Syllabus
GS Paper II – Important International Institutions, agencies and fora – their Structure, Mandate.
Context
Russia’s close ally Belarus officially joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), becoming the tenth member of the regional group.
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)
Introduction
India’s membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) serves as a strategic avenue for deeper engagement with the Eurasian region. The SCO, a regional intergovernmental organization, facilitates cooperation in areas such as security, trade, and cultural exchange among its member states. For India, SCO membership offers opportunities for economic partnerships, counterterrorism efforts, and regional stability. However, India’s participation also faces certain limitations.
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)
- Formation and Membership:
- The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was established in 2001 as a regional alliance.
- Initially known as the Shanghai Five, it included China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.
- Uzbekistan joined in 2001, followed by India and Pakistan in 2017, Iran in 2023, and Belarus in 2024.
- Observers and Dialogue Partners:
- Afghanistan, Belarus, and Mongolia hold observer status within the SCO.
- Dialogue partners include Azerbaijan, Armenia, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
- Objectives and Structure:
- The SCO aims to enhance regional stability, combat terrorism, separatism, and extremism, and promote economic cooperation.
- Its charter emphasizes principles like mutual respect for sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, equality, and mutual benefit.
- The organization comprises two key permanent bodies: the SCO Secretariat in Beijing (handling administrative functions) and the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan (focused on security cooperation and counter-terrorism).
- Decision-making within the SCO follows a consensus-based approach, emphasizing equal partnership among member states.
Conflicts among SCO member countries
- India-China Border Issues:
- Despite multiple rounds of Corps Commander Level Meetings, tensions persist along the India-China border.
- No significant breakthrough has been achieved in easing these tensions.
- India-Pakistan Terrorism Tensions:
- State-sponsored terrorism remains a major point of contention between India and Pakistan.
- Frequent ceasefire violations along the India-Pakistan border add to the concerns.
- Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan Border Disputes:
- Escalating conflicts between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, observed in September and November 2022, pose a regional challenge.
- The instability resulting from this conflict could negatively impact Central Asia and neighboring regions.
- Afghanistan-Pakistan Border Instability:
- Ongoing conflicts between the Taliban-led Afghanistan and Pakistan contribute to an unstable border area.
- The SCO’s primary objective is to promote peace in Eurasia, but its effectiveness in managing intra-state and inter-state conflicts among member states is being closely examined.
Significance of the SCO
- Alternative to Western International Order: The SCO serves as an alternative to Western-dominated international systems. Similar to the BRICS grouping (which includes India, South Africa, and Brazil), the SCO provides a platform for countries to collaborate outside the traditional Western alliances.
- Countering US Influence: The SCO’s recent expansion is tied to worsening relations between the US, Russia, and China. For instance, Iran’s inclusion in the SCO is seen as a move to counter US influence.
- Security Cooperation: The SCO focuses on combating the “three evils” of terrorism, separatism, and extremism. Joint military exercises, intelligence sharing, and coordinated actions against threats are central to its efforts.
- Economic Collaboration: The organization promotes trade and economic cooperation among member states. Initiatives like the SCO Development Bank and the SCO Free Trade Area aim to enhance economic integration.
- Cultural Exchange: The SCO fosters cultural ties through events, educational exchanges, and joint cultural projects, strengthening people-to-people connections among member countries.
- Importance of Central Asian States:
- Connectivity, Resources, and Security: Central Asian states play a crucial role due to their strategic location, abundant resources, and security considerations. New Delhi seeks strong ties with Central Asia but pursues its own framework through the India-Central Asia Summit.
- Eurasian Union and FTA: As an alternative strategy, India may become more active in the Eurasian Union by signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
India’s Entry and its Interests
- Regional Security: By participating in the SCO, India strengthens collaboration on security matters, particularly in countering terrorism and extremism. The organization facilitates intelligence sharing and joint efforts against these threats.
- Economic Opportunities: The SCO provides India with access to the resource-rich Central Asian region, which is vital for energy security and trade. India’s engagement aims to enhance connectivity through initiatives like the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
- 2022 Virtual Summit: This summit paved the way for including Chabahar and Turkmenbashi ports in the INSTC.
- Joint Working Group on Chabahar Port: Formed to boost regional connectivity and trade.
- Geopolitical Influence: SCO membership allows India to play a more prominent role in regional geopolitics. It acts as a counterbalance to China’s influence in the region and strengthens ties with Russia and Central Asian countries.
- Strategic Balancing: India’s active engagement ensures that the SCO remains a non-Western regional forum rather than an anti-West security organization. If India becomes less active, China would dominate economically, affecting India’s interests.
- Cultural and People-to-People Ties: India utilizes the SCO to promote cultural exchanges and enhance its soft power. Initiatives like the SCO Film Festival and academic scholarships foster cultural connections.
- The SCO member states, observers, and partners collectively possess 207 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- Under a rotating initiative, SCO member countries designate one city (from their own countries) as the tourism and cultural capital each year. “Kashi” (Varanasi) is the first cultural capital under this program.
- Energy Security:
- Central Asia holds significant oil and gas reserves, and India seeks to tap into these resources for enhanced energy security.
- The SCO provides a platform for India to engage with energy-rich Central Asian countries and explore cooperation in the energy sector.
- The Samarkand Declaration, signed during the 22nd Summit, emphasizes connectivity—a priority for India—as well as energy and food security.
- Counterterrorism:
- The SCO places strong emphasis on counterterrorism cooperation.
- Given India’s history as a victim of terrorism, it can benefit from the collective efforts of the organization to combat terrorism in the region.
Challenges
- Tensions with Pakistan: The presence of both India and Pakistan in the SCO complicates the organization’s dynamics. Bilateral tensions can sometimes overshadow broader cooperative efforts.
- Balancing Relations: India’s engagement in the SCO requires skillful management of relationships with both Russia and China. Navigating differing interests and strategic priorities poses a challenge.
- China’s Rise:
- China’s ascent increases the likelihood of it becoming the dominant force in inner Asia.
- External pressures from regional powers, including the United States, aim to contain China’s rise and limit its influence in the region.
- Limited Institutional Mechanisms:
- While the SCO has various bodies (such as the Council of Heads of State, the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, and the Council of National Coordinators), these lack formal decision-making and enforcement powers necessary for effective governance.
- The SCO lacks a formal mechanism for resolving disputes between member states.
- Divergent Interests and Disagreements: The SCO includes member states with varying political systems, economic models, and strategic priorities (such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and border infrastructure projects). These differences can lead to internal conflicts and disagreements on issues like economic cooperation and security.
- Limited Geographical Scope: The SCO’s focus is primarily on Eurasia and neighboring regions, limiting its ability to engage with global challenges.
- Western Skepticism and Criticism: Western countries criticize the SCO for its lack of democratic credentials, support for authoritarian regimes, and internal conflicts and border disputes among members.
Way forward
- Enhance Institutional Mechanisms:
- Strengthen decision-making and enforcement powers within existing SCO bodies.
- Establish a formal dispute resolution mechanism to address conflicts among member states.
- Promote Dialogue and Confidence-Building Measures:
- Regular high-level dialogues can help manage tensions between India and Pakistan.
- Confidence-building measures, such as joint military exercises and cultural exchanges, foster trust among member countries.
- Expand Geographical Scope:
- While maintaining its focus on Eurasia, the SCO could engage more actively with global issues.
- Collaborate with other regional organizations to address common challenges beyond its current boundaries.
- Facilitate Economic Integration:
- Encourage trade and investment among member states through initiatives like the SCO Development Bank.
- Promote connectivity projects (such as the INSTC) to enhance economic ties.
- Engage with External Stakeholders:
- Address Western skepticism by transparently communicating the SCO’s goals and actions.
- Seek partnerships with other international organizations to strengthen the SCO’s influence and credibility.
Conclusion
India’s active role within the SCO reflects its significance in shaping regional dynamics. While the organization faces internal contradictions, preventing conflicts among member states remains crucial. China’s influence grows, but Russia and China’s strategic collaboration in Central Asia helps maintain stability. Their partnership serves as a pragmatic approach to safeguarding the region from external interference.
Source: Financial Express
Related PYQ
Critically examine the aims and objectives of SCO. What importance does it hold for India? [UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2021 Mains]
Practice Question
Evaluate the impact of India’s SCO membership on its regional influence and strategic positioning vis-à-vis China and Russia. [250 words]