Context

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers meeting took place in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Key Highlights of SCO Defence Ministers Meeting

• Agreements and Declarations: During the meeting, a protocol was signed by the Defence Ministers of all SCO Member States. 
  • A Joint Communique was issued after the meeting, in which the SCO Defence Ministers agreed to develop the idea of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’, which is rooted in the ancient Indian philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’.
• India’s Commitment to Peace and Counterterrorism: The Defence Secretary of India reiterated India’s commitment towards maintaining peace, stability and security in the SCO region. 
  • He emphasized the need to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism in all its forms for prosperity and development of the SCO Member States. 
  • He mentioned India’s long-standing proposal of Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism at the United Nations.

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Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)

• About: The SCO is an eight-member multilateral organization, established on 15 June 2001 in Shanghai, China by the leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. 
• Origin: Prior to the creation of SCO in 2001, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan were members of the Shanghai Five.
• Shanghai Five (1996) emerged from a series of border demarcation and demilitarization talks which the four former Soviet republics held with China to ensure stability along the borders.
• Following the accession of Uzbekistan to the organization in 2001, the Shanghai Five was renamed the SCO.
• Official Languages: Russian and Chinese
• SCO Member States:  Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan and Iran. 
• Observer States: Afghanistan, Belarus, Mongolia 
• Coverage: The SCO’s geographic scope covers 60 percent of Eurasia and represents 40 percent of the world’s population, with a combined GDP accounting for 20 percent of the global economy.
• Chairmanship: The Chairmanship of SCO is by rotation for a year by Member States.

Objectives:

• To strengthen mutual trust, friendly relations and cooperation among young people of SCO member States.
• It seeks to counter western influence in Eurasia.

India and SCO:

• India was granted Observer status at the July 2005 Astana Summit, and subsequently participated in all SCO forums open to Observers.
• India and Pakistan became members at the Astana Summit, in 2017.

SCO Organizational Structure:

• Heads of State Council: The supreme SCO body which decides its internal functioning and its interaction with other States & international organizations, and considers international issues.
• Heads of Government Council: Approves the budget, considers and decides upon issues related to economic spheres of interaction within SCO.
• Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs: Considers issues related to day-to-day activities.
• Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS): Established to combat terrorism, separatism and extremism.
• Secretariat: The Secretariat of the SCO serves to implement organizational decisions and decrees, documents (such as declarations and agendas).