley’s identity.

Unlike conquerors who spread faith through power, Shah-i-Hamadan relied on persuasion through knowledge, compassion, and example. His writings, most notably Zakhirat-ul-Muluk (Treasure for Kings), blended spiritual guidance with practical advice on governance, emphasizing justice, humility, and welfare of the people. This synthesis of faith and pragmatism resonated deeply in a land yearning for both spiritual nourishment and social justice.

Over time, Shah-i-Hamadan became more than a saint — he became a cultural architect of Kashmir. Mosques and shrines associated with him remain vital centers of faith, while the crafts he introduced continue to sustain thousands of Kashmiri families centuries later. His legacy ensured that Islam in Kashmir would be firmly rooted in spirituality, culture, and community life.

Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani: The Native Saint

If Shah-i-Hamadan symbolized the Persian influence that brought Islam to Kashmir, then Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani (1377–1440) — affectionately called Nund Rishi — represented the very soul of Kashmiri Islam. Born in Kulgam district, Noorani grew up witnessing the social transformations of a valley in transition. Over time, he became not just a religious figure but the most celebrated native saint of Kashmir.

Sheikh Noorani’s teachings were rooted in simplicity and compassion. He rejected materialism, spoke out against social oppression, and emphasized harmony across communities. Unlike scholarly Persian texts, his verses were written in Kashmiri language, using the everyday idioms of the people. This made his message accessible to farmers, artisans, and common villagers, who found in his poetry both comfort and inspiration.

Through his teachings, Sheikh Noorani championed a spiritual philosophy that blended Islamic Sufism with indigenous Kashmiri traditions. He advocated love for God, service to humanity, and respect for nature. This unique synthesis gave rise to the celebrated idea of Kashmiriyat — a cultural ethos that prized tolerance, coexistence, and unity beyond religious boundaries.

Even today, his shrine at Charar-e-Sharif stands as a beacon of interfaith harmony. Both Muslims and non-Muslims visit the site, paying respect to a saint whose message transcends narrow divisions. For Kashmiris, Noorani remains not only a spiritual guide but also a symbol of their cultural resilience.

From Saints to Sultanates: Islam and Politics

The story of Islam in Kashmir was not confined to shrines and spiritual gatherings. It also found expression in the political sphere. After the decline of Hindu ruler Suhadeva in the early 14th century, Kashmir entered a new era under the Shah Mir dynasty (1339–1561) — the first Muslim dynasty of the valley. Founded by Shah Mir, a noble of Swati origin, the dynasty institutionalized Islam in Kashmir while consolidating political power.

One of the most remarkable rulers of this period was Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin (1420–1470), remembered in Kashmiri history as Budshah — the Great King. Unlike many rulers of his time, Zain-ul-Abidin is celebrated for his policies of religious tolerance and cultural inclusivity. He patronized both Muslim and Hindu scholars, rebuilt temples destroyed during earlier conflicts, and encouraged intellectual and artistic exchange.

Under his reign, Kashmir flourished as a hub of art, architecture, and scholarship. The crafts introduced by Shah-i-Hamadan found royal support, while the spirit of pluralism fostered by saints like Noorani gained official recognition. Thus, Islam’s presence in Kashmir grew through a dual process: saints who touched the hearts of the people, and rulers who provided the political framework to sustain and expand the faith.

Sufism and the Making of Kashmiriyat

What truly distinguished the arrival of Islam in Kashmir from other regions of the subcontinent was its Sufi character. Sufis emphasized love, humility, and devotion rather than rigid legalism. Their khanqahs (spiritual lodges) and shrines became more than places of prayer — they were centers of charity, education, and social life.

For Kashmiris, Sufi saints were not distant scholars but approachable guides. They healed, mediated conflicts, and offered counsel in times of hardship. Over time, these spiritual networks created a shared cultural identity that transcended religious lines.

