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The External Affairs Minister represented India in the 2024 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit organized in Islamabad, Pakistan.
The External Affairs Minister highlighted the need to combat terrorism, separatism, and extremism for SCO member countries. He underlined that cooperation among countries depends on mutual trust and respect, therefore nations should respect territorial integrity and sovereignty.
China and Pakistan urged SCO members to not view the BRI through a "narrow political lens" and understand its potential benefits for strengthening regional economic connectivity. India is the only SCO member that hasn’t supported China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), India opposing it due to territorial concerns.
The member countries discussed the negative impact of Western sanctions, especially on countries like Russia and Iran, and criticized trade protectionism, and also addressed matters related to high tariffs from Western nations and advocated for ensuring smoother industrial and trade connections.
SCO is an intergovernmental organization that concentrates on political, economic, and security cooperation among its member states.
In 1996, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan established the Shanghai Five to enhance military trust and border security.
In 2001, Uzbekistan joined the group, and then the organization was renamed as Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. The SCO Charter (2003) outlines its goals and principles.
In June 2017, SCO expanded to eight states with India and Pakistan joined.
Iran joined the group in July 2023, and Belarus in July 2024.
At Present SCO has 10 Members, and the secretariat is located in Beijing, China.
"Afghanistan and Mongolia" are the 2 countries having Observer Status in the SCO.
The SCO covers about 24% of the world's area and 42% of the world population, making it the largest regional organization by geography and population.
With the inclusion of Iran, the SCO controls significant portions of the world’s oil and natural gas reserves.
The SCO positions itself as an alternative to Western-dominated international forums, promoting a multipolar world order.
Key Initiatives of SCO
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In June 2017, India became a full member of the SCO during the summit in Astana, Kazakhstan. It was a significant step in India’s engagement with Eurasian geopolitics.
India’s membership in the SCO allows it to engage with Central Asian countries, Russia, and China on various strategic issues; security, counter-terrorism, and economic cooperation.
The SCO provides a platform for India to collaborate with other member nations to enhance regional security through cooperation on counter-terrorism and addressing separatism.
India aims to boost trade and investment with SCO member states. The organization facilitates economic projects, infrastructure development, and energy cooperation, which are crucial for India’s economic interests.
India promotes cultural, educational, and technological exchanges within the SCO framework to strengthen people-to-people ties and mutual understanding.
It strengthened India’s abilities in counter-terrorism through Joint military exercises and intelligence sharing with the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS).
India engages in various economic initiatives, including infrastructure projects and trade agreements, to enhance connectivity and economic integration with Central Asia.
India has border disputes with both Pakistan and China, and this makes it harder for the entire group to move forward on collaborative projects.
SCO countries have very different economic priorities and political systems. For example, some countries may prioritize security, while others focus on trade. These differing views can make it hard to align everyone towards the same goals.
Each member country has its own definition and method for dealing terrorism, extremism, and separatism challenges, which create difficulties in designing a united policy.
Non-tariff barriers, different trade rules, and logistical challenges creating challenges for member countries to trade smoothly, and poor infrastructure in some countries also limits the potential for regional connectivity and economic cooperation.
India and China need to maintain cooperation. Diplomatic efforts and confidence-building measures can go a long way in reducing the border tensions. If they can cooperate better within the SCO, it will create a much more positive atmosphere for everyone.
Bilateral relations between India and Pakistan could improve through backchannel diplomacy and by encouraging people-to-people exchanges, to reduce the tension and make it easier for both countries to work together within the SCO framework.
Simplifying trade processes and rationalizing non-tariff barriers will help to improve trade between SCO countries.
SCO members should collaborate on infrastructure projects to strengthen economic relations and improve cooperation.
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q.Critically Analyze how India can leverage its membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to enhance its economic ties with Central Asian countries? (250 Words) |
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