Will the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Open Gates for China’s Hikvision and Dahua?

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), one of Eurasia’s most influential alliances, has been strengthening economic and security ties among member states. As the organization expands its cooperation in technology and infrastructure, an important question arises: Will SCO open new market opportunities for China’s surveillance giants, Hikvision and Dahua?

Hikvision and Dahua: Global Leaders Facing Restrictions

Hikvision and Dahua are among the world’s largest CCTV and surveillance technology providers. Known for their AI-driven analytics, smart city solutions, and affordable large-scale deployments, they have established dominance across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

However, their expansion into sensitive regions has been met with restrictions. In the U.S. and Europe, both firms face bans and trade limitations due to cybersecurity, data privacy, and national security concerns.

In India, the barrier is different—the lack of STQC (Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification) approval.

The STQC Roadblock in India

India mandates that certain electronic and security equipment must pass STQC certification before being deployed in critical infrastructure projects. STQC ensures that devices meet strict standards on data safety, reliability, and performance.

Despite their global dominance, Hikvision has not obtained STQC certification in India. This means their products are ineligible for government tenders, defense projects, and sensitive installations where certified products are mandatory.

This has pushed many institutions, including airports, metro rail systems, and defense establishments, to look for alternative certified vendors, even if Hikvision products are cheaper or technologically competitive.

The absence of STQC approval raises key questions:

Are Hikvision and Dahua willing to undergo India’s stringent compliance checks?

Or will they continue to lose out on high-value government contracts in one of the world’s fastest-growing security markets?

Could SCO Be the Game Changer?

The SCO may provide China with a platform to strengthen technology collaborations, especially with Central Asian nations and Russia, where regulatory frameworks are more favorable. Member countries investing in digital infrastructure, AI-driven security, and smart city projects could open doors for Hikvision and Dahua.

However, the India factor within SCO complicates the picture. As a key member, India’s resistance toward uncertified Chinese technology could limit how far these companies can expand under the SCO umbrella.

Balancing Trust, Security, and Economics

The future of Hikvision and Dahua within the SCO space depends on balancing economic benefits with national security concerns. While some SCO members may prioritize affordability and scale, others—like India—are likely to enforce strict certification and compliance as non-negotiable entry barriers.

Until Hikvision secures STQC clearance, its opportunities in India will remain limited, regardless of the SCO’s broader economic cooperation.

Conclusion

The SCO could indeed act as a gateway for Chinese surveillance technologies, but without certifications like STQC, Hikvision and Dahua face roadblocks in markets where trust and compliance outweigh cost advantages. For China’s surveillance giants, addressing certification gaps may be as critical as geopolitics in winning new territories.