This identity — Kashmiriyat — became the hallmark of the valley. It celebrated diversity, weaving together the spiritual depth of Islam with the cultural richness of Kashmir’s Hindu and Buddhist past. In poetry, music, and folklore, echoes of this fusion can still be heard. The verses of Noorani, the artistic traditions introduced by Shah-i-Hamadan, and the pluralist governance of rulers like Budshah all combined to create a society where faith and culture flourished side by side.

Kashmir thus became not just a region where Islam arrived, but a place where Islam was reinterpreted through the lens of Kashmiri values, giving birth to a spiritual and cultural renaissance that remains central to the valley’s identity.

Islam in the Global Context

As Islam deepened its roots in Kashmir, the valley became increasingly tied to the wider Muslim world. Persian — the language of poetry, scholarship, and governance — replaced Sanskrit in administration, reflecting Kashmir’s cultural integration into the Islamic civilization of Central Asia and Persia.

Trade routes reinforced this connection. Caravans traveling from Samarkand, Bukhara, and Kabul brought not only goods but also ideas. In turn, Kashmiri artisans and scholars journeyed outward, enriching courts and communities far beyond the Himalayas. Carpet weaving, papier-mâché, and woodcrafts from Kashmir became symbols of refinement across the Islamic world, while Kashmiri poets and theologians added to the spiritual and intellectual traditions of the broader Ummah.

This exchange of knowledge and culture meant that Kashmir was not merely a recipient of Islamic influence — it became a contributor. The valley’s unique blend of Sufi spirituality, local traditions, and artistic innovation entered the bloodstream of global Islam, making Kashmir both a frontier and a bridge between civilizations.

Contemporary Relevance: History and Politics

In today’s contested Kashmir, the story of how Islam arrived is not just a matter of history — it is also a matter of politics and identity. Competing narratives attempt to frame the past in service of present-day agendas.

Indian accounts often present Islam’s spread in Kashmir as a byproduct of foreign conquest and political consolidation, suggesting that it disrupted an existing cultural order. Pakistani narratives, by contrast, emphasize Kashmir’s “natural affinity” with Islam, framing the valley’s conversion as an inevitable expression of its religious and cultural alignment with Pakistan.

Both, however, risk missing the essential truth: Islam did not take root in Kashmir through the sword, but through the teachings of saints, mystics, and spiritual reformers. It was a faith embraced from below, not imposed from above.

For Kashmiris themselves, this history carries a deeper resonance. It is not about conquest or geopolitics but about identity, dignity, and continuity. The legacy of figures like Bulbul Shah, Shah-i-Hamadan, and Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani reminds them of a tradition of Sufism, pluralism, and resistance to oppression. This legacy also intersects with their contemporary struggle for self-determination, where faith, culture, and politics remain tightly woven together.

Islam came to Kashmir not with armies, but with the pen, the prayer, and the poetry of saints. Through the quiet but powerful influence of Sufi mystics, the valley was transformed into a space where faith intertwined with art, culture, and governance.

Figures such as Bulbul Shah, who inspired the first royal conversion; Shah-i-Hamadan, who introduced Persian art and craftsmanship; and Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani, who embodied the Kashmiri soul of Islam, collectively defined the character of the region’s religious and cultural identity. Their legacy is one of spirituality over force, tolerance over sectarianism, and culture over conquest.

This is why Kashmir remains unique in South Asia. Its Islam is inseparable from its ethos of Kashmiriyat — an identity that celebrates coexistence while nurturing a centuries-old yearning for freedom.

To ask who brought Islam to Kashmir is to ask not only about history, but also about the present and future of a people. It is a reminder that the valley’s story is not simply about geopolitics between India and Pakistan, but about a community shaped by saints, artisans, and poets — and their continuing quest to preserve dignity in a contested land.

Tianjin, China – September 2025 – The 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit convened in Tianjin, China, gathering heads of state and government from the organization’s ten member states, including China, Russia, India, Pakistan, and the Central Asian republics. As one of the most anticipated diplomatic events in Eurasia, the summit focused on regional security, economic cooperation, and broader geopolitical stability, while also addressing emerging technological, energy, and security challenges.

