Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) 2022

Why in the News?

Recently, the Prime Minister of India participated in the 22nd SCO Summit 2022 held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Key Points:

Key Highlights of the Summit:

• The Samarkand declaration advocated “commitment to peaceful settlement of differences and disputes between countries through dialogue and consultation”.
• Infrastructure: India urged Shanghai Cooperation Organisation member states to give each other full right to transit, as it would enhance connectivity and help in establishing reliable and resilient supply chains in the region.
• Food Security: As the whole world is facing an unprecedented energy and food crisis, India emphasised the initiative to promote millet and address issues related to food security.
  • In this context, India is trying to popularise millets, as SCO can play a big role in marking 2023 as the International Year of Millets.
• Working Group on Traditional Medicine: World Health Organisation (WHO) opened its Global Center for Traditional Medicines in Gujarat in April 2022.
• Cultural and historical heritage: Varanasi was declared as the SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital for 2022-2023 to promote the rich cultural and historical heritage of the people and the tourism potential of SCO member states.

About Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO):

• The SCO is an eight-member economic and security bloc and has emerged as one of the largest transregional international organisations.
• The SCO Summit 2022 was first held in Shanghai in June 2002.
• Members: China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan
• Observer States of SCO: Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia.
• The last two countries (India and Pakistan) joined as full members in 2017.
• 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.

Importance of SCO for India:

• Shanghai Cooperation Organisation 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.
• SCO membership also bolsters India’s status as a significant pan-Asian player, which is boxed in the South Asian paradigm.
• In the absence of the SAARC summit, the SCO summit allows Indian and Pakistani leaders to meet informally on the sidelines.
• India’s membership in SCO will strengthen her position in Central Asia. 
  • It will also help the country’s aim of regional integration and promote connectivity and stability across borders.
• India can make use of the RATS mechanism for  Counter terrorism.

Challenge:

• The presence of Pakistan 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 walk a thin diplomatic line and 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.
• India needs to ensure the participation of all SCO members including China and Pakistan, despite the tensions, that is scheduled to be held next year in India.

Additional Information:

About Colour Revolution:

• At the SCO summit Chinese President Xi appealed to Russia, India, and other members to cooperate with each other to prevent foreign powers from destabilising their countries by inciting “colour revolutions”.
• Colour revolutions refer to a series of uprisings that first began in former communist nations in Eastern Europe in the early 2000s.
• Protesters often wear a specific colour.

Some of the better known “colour revolutions”: