Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting

Syllabus: GS2/IR

Context

• India has refused to sign a joint declaration at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao, China.

About

• India is not satisfied with the language of the joint document and there was no mention of cross-border terrorist activities specially recent Pahalgam Terror attack.
• The refusal to endorse the document resulted in the conclave ending without a joint communique. 

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)

• Shanghai Five emerged in 1996 from a series of border demarcation and demilitarization talks between 4 former USSR republics and China.
  • Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan were members of the Shanghai Five.
  • With the accession of Uzbekistan to the group in 2001, the Shanghai Five was renamed the SCO.
• Objective: To enhance regional cooperation for efforts to curb terrorism, separatism, and extremism in the Central Asian region.
• Members: China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran, Belarus and the four Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan.
  • India became a full member in 2017 and assumed the rotating chairmanship in 2023.
  • Member countries contribute around 30 per cent of the global GDP and about 40 percent of the world’s population. 
• Observer status: Afghanistan and Mongolia.
• Language: The SCO’s official languages are Russian and Chinese.
• Structure: The supreme decision-making body of the SCO is the Council of Heads of States (CHS) which meets once a year.
  • The Organization has 2 standing bodies — the Secretariat in Beijing and the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in Tashkent. 

Significance for India

• Regional Security: The SCO serves as a platform for addressing security concerns, including terrorism, separatism, and extremism, which are critical issues for India.
  • Through SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), India collaborates on intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism efforts.
• Balancing China and Pakistan: While both are SCO members, the forum allows India to assert its position and prevent the formation of anti-India narratives.
• Energy Security: Central Asia is rich in oil, gas, and uranium. SCO membership allows India to strengthen energy ties with these countries.
• Economic Cooperation: The organization facilitates economic collaboration among member states, which enhance trade and investment opportunities for India, particularly with Central Asian countries.
• Central Asia: The SCO is especially important for India because its membership and focus emphasize Central Asia—a region where India is keen to ramp up ties but faces an inherent constraint with its outreach. 

Challenges

• China-Pakistan Axis: The strong partnership between China and Pakistan within the SCO complicates India’s strategic positioning, as at times it limits India’s influence in regional security discussions.
• Geopolitical Tensions: Ongoing border disputes and geopolitical tensions with China and Pakistan spill over into SCO discussions, making it difficult for India to engage constructively.
• Focus on Security over Economic Development: The SCO’s primary focus on security issues sometimes overshadow economic and developmental cooperation, which are crucial for India’s interests in the region.
• Institutional limitations: Decision-making within SCO is consensus-based, slowing progress on key issues.

Conclusion

• SCO is a strategic platform for India to engage with Eurasian powers, promote regional stability, secure economic and energy interests, and enhance counter-terrorism cooperation. 
• Despite challenges, India uses SCO to promote its vision of “Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)” and as a counterbalance to Western alliances.

Source: AIR