The SCO, established in 2001, has evolved from a regional security organization into a multifaceted intergovernmental body addressing political, economic, and security cooperation. The 2025 summit in Tianjin, hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping, marked a significant moment for the bloc, demonstrating China’s growing influence in Eurasian diplomacy and global governance.

Understanding the SCO and Its Significance

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is composed of China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, with Iran joining as a full member in recent years. SCO observer states and dialogue partners, including Afghanistan, Mongolia, and Belarus, regularly attend summits and consultations, highlighting the bloc’s increasing regional and international relevance.

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The organization was originally founded to address mutual security concerns, particularly terrorism, separatism, and extremism, in the wake of post-Cold War instability in Central Asia. Over the years, its agenda expanded to include economic cooperation, trade facilitation, cultural exchanges, and technology partnerships. The SCO summit serves as the highest decision-making forum, where leaders set strategic priorities, launch regional initiatives, and coordinate policies on matters affecting member states.

SCO’s relevance in global geopolitics has grown in recent years, particularly as major powers such as China and Russia seek alternatives to Western-led multilateral forums. The organization’s strategic importance lies in its ability to serve as a platform for dialogue among major Eurasian powers while addressing regional security and economic development.

Attendance and Key Participants

The 2025 Tianjin Summit brought together top leadership from SCO member states.

• China: President Xi Jinping hosted the summit, emphasizing China’s role as a regional power and promoting the vision of a multipolar global order. Xi outlined several strategic initiatives, including technological collaboration and financial support for SCO member nations.

• Russia: President Vladimir Putin attended, signaling Moscow’s continued influence in Eurasian security matters and supporting multilateral cooperation in the region.

• India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi represented New Delhi, focusing on economic cooperation and regional stability. India’s participation underscored its ongoing engagement in SCO frameworks despite bilateral tensions with Pakistan.

• Pakistan: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended, raising the Kashmir issue within the context of self-determination, a point that drew international attention.

Other member states sent senior leadership, ministers, and delegates to participate in sessions on trade, infrastructure development, counterterrorism, and technological collaboration. Observer and dialogue partner nations also contributed, reflecting the summit’s role as a key diplomatic platform for Eurasia and beyond.

Key Strategic Initiatives Announced

One of the summit’s most notable aspects was China’s series of strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing regional cooperation and asserting its influence.

• SCO Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Centre: China announced the establishment of an AI centre to facilitate technological research, shared resources, and collaborative projects among SCO member states. This initiative reflects Beijing’s ambition to leverage AI for regional economic development and governance.

• Financial Support: China pledged $280 million in free aid and $1.4 billion in loans through the SCO banking consortium to member nations, signaling a commitment to fostering economic growth and regional integration.

• Infrastructure and Energy Collaboration: The summit highlighted infrastructure connectivity projects, energy partnerships, and trade facilitation mechanisms designed to strengthen intra-regional commerce and strategic interdependence.

These initiatives emphasize the summit’s focus on economic integration, technological collaboration, and regional stability, making it a critical platform for China’s geopolitical strategy.

Geopolitical Messaging and Global Context

President Xi Jinping used the summit as a platform to communicate broader geopolitical messaging. Emphasizing a multipolar world order, he criticized what he called “bullying countries,” widely interpreted as a subtle reference to U.S. foreign policy. Xi’s statements highlight China’s ongoing efforts to assert global leadership while promoting Eurasian cooperation through the SCO framework.

For Russia, the summit reinforced its continued relevance in regional security and energy politics. Russia’s participation also underscored the bloc’s ability to balance influence among its major members. India’s engagement reflected a careful strategy to remain an active participant despite bilateral challenges, including ongoing tensions with Pakistan.

