Wednesday 12 / February / 2025
New Delhi: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a prominent intergovernmental organization comprising eight countries, has been a beacon of peace, stability, and security in the Eurasian region Since its establishment in 2001 with five original member countries (Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan), later joined by Uzbekistan (in 2001) and India and Pakistan in 2017.
It has four observers. Iran, Belarus, Mongolia and Afghanistan, and six dialogue partners, namely Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Turkiye.
Representing a significant proportion of the world's population and 30% of global GDP, the SCO has become a crucial platform for India to engage with regional states on a range of global and regional issues, with a focus on regional security, defence, counter-terrorism, and countering illegal drug trade, among others.
As the current presidential holder of the SCO, India has hosted several ministerial-level meetings, including the Foreign Ministers' meeting held on May 5, 2023.
The meeting, which saw the attendance of Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, marked a significant milestone in bilateral relations and covered a range of topics including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, food shortages, terrorism, trade, and connectivity.
In his opening remarks, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar emphasized the need to crack down on terrorism and terror financing, and raised concerns over respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all SCO member states in the context of connectivity projects.
With separate talks held with the foreign ministers of China and Russia, the SCO meeting showcased India's commitment to regional cooperation and stability.
As the incumbent president of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), India has already presided over a series of ministerial-level gatherings, including the Tourism Ministers' meeting held in Varanasi in March 2023.
The Foreign Ministers' meeting held on May 5, 2023 holds a unique significance in light of the ongoing geopolitical turbulence that continues to afflict the world.
The comprehensive discourse touched upon several pressing issues including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the resulting food and energy shortages, the Taliban problem in Afghanistan, terrorism, trade, and connectivity.
During the sidelines of the Foreign Ministers' meeting, India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, held bilateral discussions with both the Chinese and Russian Foreign Ministers.
With the Chinese counterpart, the conversations were centered around resolving outstanding issues, including maintaining peace and stability along their shared borders.
In his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, a comprehensive assessment of their bilateral, multilateral, and global cooperation was conducted.
The attendance of Pakistan's Foreign Minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting marked a significant moment in diplomatic relations, as it marked the first visit by a Pakistani foreign minister to India in about 12 years.
On this historic occasion, the Pakistani foreign minister emphasised that his visit was solely centered on constructive engagement within the SCO framework.
In his opening remarks, India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, brought attention to the ongoing issue of terrorism and terror financing. He firmly that there can never be any justification for terrorism in any form stated, including cross-border terrorism, and called on SCO member countries to take decisive action against non-state actors and terror groups.
He also emphasized the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all SCO member states in the context of connectivity projects.
At the recent meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), India's External
Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, put forth India's priorities for the organization under the
acronym "SECURE".
This encompasses security, economic development, connectivity, unity, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and environmental protection.
With regards to Afghanistan, the EAM expressed India's concern and outlined its priorities, including providing humanitarian aid, supporting an inclusive government, combating drug trafficking and terrorism, and securing the rights of marginalized groups.
India also expressed its active support for the inclusion of Iran and Belarus as full members of the SCO, as well as its long-standing demand for the inclusion of English as an official language of the organization.
In order to keep the SCO relevant in a rapidly changing world, India also pushed for much-needed reforms and modernization of the
organization.
Pakistan raised the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and the abrogation of Article 370.
On the issue of terrorism, Pakistan's Foreign Minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, stated that it should not be used for "diplomatic point scoring", despite the country's own struggles with terrorism.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is widely perceived in the West as a bloc dominated by China and Russia with an anti-Western stance. However, scholars and analysts familiar with the inner workings of the organization view it as a forum where both powers compete for influence. As China continues to extend its reach in Central Asian countries, Russia sees it as a challenge to its own strategic interests in the region and views India's membership as a means of countering China's growing dominance.
For India, SCO offers a platform to strengthen its presence in Eurasia and uphold the principles of multilateralism in global affairs. During its presidency, India has effectively leveraged its position and utilized opportunities to showcase its unique cultural heritage and values, as exemplified by the recent Tourism Ministers' meeting held in Varanasi, which emphasized India's developmental model based on the principles of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" - One Family, One Earth, One Future.
India has been able to utilise the meeting at Varanasi to demonstrate historical and cultural linkages with the SCO members, especially the Central Asian States.
The exchange of Buddhism and Sufism between the two has been a testimony to the historical ties
between the two. Strong linkage between the two regions by way of trade and commerce through the ancient Silk Roads has also been focused upon to deepen further the historical ties that existed between the two regions.
India's commitment to strengthening its relationships with the Central Asian States is evident through the various initiatives and efforts it has undertaken.
The successful conclusion of the first India-Central Asia Summit in 2022 has served as a catalyst for further deepening the ties between the two regions. The various exchange programs, ICCR scholarships, ITEC capacity-building assistance, infrastructure development
projects, joint military exercises and increased investments are testimony to India's relentless pursuit of enhancing cooperation and collaboration with its regional partners.
India's foreign policy agenda of working closely with regional partners to tackle regional and global challenges has been reinforced by its engagement with the Central Asian States.
By taking everyone along in this journey, India is poised to create a future of shared prosperity and stability in the region.
