THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, JUNE 26, 2026

Reaffirming its commitment to women-led development as the foundation of inclusive and sustainable growth, India on Friday reiterated its resolve to strengthen cooperation with member nations of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to promote women's economic leadership and well-being across the region.

Addressing the SCO Women's Forum 2026 in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, through a video message, Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annpurna Devi reaffirmed India's commitment to the SCO's guiding principles of mutual respect, equality and consensus, while underscoring the country's dedication to advancing the Organisation's shared development goals.

Delivering India's opening statement and participating in the panel discussion on the Role of Women in Economic Development, the Minister highlighted that women are not merely beneficiaries of economic progress but among its most powerful drivers. She said this philosophy forms the foundation of India's vision of Women-Led Development, which is central to the country's aspiration of becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Showcasing India's achievements in women's empowerment, the Minister noted that nearly 100 million women are organised into more than 9 million Self-Help Groups across the country. Of these, over 30 million women have emerged as Lakhpati Didis, reflecting the transformative impact of community-led economic empowerment initiatives.

She also highlighted flagship initiatives such as Mission Shakti and Mission Poshan 2.0, describing them as key pillars in enhancing women's safety, care, nutrition and economic participation while fostering an enabling environment for their holistic development.

Reaffirming India's readiness to collaborate with fellow SCO member countries, the Minister said the country remains committed to sharing its experiences and best practices to deepen regional cooperation in advancing women's economic empowerment and improving their overall well-being, further strengthening the Organisation's collective development agenda.