SCO 2025 Tianjin Summit and AI Governance Cooperation

Context

At the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Tianjin, India endorsed the Tianjin Declaration, committing to deeper cooperation in Artificial Intelligence governance and capacity building.

Tianjin Declaration

Nature of Declaration
. Outcome document adopted by the SCO Council of Heads of States at the 2025 Tianjin Summit
. Covers security, development, technology and institutional reforms

AI Governance Framework
. Recognises equal rights of all countries to develop and use AI
. Aligned with the UN General Assembly resolution on AI capacity building

AI Risk Mitigation
. Emphasis on security, accountability and transparency
. Promotion of inclusiveness, trustworthiness and fairness in AI systems

AI Cooperation Roadmap
. Support for the SCO AI Cooperation Roadmap
. Focus on joint research, common standards and capacity building

Regional AI Centre
. Welcomed UNGA proposal for a Regional AI Centre in Dushanbe
. Aimed at strengthening Central Asia’s digital ecosystem

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

Nature of Organisation
. Permanent intergovernmental organisation in Eurasia
. Focus on regional security, economic cooperation and people-to-people ties

Establishment and Structure
. Established on 15 June 2001 in Shanghai
. Secretariat in Beijing and RATS in Tashkent

Membership
. 10 Member States including India, China, Russia, Iran
. 2 Observer States: Afghanistan and Mongolia

Key Areas of Cooperation
. Counter-terrorism, separatism and extremism through RATS
. Growing focus on digital economy, cybersecurity and AI

Decision-Making Bodies
. Council of Heads of States as the supreme body
. Council of Heads of Government for economic and budgetary matters

Conclusion

India’s endorsement of the Tianjin Declaration reflects its commitment to inclusive, responsible and rule-based AI governance, reinforcing the SCO’s evolving role in regional technological cooperation.

Source : DD News