Virtual Summit, Virtual Silence

Context: 

India’s Foreign Secretary emphasizes the significance of the virtual SCO summit, but fails to provide reasons for not holding a physical or hybrid summit. 

Reasons for Virtual Summit: 

• Lack of credible reasons for the virtual summit suggests a departure from India’s previous engagement. 
• Avoidance of Controversies: The virtual summit allowed Prime Minister Modi to avoid personal meetings, including with Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif, minimizing potential controversies. 
  • Example: The avoidance of personal meetings helps India side step sensitive issues and potential diplomatic challenges. 

India’s shifting interest in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO):

• China’s Actions: China’s behavior towards India in 2020 and the evolving international order have prompted India to reassess its interests in the SCO. 
  • The contentious issues and border disputes between India and China have strained their relationship, leading to a more assertive stance by India on issues such as terrorism and connectivity.
• Terrorism Concerns: India has fundamental differences with China and Pakistan on the issue of terrorism. 
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that some countries use cross-border terrorism as a tool of their policies and called for the SCO to criticize such nations. 
  • This resonates with the Central Asian Republics, which have concerns about terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan.
• Connectivity Issues: Connectivity is a core issue for the SCO, but India’s isolation within the organization is apparent. 
  • India has reiterated its position that connectivity projects should respect national sovereignty. 
  • Its primary target is China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), specifically the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which India sees as violating its sovereignty.

China’s Eurasian Integration: 

• India should be cautious about China’s integration of Eurasia, potentially excluding India from the region with Pakistan’s support. 
• While India should not endorse the BRI, it must find ways to maintain close ties with Eurasia. 
  • Example: India should focus on developing connectivity through projects like the Chabahar port in Iran and fostering pragmatic policies towards Afghanistan. 

Silence on Ukraine War: 

• The SCO summit and statements did not address the ongoing Ukraine war. 
• Russian President Putin thanked SCO countries for supporting Russia in defending constitutional order but received no mention of support from President Xi. 
  • Example: The silence on the Ukraine war by India, Pakistan and China indicates a deliberate omission and highlights varying perspectives within the SCO.

Upcoming BRICS Summit: 

• Attention turns to the BRICS summit in South Africa,  where leaders like Xi and Putin may be present.
• The question arises whether PM Modi will attend, considering the potential impact on diplomatic relations before the G-20 summit in Delhi. 

News Source: The Hindu