SCO Summit

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), established in 2001 with China, Russia, and Central Asian nations, aims to combat terrorism, separatism, and extremism. India and Pakistan joined in 2017, and in 2023, Iran became a permanent member. Representing 40% of the global population and 20% of GDP, the SCO seeks to foster economic growth, stabilize Afghanistan, and contribute to global strategic balance. For India, there are opportunities in economic integration, energy security, and regional connectivity. But China's dominance and the Belt and Road Initiative remain a challenge. The 23rd SCO Summit in 2023 hosted by India focused on cooperation in diverse areas, environmental concerns, and welcomed Iran as a full member.

After the Soviet Union disintegrated in 1991, there were security concerns in newly independent Central Asian countries. Five nations – China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan – initially formed the "Shanghai Five" in 1996, focusing on border security and regional stability. Due to end of central Soviet authority, there were rising concerns about terrorism and extremism, the group sought deeper cooperation. Uzbekistan joined in 2001, this transition marked the SCO's evolution from a border security pact to a broader Eurasian political organisation.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a regional intergovernmental organization founded to promote cooperation among its member states in various fields. The SCO was established on June 15, 2001, in Shanghai, China. The founding members of the organization are China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The main objective of SCO is to work cooperatively against the “three evils” of terrorism, separatism, and religious extremism.

• SCO has 9 Member States: Originally started by Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan
  • India and Pakistan were admitted to the SCO grouping at its summit in Astana, Kazakhstan in 2017.
  • In the 2023 virtual summit hosted by India, Iran officially became the new Permanent Member of SCO
  • 3 observer States: Mongolia, Afghanistan, and Belarus
  • 14 Dialogue Partners: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Bahrain, Cambodia, Egypt, Qatar, Kuwait, Maldives, Myanmar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Nepal, Turkey, and Sri Lanka
• Organisational Structure:
  • Council of Heads of States (CHS) The supreme decision-making body of the SCO. It meets once a year and decides upon all the important issues of the Organization.
  • Two permanent bodies of SCO: (i) The SCO Secretariat is based in Beijing & (ii) The Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) based in Tashkent
  
  

• to strengthen mutual trust, friendship and good-neighborliness between the Member States;
• to encourage the effective cooperation between the Member States in various spheres like 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.

• Formidable international entity - Representing 40% of the global population and 20% of the world's GDP
• Economic Vibrancy - With India and China, the world's fastest-growing economies, as members.
• Stabilizing Afghanistan - The SCO is pivotal in stabilizing Afghanistan, especially post the US forces' withdrawal, evident in the establishment of a Contact Group on Afghanistan.
• Counterforce to NATO - While not a military alliance, experts view the SCO as a counterforce to NATO, emphasizing its balancing role.
• The presence of four nuclear-powered countries within the SCO contributes to a strategic balance of power in international affairs

• Economic Integration Facilitate India's economic ties with Central Asian republics through the "Connect Central Asia" policy.
• Energy Security: Improving access to hydrocarbons and uranium (Kazakhstan has largest reserve of uranium) of the energy rich member countries of Central Asia & Russia
• Regional Connectivity: Leverage the Ashgabat Agreement to enhance connectivity with Central Asian and Persian Gulf nations.
• Security Cooperation: Strengthen collaboration with SCO members to address threats like terrorism, radicalization, and extremism.
• Afghan Influence: Provide a platform for India to actively voice its perspective on Afghanistan and contribute to stabilization efforts.
• Diplomatic Balance: SCO serves as a counterbalance to India's perceived alignment with the U.S. and its allies.
• Informal Diplomacy: Informal engagement with Pakistan is possible on sidelines of SCO summits.

• Dominance of founding powers, China and Russia, in the SCO may restrict India's assertiveness within the organization.
• "Virus of conflict" in SCO refers to internal tensions – bilaterally (India-Pakistan, China's border disputes with India & Central Asian Countries) and geopolitically (US-China rivalry, SCO vs. NATO) – that hamper cooperation and impede the organization's full potential.
• Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)-Every SCO member, with the exception of India, has given their endorsement to China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), leaving India isolated on this matter.
• China-Pakistan Nexus: China's alliance with Pakistan raises significant apprehensions for India, particularly concerning security matters related to terrorism, separatism, and extremism.
• Pakistan's reluctance to allow direct land connectivity between India and Afghanistan remains a hurdle.

• Navigating Trilateral Dynamics: In the face of the trilateral competition involving the US, Russia, and China in Central Asia, India must strategically shape its foreign policy to align with its national interests.
• Strengthening Economic Ties: India should persist in expanding its economic presence in the region, contributing to sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, space, information technology, etc.
• Enhancing Cooperation within SCO: Building stronger convergences with China and Russia through the SCO platform is essential to minimize the alignment between China and Pakistan, which currently hinders India's direct access to Eurasia.
• Bilateral Collaborations: India should leverage bilateral relations, particularly with SCO countries like Iran, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, to promote Chabahar as the primary gateway to Eurasia.

The New Delhi Declaration was adopted, outlining the consensus among Member States-

• Enhance Cooperation: In digital economy, technology, transportation, finance, energy, and food security. And also education, science, technology, culture, health, disaster management, tourism, and sports.
• 2024 as the SCO Year of Environment, highlighting the importance of environmental protection and eco-tourism.
• Recognition of Iran's full membership in SCO and Belarus' progress toward SCO membership.
• Advocacy for an inclusive government in Afghanistan and efforts to counter terrorism and extremism.
• Support for the World Trade Organization's effectiveness, inclusive reform, and opposition to unilateral economic sanctions.
• Support for peaceful conflict resolution, respect for sovereignty, independence, and non-interference in internal affairs.

• People Engagement was enhanced by initiatives like SCO Millet Food Festival, Film Festival, International Conference on Shared Buddhist Heritage and others
• Five new pillars of cooperation within the SCO established by India viz. Startups and Innovation, Traditional Medicine, Youth Empowerment, Digital Inclusion, and Shared Buddhist Heritage
• Varanasi designated as the first tourism and cultural capital of the SCO.

SCO's evolution from a security pact to a multifaceted geopolitical entity with India's growing role presents both opportunities and challenges. Since its establishment in 2001, the organisation has expanded in membership and objectives. Its commitment to regional stability, economic vibrancy, and environmental protection holds significant promise. However, navigating power dynamics, overcoming India-China tensions, and addressing connectivity hurdles remain key to maximizing the SCO's potential. India's strategic engagement within the organization will be crucial for securing its interests and shaping a stable and prosperous Central Asia.