The **Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)** is a Eurasian intergovernmental organization established in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan to foster regional peace, security, and economic cooperation[1][2][4]. It originated from the Shanghai Five group formed in 1996, initially focusing on border demilitarization and confidence-building among member states[4][6]. The SCO has since expanded to include India, Pakistan, Iran, and Belarus as full members, making it a significant regional bloc comprising ten countries as of 2025[2][4]. The organization's core objectives include enhancing political dialogue, counterterrorism efforts, economic collaboration, and cultural exchange across Eurasia[1][2][4]. It plays a vital role in coordinating security measures, especially in combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism through its Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS)[4][5]. Economically, the SCO supports large infrastructure and energy projects, such as the China-led Silk Road Economic Belt and the Central Asia–China Gas Pipeline, strengthening regional connectivity[3][4]. Governed by the Heads of State Council, which meets annually, the SCO serves as a platform for dialogue on issues like trade, security, and development, promoting a multipolar regional order that counters Western-dominated institutions[2][3]. Its geographic and demographic scope is vast, covering about 24% of the world's landmass and 42% of the global population, with a combined nominal GDP around 23% of the world total[4]. The organization’s headquarters is in Beijing, with its official languages being Chinese and Russian[5]. Notably, the SCO balances major powers China and Russia’s strategic interests while providing a forum for Central and South Asian countries to coordinate policies[3][4]. Despite occasional internal frictions, the SCO remains a key actor in Eurasian geopolitics, emphasizing regional stability, economic integration, and