External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will visit Islamabad on October 15-16 to attend the SCO Heads of Government meeting, following Pakistan’s earlier invitation.
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) – Overview
- Origin: Established in 1996 as a sub-regional group Shanghai Five, including China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, primarily focussing on border security and confidence-building measures.
- Transition to SCO: On June 15, 2001, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation was officially founded in Shanghai, incorporating Uzbekistan as a new member.
- Current Membership:
- Full Members (10): India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan,Belarus and Uzbekistan.
- Recent Expansion: Belarus has joined as a full member.
- Observer States: Afghanistan and Mongolia, which have non-voting observer status, are engaged but not full participants.
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Why did SCO come into existence?
- With the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, five Central Asian republics emerged between China and Russia. This region faced threats such as extremism and radicalisation, posing challenges to both Russia and China.
- The SCO was created to address these security concerns, fostering cooperation to counter terrorism, separatism, and radical ideologies.
- A key objective was to prevent American influence from spreading in the region and to promote an alternative world order, limiting Western dominance.
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Why is SCO Important?
- Security Cooperation: Rising threats from extremism, separatism, and terrorism, particularly in Central Asia, necessitate a united approach.
- The SCO facilitates intelligence-sharing, joint military exercises, and strategic planning to combat radical ideologies.
- Its Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) plays a vital role in addressing these challenges effectively.
- Economic and Trade Initiatives: Initiatives like China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which focuses on infrastructural development and connectivity, align well with the economic objectives of SCO countries. The organisation encourages enhanced trade, energy cooperation, and investment.
- Promoting a Multipolar World Order:
- The SCO is a critical forum for Russia and China to advocate for an alternative world order that counters Western influence.
- By promoting a multilateral framework, member states can pursue regional solutions and diminish Western dominance in international institutions.
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Country-Specific Interests
- Russia aims to maintain influence in Central Asia post-USSR, securing its borders and addressing regional security threats while reasserting its global presence.
- China promotes its centrality through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), focussing on expanding influence and securing borders, especially in Central Asia, counterbalancing Russia’s dominance.
- Central Asian Republics use the SCO for security and economic collaboration, diversifying partnerships beyond China by exploring alternatives like India for exporting natural resources.
- India leverages the SCO to boost its influence in the Global South, seeking better connectivity with Central Asia for access to minerals and energy. It also promotes a multipolar world order as an alternative to Western hegemony.
Challenges within the SCO
- Current Status in the Region:
- Power Struggle in the Region: The SCO is currently caught in a power struggle exacerbated by geopolitical tensions among its member states.
- Impact of the Russia-Ukraine War: The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has weakened Russia, limiting its ability to assert influence in Central Asia and among other SCO members.
- Rising Militancy and Civil Strife: Increasing militancy and civil unrest in the Central Asian region pose significant security challenges for member states.
- Middle East Conflicts: The war between Iran and Israel adds another layer of complexity, further straining regional security dynamics.
- U.S. sanctions on Russia: American sanctions on Russia hinder its collaboration with other SCO members and restrict its capacity to lead effectively.
- Internal Conflicts Among Member States
- China-Russia: The SCO has transitioned from Russian dominance to greater Chinese influence, driven by economic investments and the Belt and Road Initiative.
- The 2017 inclusion of India and Pakistan highlighted this power struggle, with Russia supporting India and China backing Pakistan.
- India and other members: The ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, as well as between India and China, exacerbate these challenges, limiting the organisation’s ability to function cohesively
- Divergent Interests: Despite common objectives, the differing strategic interests of member states (e.g., India, Central Asian Republics, China and Russia etc.) limit the SCO’s ability to enact substantial changes.
Despite these challenges, the SCO remains significant as it increases the scope for cooperation and dialogue among member states, allowing them to showcase their influence on the global stage, even if fully successful outcomes are limited.
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Conclusion
The SCO is crucial given the historical lack of dialogue between India and Pakistan post terrorist attacks of Pathankot and Uri. The foreign minister’s participation in the SCO meeting presents an opportunity for ice-breaking between the two nations, potentially leading to enhanced communication and future cooperation for a more stable regional environment.
October 5, 2024
