Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)

Why in the News?

Iran and Belarus may become the newest members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

AboutShanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)

• The SCO is an eight-member economic and security bloc and has emerged as one of the largest transregional international organisations.
• Permanent members: China, Kazakhstan,Kyrgyzstan,Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan.
• Observer States of SCO: Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia.
• It was founded as Shanghai 5 at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the Presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
• Aim: To establish cooperation between member nations on:
  • Security-related issues
  • Resolving border disagreements
  • Military cooperation
• Permanent Bodies of SCO: The SCO Secretariat based in Beijing and Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS).
• Official Languages: Russian and Chinese.
• India and Pakistan became its permanent members in 2017.

Importance of SCO for India

• SCO is seen as an eastern counterbalance to NATO. With India being its member, it will allow the country to push effective action in combating terrorism and on issues related to security.
• With the presence of India and China, the world’s most populous countries, SCO is now the organisation that has the largest population coverage.
• It also bolsters India’s status as a major pan-Asian player, which is boxed in the South Asian paradigm.
• India’s membership to SCO will strengthen her position in Central Asia.
• It will also help the India’s aim to strengthen regional integration, promote connectivity and stability across borders.

Challenge

• Pakistan’s presence and the dominance of China in the SCO limit India to a secondary role in the organisation.
  • For Example: Due to Pakistan- China in the SCO, India’s ability to push the issue of terrorism gets limited, as Pakistan itself has indulged in a major proxy war with India.

Way Forward

• Positive outcomes from SCO will depend on how Indian diplomacy deals with its rivals in SCO.
• India will have to adopt a careful approach while engaging in the SCO.
• It has to take care of its interests and remain neutral on issues which are not directly related to it.