Recently, the Indian External Affairs Minister attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan.

• He also held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from SCO members Tajikistan and Russia, and the newest member Belarus.

Issues Highlighted by India in the SCO Summit 2024

The following various issues including terrorism, connectivity and climate change have been highlighted by India:

• On Rising Tensions: Ongoing conflicts, rising tensions, trust deficits and increasing number of hotspots around the world have put significant strain on international relations and global economic growth. 
  • The SCO gathering is aimed at finding common ground to mitigate the consequences of these developments.
• On Terrorism: Priority must naturally be given to combating terrorism, one of the original goals of the SCO. Terrorism challenge has been faced by many countries, often originating beyond our borders.
  • Terrorism in any form or manifestation cannot be justified or condoned. International community must isolate and expose those countries that harbour terrorists, provide safe havens and condone terrorism.
  • Cross-border terrorism requires a decisive response and terrorism financing and recruitment must be resolutely countered. 
  • There is also a need to take proactive steps to prevent the spread of radicalization among the youth.
• On Climate Change: It is one of the prominent concerns before the World today.
  • Members need to work towards achieving committed reduction in emissions, including transition to alternate fuels, adoption of electric vehicles, and building climate-resilient infrastructure.
• On Connectivity: Economic development requires robust connectivity. That can also pave the way for cooperation and trust between the societies.
  • Respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-discriminatory trade rights and transit regimes is essential for connectivity and infrastructure projects. 
    • The SCO needs to deliberate seriously on these aspects.
• On Technology: The 21st century is the century of technology and the SCO has to make technology creative and apply it to the welfare and progress of the societies.
  • India is among the countries to formulate a National Strategy on Artificial Intelligence and the launch of an AI Mission.
  • India’s commitment to ‘AI for All’ is also reflected in working within the SCO framework on a Roadmap on AI cooperation.
• On Central Asia: India shares deep civilizational ties with the people of this region. Recognizing the centrality of Central Asia to SCO, India has prioritized their interests and aspirations. It is reflected in greater exchanges, projects and activities with them.
• On Cooperation: Cooperation in the SCO has been people-centric. SCO provides a unique platform to unite people, collaborate, grow and prosper together, practicing the millenia old principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam which means ‘The World is One Family’.
  • India organized SCO Millet Food Festival, SCO Film Festival, SCO Surajkund Craft Mela, SCO Think-Tanks Conference, and International Conference on Shared Buddhist Heritage during its presidency. 

Enroll now for UPSC Online Course

About Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)

With the dissolution of the USSR in 1991 into 15 independent countries, there were concerns in the region about extremist religious groups and ethnic tensions coming to the fore. To manage these issues, a grouping was created for cooperation on security matters.

• Origin: Its origins lie in the “Shanghai Five”, formed in 1996 and consisting of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
• Establishment: The SCO was established on June 15, 2001, in Shanghai as an international organization, and also included Uzbekistan as a sixth member. 
• Members: Before the inclusion of Belarus, it had nine members: India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
  • Observer Status: Afghanistan and Mongolia
• Significance: SCO is one of the few international organizations which deal with security issues and primarily has Asian members. 
  • Alternative to Western International Order: Both Russia and China have stressed its position as an alternative to a “Western” international order. 
    • Along with the BRICS grouping, which has India, South Africa and Brazil as well, the two countries are seen positioning against US influence.
• Challenges: The opaque parameters it uses to launch its initiatives and institutions allows countries to look past the rivalries they have with others in the group. But it does nothing to heal the rifts. 
• • Example: SCO embraces both Pakistan and India, which acknowledge their mutually hostile ties. India’s relationship with China itself is also tense on several fronts.

Relevance of SCO for India

The SCO provides a platform for India to enhance economic cooperation and communicate with security concerns.

• A Forum to Enhance Cooperation with Central Asian Countries: SCO membership allows India to participate in a forum which enhances its scope of cooperation with Central Asian countries, which have not had particularly close relations with India since their formation in 1991. 
• Communicate on Security Issues: It also matters for maintaining communication with major actors in the region on common security issues.
  • Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS): An important permanent structure within the SCO that assists members in the preparation and staging of counter-terrorism exercises, analyzes key intelligence information coming in from the member states, and shares information on terrorist movements and drug trafficking.

India’s Concerns with SCO

Although the SCO provides significant economic opportunities to India, its internal contradictions are a cause for concern. 

• Difficulty in Managing ties: India shares tense relationships with China and Pakistan at present. Last year, when the summit was to be held under India’s presidency as part of the rotation, it decided to hold a virtual summit instead.
• Belt and Road Initiative (BRI): The New Delhi Declaration issued at the end of the leaders’ summit saw India refuse to sign off on a paragraph supporting the BRI. 
  • Reason for Disapproval: India’s opposition to the BRI comes from its constituent China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is proposed to pass through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. 
    • India sees it as a violation of its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Check Out UPSC CSE Books From PW Store