Article 1: Forging consensus
Why in news: Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the SCO summit in Bishkek, focusing on counter-terrorism, regional security, Central Asian engagement, BRICS coordination and challenges to economic, energy and connectivity security.
Key Details
- SCO: Marks 25 years of the Eurasian grouping.
- Iran: SCO condemned U.S.-Israel attacks and supported Iran’s peaceful nuclear rights.
- Terrorism: India called for action against terrorist financing, recruitment, radicalisation and safe havens.
- Central Asia: India seeks stronger cooperation in trade, critical minerals and tourism.
- Geopolitics: Tariffs, Iran conflict, Russia sanctions and Hormuz disruptions threaten regional economic security.
SCO Summit and India’s Multi-Pronged Agenda
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the SCO leaders’ meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, as the organisation marked its 25th anniversary.
- The summit provided India an opportunity to engage with key partners amid major geopolitical tensions in Eurasia.
- Discussions were influenced by the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, which has created economic and security pressures across the SCO region.
- India also used the summit to prepare for the upcoming BRICS summit in New Delhi.
- With Pakistan assuming the SCO chairmanship, India sought to set priorities for the organisation’s next year.
Iran, BRICS and Regional Consensus
- The Bishkek Declaration condemned attacks by the U.S. and Israel on Iran and reaffirmed Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear technology under the NPT.
- Iran’s role within the SCO is significant, while Pakistan’s emerging mediation role between Iran and the U.S. adds another dimension.
- Several SCO members are also part of BRICS, creating opportunities for coordination between the two groupings.
- India will host leaders including Russia, China and Iran at the upcoming BRICS summit.
- New Delhi aims to build consensus on a joint declaration despite differences among members, including UAE-Iran tensions.
Renewing Engagement with Central Asia
- India’s engagement with the Central Asian Republics has weakened due to competing geopolitical and strategic priorities.
- Modi’s visits to Tashkent and Bishkek provided an opportunity to revive high-level engagement with the region.
- India seeks greater cooperation in trade, critical minerals, tourism and connectivity.
- Central Asia is strategically important for India’s economic interests, energy security and access to Eurasia.
- The SCO can serve as an important platform for strengthening India’s Central Asian outreach.
India’s Focus on Counter-Terrorism
- Modi emphasised dismantling the ecosystem of terrorist financing, recruitment, radicalisation and safe havens.
- India called upon the SCO to reject double standards in dealing with terrorism.
- He urged countries to act against states that use terrorism as an instrument of policy or provide support and safe havens to terrorists.
- The Bishkek Declaration strongly condemned all forms of terrorism, including cross-border terrorism.
- This language was welcomed by India, although its implementation under Pakistan’s SCO presidency remains uncertain.
Geopolitical Challenges and India’s Strategic Response
- The summit was more subdued than the previous year amid growing geopolitical and economic instability.
- U.S. tariffs, sanctions on Russia and the conflict involving Iran are creating economic and energy-security challenges for SCO members.
- Disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz also threaten regional connectivity and energy supplies.
- India faces a changing strategic environment, including Pakistan’s expanding diplomatic engagement with the U.S., Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
- India therefore needs to broaden and deepen its engagement with the SCO and other regional multilateral institutions while maintaining strategic autonomy.
Conclusion
The SCO remains important for India as geopolitical tensions reshape Eurasia. New Delhi should use the platform to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation, deepen Central Asian engagement, protect connectivity and advance economic interests. At the same time, India must maintain strategic autonomy and balanced relations with Russia, China, Iran and other members, while expanding engagement across regional multilateral institutions to safeguard national interests.
Descriptive question:
The SCO provides India an important platform to pursue its security and strategic interests in Eurasia. Discuss the opportunities and challenges for India within the SCO. (150 words, 10 marks)