India Pushes Trade Facilitation as SCO Ministers Conclude 25th Economic Meeting in Dushanbe

Key facts

• The 25th Meeting of the Ministers of Economy and Foreign Trade of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) concluded in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on September 17, 2026, covering trade facilitation, resilient supply chains, digital commerce, connectivity and the 2026–30 economic cooperation action plan.
• India was represented by Yashvir Singh, who framed its position around three pillars — Security, Connectivity and Opportunity — outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the SCO summit in Bishkek earlier in September 2026.
• Ministers adopted a Statement of the Ministers of Economy and Foreign Trade of SCO Member States and agreed on an Action Plan for 2026–2030 for implementing the SCO Programme of Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation, to be forwarded to the Council of Heads of Government for approval.
• The ministers approved regulations for an SCO special working group on the development of the creative economy.
• India called for simpler customs procedures, paperless trade, electronic exchange of trade documents, stronger multimodal connectivity, and supply chain cooperation in agriculture, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and electronics.
• India highlighted digital payments, cross-border payments and accessible trade finance for small and medium enterprises and start-ups, and reiterated support for a WTO-centred, rules-based multilateral trading system.
• The next SCO economic and foreign trade ministers' meeting is scheduled to be held in Uzbekistan in 2027.