SHANGHAI
COOPERATION ORGANISATION (SCO) SUMMIT: INTERNATIONAL RELATION
NEWS: External Affairs Mini7ster S.
Jaishankar represented India at the SCO Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan.
WHAT’S
IN THE NEWS?
Shanghai
Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit
About the
SCO:
- New Member:
Belarus joined as the 10th member state.
- History:
Belarus became a dialogue partner in 2010 and an observer state in 2015.
- Foundation:
Established in 2001 with six members.
- Objective:
Enhance regional cooperation to curb terrorism, separatism, and extremism
in Central Asia.
- Members:
China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,
Uzbekistan, Iran.
- Secretariat:
Beijing.
- Languages:
Russian and Chinese.
- Observer States:
Afghanistan and Mongolia.
- UN Observer:
Since 2005.
Significance
of SCO:
- Security Focus:
Addresses security issues in Asia, combating terrorism, separatism, and
extremism.
- Regional Influence:
Acts as a counterbalance to Western-dominated international organizations.
- Expanding Membership:
Belarus's inclusion enhances international status and influence.
- Strategic Counterbalance: Along with BRICS, offers an alternative to US and
Western influence.
Relevance
for India:
- Central Asia Cooperation: Strengthens ties with Central Asian countries.
- Security Collaboration: Utilizes Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) for
counterterrorism.
- Multilateral Engagement: Enhances India's role in regional and global
diplomacy.
Concerns:
- Strained Relationships: Difficulties in managing ties, especially with China
and Pakistan.
- BRI Opposition:
India opposed supporting BRI due to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
(CPEC) through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Way
Ahead:
- Engagement:
Increased interaction with observer states, dialogue partners, and
organizations like the UN.
- Economic Cooperation:
Promote local currency settlements, cooperation on digital currencies, and
establish an SCO development bank for regional growth.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/everyday-explainers/what-is-shanghai-cooperation-organisation-9432151/