Nepal weighs its role as SCO prepares for Bishkek summit amid leadership transition

Nepal is preparing for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, with a new government in place. This leadership change introduces an element of uncertainty regarding the extent and nature of Nepal's participation in the gathering, which is scheduled for September.

Kyrgyzstan, currently holding the SCO's rotating chairmanship, has set the motto "25 Years of the SCO: Together for Sustainable Peace, Development and Prosperity." Bishkek aims to transition the organization from being merely an "organization of agreements" to one focused on "implementation." Proposals reportedly include establishing a center to counter new threats and challenges, and advancing Bishkek's long-standing push for an SCO Development Bank and investment fund.

Nepal has held the status of a Dialogue Partner within the SCO since 2015. This tier includes 14 other countries, such as Turkey, Sri Lanka, and Saudi Arabia. The ten full member states, including China, Russia, India, and Pakistan, hold the decision-making power. Nepal's role as a dialogue partner is consultative, lacking decision-making capacity. For years, Nepal has advocated for an upgrade to observer or full member status, believing it would ensure consistent summit presence and provide direct diplomatic access to major powers within the bloc. This aspiration was notably voiced by former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli at the 2025 Tianjin summit, where he called for greater connectivity and consultation among member states.