Sanghai Cooperation Organization
International Relation
- Founded: 2001 in Shanghai
- Predecessor: Shanghai Five (China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan)
- Charter Signed: 2002 | Came into force: 2003
- Headquarters: Beijing
- Official Languages: Russian and Chinese
- Main Focus Areas: Regional security, anti-terrorism, separatism, and extremism
Member Countries (9)
- Founding members: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
- New members: India, Pakistan (2017) and Iran (2021)
*bjectives of SCO
- Foster mutual trust, good-neighbourliness and friendship among member states
- Promote cooperation in politics, economy, culture, education, energy, transport, tourism, environment, research and technology
- Maintain peace and stability in the region
- Support a democratic, fair and rational international order
Institutional Structure
- Heads of State Council (HSC)
- Supreme decision-making body
- Meets annually to set policy direction
- Heads of Government Council (HGC)
- Discusses economic cooperation and budgetary issues
- Council of Foreign Ministers
- Handles current and pressing issues
- SCO Secretariat (Beijing)
- Provides administrative and analytical support
- RATS (Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure) – Tashkent
- Focus on terrorism, separatism, and extremism
Importance of SCO for India
Security & Stability
- Participation in RATS helps India in counterterrorism cooperation
- Helps combat drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and radicalisation
- Collective response platform to threats from Afghanistan and regional extremism
Energy Diplomacy
- Central Asia is rich in oil and gas – useful for energy-deficient India
- Can push forward TAPI and IPI pipelines
- Alternative route to counter China’s energy diplomacy
Trade & Connectivity
- SCO allows direct access to Central Asian markets
- Facilitates India’s Connect Central Asia Policy
- Opportunity to expand pharma, IT, telecom, finance sectors in the region
Geopolitics & Strategic Influence
- Platform to engage Russia, China, and Pakistan simultaneously
- Strengthens India’s footprint in Eurasia
- Counters China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) indirectly
- Supports India’s role as a regional power in extended neighbourhood
Challenges for India in SCO
- Presence of Pakistan can obstruct consensus on key issues
- China-Russia axis dominates SCO – India’s voice may get diluted
- Need for balancing SCO commitments with India’s Western partnerships (e.g., Quad)
- SCO’s general anti-West tone may conflict with India’s global strategic goals
- India’s non-participation in BRI may create friction with SCO’s economic agenda
21st SCO Summit (Dushanbe, 2021)
- Iran admitted as full member
- Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar became Dialogue Partners
- SCO-CSTO Joint Outreach on Afghanistan was held
- India raised concerns over radicalisation and extremism
- Called for inclusive governance and curbing terrorism from Afghan soil
- India emphasized the importance of:
- Transparent and consultative connectivity projects
- Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity
About CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization)**
- A Russia-led military alliance
- Members: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan
- Promotes collective defence among members under threat
Conclusion
- SCO is a valuable platform for regional outreach, but India must tread carefully
- Balancing ties with Russia-China axis and Western allies remains critical
- India’s role in Afghanistan, energy diplomacy, and Central Asian outreach is enhanced
- Need for proactive diplomacy to shape rules, narratives, and norms in the region
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Subject: International Relation
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