- The Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) held its 21st Summit via video conferencing in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, recently on 17 September 2021.
- The meeting’s main focus was on the situation on the ground in Afghanistan and its worldwide ramifications.
- Iran has been approved as the organization’s ninth full member.
- The meeting was chaired by H.E. Emomali Rahmon, the President of Tajikistan.
India’s Position in meeting:
It took a firm stance against radicalization and extremism, pushing the panel to develop a coordinated approach and a code of conduct to combat terror financing and cross-border terrorism.
The role of moderate Islam in Central Asia was also emphasised.
Concerns were raised about the terrible humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Afghanistan, with the Afghan people’s economic troubles worsening due to an obstruction in banking and commercial movements.
The trends in the country could lead to an unregulated flow of drugs, illegal weapons, and human trafficking, according to the report.
It is committed to improving its Central Asian connectivity. The assertion that all countries’ territorial integrity should be respected.
About SCO:
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is an intergovernmental organisation that exists indefinitely. The Republic of Kazakhstan, the People’s Republic of China, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Russian Federation, and the Republic of Tajikistan announced the formation of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Shanghai (China) in June 2001.
The status of a full member of the Organization was awarded to the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan at the historic meeting of the SCO’s Heads of State Council held in Astana in June 2017.
Official Languages:
Russian and Chinese.
Permanent Bodies:
SCO Secretariat in Beijing
Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in Tashkent.
Chairmanship:
It is by rotation for a year by Member States.
The following are the key objectives of SCO:
To foster successful cooperation in trade, politics, research, the economy, technology, and culture among member states by strengthening mutual trust and neighbourliness.
Other categories include education, transportation, energy, environmental protection, tourism, and others.
Making cooperative efforts to maintain and ensure regional security, stability, and peace; working toward the formation of a new international economic and political system that is democratic, logical, and fair.
Internal policies are guided by the values of mutual benefit, mutual trust, mutual consultations, equality, tolerance for cultural variety, and a desire for common progress, whereas exterior policies are guided by the concepts of non-targeting and non-alignment.
Members countries of SCO
There are 9 Member States:
China
India
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Russia
Pakistan
Tajikistan
Uzbekistan
Iran
There are 3 Observer States interested in acceding to full membership:
Afghanistan
Belarus
Mongolia
There are 6 Dialogue Partners:
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Cambodia
Nepal
Sri Lanka
Turkey
Structure and operation
The Heads of State Council are the SCO’s highest decision-making body (HSC).
The HSC meets once a year to develop rules and make decisions on all of the SCO’s major issues.
The Heads of Government Council (HGC) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meets once a year to debate the organization’s multilateral cooperation strategy and priority areas, as well as to address pressing economic and other cooperation issues.
The SCO Secretariat in Beijing and the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in Tashkent are the two permanent bodies of the organisation.
The Council of Heads of State appoints the Director of the SCO RATS Executive Committee and the SCO Secretary-General for a three-year term.
Importance for India:
India’s stated policy of pursuing “multi-alignments” includes the SCO.
The strategic and geographical region that the SCO covers is immensely crucial from the Indian standpoint. Security, strategic, economic, and geopolitical concerns are all entwined with this area’s evolution.
Terrorism, radicalism, and insecurity are all serious threats to India’s sovereignty and integrity.
India requested intelligence and information from the SCO’s counter-terrorism organisation, the Regional Anti-Terror Structure in Tashkent (RATS).
A stable Afghanistan is also in India’s interests, and RATS gives access to counter-terrorism data that isn’t centred on Pakistan.
Accessing these resources becomes challenging in Central Asia’s landlocked states, with Uzbekistan being doubly landlocked. In this regard, India has made the construction of the International North-South Transport Corridor a top priority. By joining the SCO, India will be able to link with other countries in the region.
The Central Asian region is abundant in important minerals and natural resources.
Cooperation in the energy sector is of particular significance. However, India will have to contend with a resolute China, which will pursue its Belt and Road Initiative.
India’s SCO membership will assist it in becoming a significant pan-Asian player, as it is currently confined to the South Asian region.
India’s SCO Membership Challenges
India may face difficulties as a result of Pakistan’s admission to the SCO.
Because China and Russia are co-founders of the SCO and its main powers, India’s ability to assert itself would be limited, and it may be forced to play second fiddle.
As the SCO has generally had an anti-Western stance, India may have to either diminish its expanding alliance with the West or engage in a delicate balancing act.
Shanghai Corporation’s Organizational Strengths
The SCO encompasses 40% of the world’s population, approximately 20% of global GDP, and 22% of the planet’s land mass.
Due to its geographical significance, the SCO plays a strategic role in Asia, allowing it to govern Central Asia and limit American influence in the region.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is considered as a counterweight to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Shanghai Corporation Organization’s Challenges
Terrorism, extremism, and separatism are among the SCO’s security difficulties, as are drug and arms trafficking, illegal immigration, and other issues.
Despite their proximity in terms of geography, the SCO’s decision-making is complicated by the great diversity of its members’ histories, backgrounds, languages, national interests, forms of government, riches, and culture.