India, Sept. 1 -- As Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi returns from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit at Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, marking the 25th anniversary of the regional grouping, there are three issues that need deliberation. Making a strong statement on ending terrorism, with Pakistan's PM in attendance, Modi has managed to highlight India's priorities during the summit which remains, at its core, a forum of duelling objectives. Although Central Asia has witnessed enough terror-linked activity to set up Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in Tashkent, member-specific concerns have received inadequate attention.

The first issue the government, therefore, must worry about is that the institution still lacks a centr...