GS Paper II
News Excerpt:
The Indian External Affairs Minister attended the meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State held in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana.
More about the News:
- Indian External Affairs Minister held talks with his counterparts from SCO members Tajikistan, Russia, China, and the newest member Belarus, on the sidelines of the two-day summit.
- India also welcomed Belarus to the SCO as its newest member.
Key outcomes of Summit:
- The key outcome was the signing of the Astana Declaration, which underscores the commitment to non-interference in internal affairs and the importance of reforms to strengthen the United Nations (UN).
- According to the Astana Declaration, member states underscored the SCO’s role in bolstering global peace, security, and stability and shaping a new democratic, equitable international political and economic order, inviting the global community to join the initiative.
- The following decisions have been signed by the Heads of State:
- The declaration also introduced the initiative "On World Unity for Just Peace, Harmony, and Development," inviting the global community to join in this effort.
- The SCO Development Strategy until 2035, outlining collective contributions in light of Belarus gaining membership status.
- The cooperation programs to combat terrorism, separatism, and extremism for 2025-2027.
- The Anti-Drug Strategy for the next five years, and its corresponding Action Program.
- Strategies for energy cooperation until 2030.
- Economic Development Strategy’s Action Plan until 2030.
- Resolutions encompassed the Association of Investors, programs for developing cooperation in protected areas and eco-tourism, and mechanisms for financing SCO project activities.
- Qingdao City in China was declared the SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital for 2024-2025.
About Shanghai Cooperation Organisation:
- Its origins lie in the “Shanghai Five”, formed in 1996 and consisting of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.
- Building on this, SCO was established on June 15, 2001, in Shanghai as an international organization, and also included Uzbekistan as a sixth member
- India and Pakistan joined in 2017 and Iran was admitted as a full member in 2021.
- Before the inclusion of Belarus (Admitted in 2024), it had nine members: India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
- Afghanistan and Mongolia hold Observer Status.
- The goals of the SCO are:
- To strengthen mutual trust, friendship, and good neighborliness between the member States.
- To encourage effective cooperation between the Member States in such spheres as politics, trade, economy, science and technology, culture, education, energy, transport, tourism, environmental protection, etc.
- To jointly ensure and maintain peace, security, and stability in the region; and
- To promote a new democratic, fair, and rational international political and economic international order.
- The headquarters of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is located in Beijing, China.
Relevance of the SCO for India:
- SCO membership allows India to participate in a forum that enhances its scope of cooperation with Central Asian countries, which have not had particularly close relations with India since their formation in 1991.
- It is also important for maintaining communication with major actors in the region on common security issues.
- An important permanent structure within the SCO is the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS). It 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.
- The SCO offers India opportunities to enhance connectivity and trade with Central Asian countries. Projects like the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) can benefit from enhanced cooperation within the SCO framework, facilitating greater access to markets in Central Asia and beyond.
- Central Asia is rich in energy resources, and India's engagement with SCO member states can help secure energy supplies and diversify its energy sources.
- India's presence in the SCO allows it to balance its relationships with major powers like China and Russia, both of which are influential members of the organization.
Challenges for India in SCO:
- Challenges related to security and connectivity persist. India remains the only SCO member state that is not a part of BRI. This decision stems from sovereignty concerns, particularly regarding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
- The ongoing border disputes between India and China, including the standoff in eastern Ladakh, add a layer of complexity to their interactions within the SCO.
- Pakistan's state-sponsored terrorism against India presents a significant obstacle to India's effective participation in the SCO.
- Western sanctions on Russia complicate the trade among SCO members. President Putin's appeal for India and China to trade in local currencies encounters challenges due to the volatility of the exchange rate of the rupee-ruble and ruble-yuan.
- India faces trade imbalances with several SCO member states, particularly China. Addressing these imbalances while promoting greater economic cooperation is a significant challenge.
Way Forward for India:
- India should engage proactively with all SCO member states to build stronger bilateral relationships.
- Strengthen collaboration with the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) to enhance intelligence sharing and joint counter-terrorism operations.
- Work with SCO members to develop a coordinated approach towards stability in Afghanistan.
- Address trade imbalances by promoting Indian exports to SCO countries and identifying new areas of economic cooperation.
- Engage in energy projects with Central Asian countries to secure energy resources and diversify supply chains.
- Balance relations with major powers within the SCO, particularly China and Russia, while maintaining strategic partnerships with Western allies.
- Enhance cultural exchanges, tourism, and educational partnerships with SCO member states.
By focusing on these strategic areas, India can effectively navigate the challenges within the SCO and leverage the organization's platform to advance its national interests, enhance regional stability, and foster economic growth.
