Answer:

India’s participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) offers a strategic platform for diplomatic engagement with Pakistan and other regional players. The SCO, founded in 2001, aims to promote security, economic cooperation, and a multipolar world order. India’s membership, formalised in 2017, enhances its geopolitical presence in Central Asia and provides an opportunity to address broader regional interests.

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India’s Participation in the SCO Can Serve as a Platform for Diplomatic Engagement with Pakistan

• Platform for Dialogue: The SCO provides a neutral platform for India and Pakistan to engage in discussions on common regional challenges, which is rare outside multilateral forums.
  For example: External Affairs Minister will visit Islamabad for the SCO summit 2024, providing an opportunity for indirect discussions that could contribute to easing tensions.
• Counter-Terrorism Cooperation: SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) facilitates joint efforts to counter terrorism
  For example: Both nations have participated in RATS, promoting intelligence-sharing on terrorism threats originating from Afghanistan.
• Economic Connectivity: The SCO offers opportunities to discuss economic connectivity, which can be a common ground despite political tensions.
  For example: India’s proposal for greater connectivity with Central Asia aligns with Pakistan’s interest in economic integration under the SCO.
• Crisis Management: SCO serves as a forum where crises like border conflicts can be diplomatically managed through indirect talks.
  For example: SCO summits have allowed for indirect engagement between Indian and Pakistani leaders following events like the Pulwama attack.
• Confidence-Building Measures: Regular participation in SCO military exercises can build confidence between India and Pakistan through joint military practices in a neutral setting.

India Can Address Broader Regional Interests within the SCO While Managing This Complex Relationship

• Enhancing Central Asian Connectivity: India’s involvement in the SCO helps boost its connectivity with Central Asian states, which are vital for energy and trade.
• Strengthening Anti-Terrorism Cooperation: India’s efforts to strengthen the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) align with its broader goal of countering terrorism across the region, while maintaining a dialogue with Pakistan on this issue.
  For example: India pushes for joint initiatives within RATS to combat cross-border terrorism.
• Leveraging Multilateral Platforms: India can leverage the SCO’s multilateral nature to advance its diplomatic goals without being confined to direct bilateral discussions with Pakistan.
  For instance: At SCO summits, India has raised issues of cross-border terrorism without engaging in direct confrontations with Pakistan.
• Focusing on Economic Diplomacy: By emphasising economic cooperation and trade partnerships with Central Asian states, India can balance its broader regional interests while minimising direct conflict with Pakistan.
  For example: India’s Connect Central Asia policy aligns with SCO’s objectives, enhancing its role in regional trade without focusing on bilateral tensions.
• Managing Bilateral Conflicts Within Multilateral Frameworks: India uses the SCO to maintain diplomatic relations with Pakistan while addressing conflicts under the broader multilateral framework, preventing escalation.

Way Forward

• Promoting Regional Connectivity: India should continue to enhance its connectivity with Central Asia through various initiatives, bypassing Pakistan, while using SCO to facilitate these economic connections.
• Deepening Anti-Terror Cooperation: India should push for greater coordination within the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), focusing on combating terrorism in South Asia and Central Asia.
• Balancing Bilateral and Multilateral Engagements: India must continue its engagement with Pakistan on multilateral platforms like the SCO while keeping bilateral issues separate to avoid conflict spillovers.
• Strengthening Economic Diplomacy: By focusing on economic partnerships within the SCO, India can bolster trade relations with Central Asian nations, promoting a shared agenda that overrides bilateral conflicts.
• Leveraging Strategic Partnerships: India should continue to balance its relationships with Russia and China within the SCO while using its ties with other members to promote regional stability and cooperation.

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India’s participation in the SCO serves as a critical platform for maintaining diplomatic engagement with Pakistan while addressing broader regional interests. By leveraging multilateral platforms, enhancing economic and anti-terrorism cooperation, and promoting connectivity, India can manage its complex relationships within the organisation. Strategic partnerships and focused diplomacy will allow India to balance its regional objectives while contributing to geopolitical stability in the Indo-Mediterranean region.

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