SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANISATION (SCO)

Published on 07 Jan 2025

India has millennia-old civilizational, cultural and spiritual ties with the SCO region. From the Buddhist monks to spice traders, from adventurous explorers to Sufi saints, interaction between India and the SCO Member States has led to exchange of goods, fusion of ideas, introduction of new cuisines and art forms.

Objectives of SCO

• Strengthening mutual trust among the member states.

• Promoting effective cooperation in -politics, trade & economy, research & technology and

culture.

• Enhancing ties in education, energy, transport, tourism, environmental protection, etc.

• Maintain and ensure peace, security, and stability in the region.

• Establishment of a democratic, fair, and rational new international political & economic order.

Significance of SCO

• Political

• Extended Neighbourhood Policy: Central Asia is a key component of India's Extended Neighbourhood, aligning with its "Connect Central Asia Policy."

• Example: Balancing Regional Influence: Enables India to counter the growing influence of China in Eurasia.

• Geographic and Demographic Significance: Provides a platform for cooperation and dialogue.

• Example: With Iran’s membership, SCO became the world’s largest regional organisation spanning 60 per cent of Eurasia, accounting for a quarter of the global economy.

• Diplomatic Platform: Serves as a diplomatic platform for engagement with traditional friend Russia, as well as rivals China and Pakistan.

• UNSC Reforms: The SCO is relevant for India to garner support for reforms of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

• Economic

• Economic Cooperation: Trade and investment opportunities, particularly with countries rich in natural resources.

• Example: India seeking to tap into Central Asia's oil and gas reserves for energy security.

• Energy Security: Access to vast oil and gas reserves in Central Asia.

• Example: SCO may act as a guarantor for key projects such as Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) and Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) pipelines.

• Connectivity: Promotion of connectivity among member states through infrastructure projects.

• Example: China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) as key initiatives.

• Economic Diversification: Creates avenues for selling Indian goods and accessing foreign resources, benefiting Indian industries.

• Example: Central Asian markets are potential buyers for Indian IT, telecommunications, banking, finance, and pharmaceutical products.

• Social

• Cultural Cooperation: Cultural exchange and collaboration among member states.

• Example: "Kashi" (Varanasi) was designated as the first cultural capital of the SCO.

• Security

• Counterterrorism: Collective efforts to combat terrorism, separatism, and extremism in the region.

• Example: Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) facilitates intelligence sharing and joint operations.

Challenges for India in SCO

• Geopolitical 

• China and Russia Dominance: India faces limitations in asserting itself due to the dominance of China and Russia, who are co-founders and major powers within the SCO.

• Example: China and Russia have conducted joint military exercises within the SCO framework.

• Pakistan's Inclusion: Pakistan's inclusion in SCO poses challenges for India, as it wants to combat terrorism through a body that includes states like Pakistan, which pose significant threats to Indian security.

• Divergence in Interests: Russia, Pakistan, and Central Asian countries may express broad support for China, potentially limiting India's influence.

• Example:  All SCO members, except India, support China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

• Territorial Disputes: Increasing border disputes among members.

• Example: China's attempts to promote the Gwadar Port and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for Central Asian states clash with India's sovereignty claims over the territory through which CPEC passes.

• Operational inefficiencies 

• Democratic Credentials: The SCO faces criticism from Western countries for lacking democratic credentials.

• Example: Iran's authoritarianism, China's single-party communism, and India's democracy,

• Limited Institutional Mechanisms: The existing bodies within the SCO lack formal decision-making and enforcement powers necessary for effective governance.

• Dispute Resolution Absence: There is no formal mechanism for resolving disputes among member states.

India's Contributions and Achievements with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)

• Accession as Full Member: India became a full-fledged member of the SCO in 2017.

• SECURE Concept Proposal: Prime Minister Modi proposed the 'SECURE' concept at the SCO Summit in 2018, emphasizing security, economic development, regional connectivity, unity, sovereignty, and environmental protection.

• Leadership in INSTC: India assumed leadership of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), advocating for transparent and consultative connectivity projects within the SCO region.

• Waiver from U.S. Sanctions: India secured a special waiver from U.S. sanctions against Iran in an unspecified time frame, enabling progress on projects like Chabahar and INSTC.

• Regional Summit on Afghanistan: India organized a regional summit on Afghanistan within the SCO framework in November 2021, showcasing regional cooperation in addressing security concerns.

• Virtual Summit with Central Asian Leaders: A virtual summit in 2022 strengthened ties between India and Central Asian nations, leading to the inclusion of Chabahar and Turkmenbashi ports in INSTC.

• Counterterrorism Agenda: India emphasized a robust counterterrorism agenda within the SCO, garnering support from Central Asian nations despite opposition from the China-Pakistan axis.

• Rotating Presidency: India assumed the rotating presidency of the SCO at the 2022 Summit in Samarkand, becoming the current chair and set to host the next Summit of the Council of Heads of State.

• Anti-terrorism Cooperation: Agreements on counterterrorism, security cooperation, and defence between India and the Central Asian Regions showcase the deep inroads made by New Delhi through the SCO.

• Against Chinese aggression: India has used the SCO forum to raise the issue of Chinese ingress and the belligerent approach towards its neighbours. New Delhi has stressed a “respect for territorial integrity” under the SCO’s “Shanghai Spirit”.

Way Forward

• Connectivity Emphasis: Use the SCO platform to champion connectivity projects that enhance regional trade and infrastructure development.

• Security: Advocate for intelligence sharing and coordinated actions to mitigate the impact of extremism and narcoterrorism. 

• Promotion of 'Shanghai Spirit': Emphasize the importance of the 'Shanghai Spirit' as a guiding principle for SCO, promoting mutual trust, equality, and respect for diverse cultures.

• Addressing Historical Border Issues: Highlight historical border issues, especially regarding Central Asian countries and China, within the SCO framework.

• Challenges with China's Assertiveness: Address concerns regarding assertive actions, such as territorial claims, through diplomatic channels within the SCO.

• Multilateral Diplomacy: Utilize diplomatic forums, like the SCO foreign ministers’ meeting, to express concerns and seek resolutions to bilateral issues.

As an emerging power in the current multipolar global order, India can use the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to protect, promote, and project its geostrategic and geoeconomic interests. The SCO is also a platform for India to reaffirm its commitment to revive and deepen its centuries-old civilisational, spiritual, and cultural ties with other member countries.

Tags:
Polity

Keywords:
SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANISATION SCO multilateral organisation SECURE INSTC Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure RATS Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India TAPI Iran-Pakistan-India pipelines. China India Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Russia Pakista

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 2

Topics:
Bilateral and Multilateral Relations