Kashmir Issue in SCO Context

Although the SCO primarily focuses on regional cooperation and security, the Kashmir issue surfaced during the 2025 summit. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif raised the matter in terms of the region’s right to self-determination, bringing international attention to the decades-old conflict.

This intervention, however, drew criticism from Kashmiri political organizations. By framing the issue as a bilateral matter with India, Pakistan’s approach contradicts longstanding United Nations resolutions advocating for Kashmiri self-determination. The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) described Pakistan’s move as a betrayal of Kashmiri aspirations, warning that it undermines the struggle for freedom. Similarly, the United Kashmir Peoples National Party (UKPNP) called Pakistan’s approach “non-serious” and argued that it diminishes Kashmir’s international profile.

“Pakistan’s attempt to make Kashmir a bilateral issue with India ignores the will of the Kashmiri people and damages the legitimacy of their struggle for self-determination,” said a spokesperson for JAAC.

While Kashmir attracted attention, the summit largely remained focused on broader SCO objectives, including economic development, counterterrorism, and regional stability. Analysts noted that SCO’s lack of a formal dispute-resolution mechanism limits its capacity to mediate conflicts like Kashmir, though the platform enables dialogue and international visibility for the issue.

SCO and Regional Security

Security cooperation remains at the heart of the SCO’s mandate, and the 2025 summit highlighted this focus through multiple initiatives. Member states exchanged intelligence and coordinated efforts to combat extremism and cross-border terrorism, reinforcing a collective approach to regional security. In addition, the summit encouraged joint military exercises and defense collaboration, aiming to enhance preparedness and interoperability among member nations. Recognizing the growing threat of cyberattacks, SCO members also discussed strategies to protect critical infrastructure, safeguard data, and secure technology networks. These measures collectively reflect the organization’s commitment to stability, ensuring that economic initiatives and strategic projects are supported by a robust security framework.

Economic and Trade Dimensions

Economic integration was a central agenda at the summit, with leaders emphasizing the importance of regional connectivity and cooperation. Policies to reduce trade barriers, harmonize regulations, and facilitate commerce were discussed, aiming to strengthen economic ties between member states. Energy partnerships, including initiatives in oil, gas, and renewable energy, were explored to ensure sustainable and secure energy supplies across the region. Infrastructure development was another key priority, with plans for rail networks, transport corridors, and cross-border projects designed to promote intra-regional commerce and development. China’s financial commitments, combined with technological initiatives, underscore the SCO’s evolving role as a platform for economic collaboration that extends well beyond traditional security concerns.

Member States’ Perspectives

Each member state approached the 2025 SCO Summit with its own set of priorities, reflecting the diverse political and economic landscape of the organization. China, as the host nation, sought to consolidate its influence across Eurasia by projecting itself as both a technological innovator and an economic leader. Its proposals for artificial intelligence collaboration, financial assistance, and infrastructure investments highlighted Beijing’s vision of the SCO as a platform for advancing multipolar global governance under Chinese leadership.

Russia, meanwhile, concentrated on matters of security and strategic balance. For Moscow, the SCO remains a valuable forum to counter Western pressure and maintain its geopolitical presence in Central Asia and South Asia. Russian President Vladimir Putin underscored the importance of joint military coordination and energy partnerships, reflecting Russia’s role as both a security guarantor and a major energy supplier in the region.

India entered the summit with a careful balancing act. While New Delhi reaffirmed its commitment to regional cooperation, its participation was shaped by bilateral sensitivities, particularly its tense relationship with Pakistan. India’s focus on connectivity and trade was designed to strengthen its role within the organization, while avoiding entanglement in disputes that could overshadow the SCO’s broader agenda.

Pakistan, on the other hand, used the summit as an opportunity to raise the issue of Kashmir, framing it in the context of self-determination. While Islamabad’s intervention attracted international attention, critics within Kashmir argued that Pakistan’s approach—treating the matter as a bilateral dispute with India—contradicts the spirit of United Nations resolutions. Beyond Kashmir, Pakistan also expressed interest in infrastructure and trade initiatives, signaling its desire to benefit from SCO-led economic integration.

The Central Asian nations, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, emphasized the need for development projects, infrastructure investments, and stronger trade links. For these smaller members, the SCO provides a critical platform to engage with larger powers while advancing their own national development goals. Observer and dialogue partner states echoed this interest, expressing readiness to take part in economic and regional collaboration initiatives. Their participation underscored the growing appeal of the SCO as a forum not just for major powers but also for nations seeking alternatives to Western-led financial and political institutions.

Media and International Reactions

The 2025 SCO Summit drew extensive media coverage, with global outlets closely analyzing both the symbolic and practical outcomes of the gathering. International reporting highlighted China’s growing influence in Eurasian geopolitics, noting that Beijing’s financial commitments and leadership in technological cooperation cement its position as the driving force behind the SCO. Analysts described China’s role as an attempt to position itself as the architect of a new multipolar order, challenging Western dominance in multilateral diplomacy.

Coverage also emphasized the SCO’s role in shaping regional security and economic policies, pointing to agreements on counterterrorism, infrastructure development, and energy partnerships as key outcomes. The summit was framed as evidence that Eurasian states are increasingly turning towards one another for cooperation, rather than relying solely on Western-led platforms.

However, Pakistan’s decision to raise the Kashmir issue as a matter of self-determination did not go unnoticed. While Islamabad succeeded in bringing attention to Kashmir on the international stage, many Kashmiri nationalist groups criticized the move, arguing that Pakistan’s narrative reduces the conflict to a bilateral dispute with India. This contradiction sparked debate in the media, with some outlets questioning the credibility of Pakistan’s position.

International analysts were divided in their assessments. Some argued that the SCO’s growing prominence demonstrates its value as an alternative multilateral forum, offering a space for dialogue and development outside Western influence. Others, however, cautioned that unresolved conflicts like Kashmir reveal the structural limitations of the SCO, which lacks mechanisms for formal dispute resolution. Critics warned that without addressing such fundamental challenges, the organization risks being seen as a platform for economic deals rather than a true peace-building institution.

The 2025 SCO Summit in Tianjin served as a reminder of how far the organization has come since its inception nearly a quarter of a century ago. What began as a regional security grouping has now evolved into a multidimensional platform that seeks to balance security imperatives with economic integration, technological cooperation, and political dialogue. China’s leadership, underscored by its financial pledges and technological initiatives, demonstrated that Beijing now views the SCO not just as a diplomatic stage but as a cornerstone of its Eurasian strategy.

Yet, the summit also revealed the organization’s limitations. While discussions around counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and trade integration showcased the SCO’s growing capabilities, the brief mention of Kashmir highlighted the challenges of managing unresolved disputes within such a diverse bloc. For many observers, the inability of the SCO to meaningfully engage with or mediate on such conflicts underlines its structural weakness: it is a forum for dialogue and cooperation, but not a mechanism for dispute resolution. This tension between ambition and constraint will likely continue to define the SCO’s trajectory.

Looking ahead, the organization’s success will depend on its capacity to translate lofty commitments into tangible outcomes. Whether through joint infrastructure projects, coordinated security measures, or technological partnerships, the SCO must prove that it can deliver benefits for both major powers and smaller member states alike. Its future relevance will also hinge on its ability to adapt to emerging global challenges—climate change, artificial intelligence, and shifting trade patterns—that go beyond traditional security concerns.

For Eurasia, the stakes are high. The SCO now represents a collective weight that spans more than half of humanity and some of the fastest-growing economies in the world. If the bloc can continue to strengthen cooperation without being paralyzed by bilateral disputes, it has the potential to shape the geopolitics of the region for decades to come. The Tianjin summit reaffirmed this possibility, signaling that the SCO is no longer a marginal security club but an increasingly dynamic forum influencing the political and economic future of Eurasia.