Context: At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao (China), India declined to sign a joint statement over diluted language on terrorism, as it did not mention the Pahalgam attack but included militant activities in Balochistan.
Relevance of the topic:
Prelims: Key facts about Shanghai Cooperation Organisation; Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure.
Mains: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation- Significance & Challenges.
About Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
- SCO is a prominent intergovernmental organisation that focuses on political, economic, and security-related cooperation among its member states.
- Founded: SCO was officially established on June 15, 2001, in Shanghai, China.
- Predecessor: It evolved from the "Shanghai Five" group, which was formed in 1996 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan to address border security issues.
- Expansion: Uzbekistan joined the group in 2001, leading to the formation of the SCO. India and Pakistan became full members in 2017, expanding the organisation's reach in South Asia.
- Membership:
- 10 Full Members: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Iran and Belarus.
- Observer States: Afghanistan, Mongolia are observer states.
- Dialogue Partners: SCO also has several dialogue partners, including Turkey, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Azerbaijan, Armenia.
Objectives:
- Security Cooperation: SCO primarily focuses on addressing regional security issues, combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism.
- Economic Cooperation: It promotes economic cooperation, including trade, investment, energy partnerships, and infrastructure development.
- Cultural Exchange: The SCO fosters cultural and humanitarian exchanges among member states to promote mutual understanding and trust.
Structure of SCO:
- Council of Heads of State: The highest decision-making body in the SCO, which meets annually to discuss and set the organisation's agenda.
- Council of Heads of Government: Focuses on economic and trade cooperation and also meets annually.
- Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS): Headquartered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, RATS coordinates efforts to combat terrorism, separatism, and extremism.
Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS):
- RATS is a specialised permanent organ of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) that focuses on combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism within the member states.
- Established: RATS was established in 2004 as part of the SCO's broader efforts to address security challenges in the region.
- Mandate and Objectives:
- Counter-Terrorism: The primary mandate of RATS is to coordinate efforts among SCO member states to combat terrorism, which includes sharing intelligence, conducting joint operations, and enhancing legal frameworks.
- Counter-Separatism: RATS also focuses on preventing and combating separatist movements that threaten the territorial integrity of member states.
- Counter-Extremism: The organisation works to curb the spread of extremist ideologies that could lead to violence or destabilisation in the region.
Significance for India
SCO plays a significant role in the Eurasian region, with member states controlling a vast area, rich in natural resources, and a large population. India’s security, geopolitical, strategic and economic interests are closely intertwined with developments in the Central Asian region.
- Energy Security: Central Asian region is richly endowed with energy resources which India is trying to gain access to through Chabahar port construction in Iran and construction of International North-South Transport Corridor.
- Economic Growth: SCO has high economic potential because 40% of the world's population lives in its countries, and they produce more than 22% of global GDP, that is by 2025, expected to reach 38-40%.
- Platform for Dialogue: SCO provides a platform for its members to engage in dialogue on regional and global issues, contributing to peace and stability in the region.
- Security Cooperation: RATS is viewed by India as a platform to access intelligence and information and as a solution to regional security cooperation as SCO remains committed to countering international terrorism, drug trafficking and resolving conflict in Afghanistan.
- Gateway to Eurasia: India’s membership in the SCO is an opportunity for India to engage the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) , thereby Eurasian market.
- Connect to Central Asia: SCO is a potential platform to advance India’s Connect Central Asia policy.
- Balancing Power: SCO is seen as a counterbalance to Western alliances, particularly NATO, and has strengthened ties between China and Russia. SCO membership also bolsters India’s status as a major Pan-Asian player, which is boxed in the South Asian paradigm.
- Value alignment: “Shanghai spirit” emphasises harmony, non-interference in others’ internal affairs, and non-alignment - values that India has always cherished and upheld.
- Forum for bilateral cooperation with China: It is yet another opening, like the BRICS summit last year, to bring down tensions, and ahead of the next informal summit in October in India.
- Platform for India to engage Pakistan: In the absence of the SAARC summit, the SCO summit gives an opportunity for Indian and Pakistani leaders to meet informally, on the sidelines and to engage in anti- terrorism cooperation. Thus, SCO shall provide a platform to resolve their differences.
Challenges for India in SCO:
- Dominance of China and Russia: Russia and China as a co-founder of the SCO are the dominant powers in the groupings, thus limiting India’s ability to assert itself.
- China’s Belt and Road Initiative: All group members except India have endorsed China’s BRI initiative. India on the other hand has repeatedly opposed China’s Belt and Road Initiative citing sovereignty issues arising out of CPEC.
- India-Pakistan rivalry: India and Pakistan are in continuous confrontation that makes it difficult to adhere to the idea of “good-neighbourliness” prescribed in Article 1 of the SCO charter.
- Definition of Terrorism: India’s definition of terrorism is different from the definition of SCO under RATS. For SCO, terrorism coincides with regime destabilization, whereas for India it is related to state- sponsored cross border terrorism.
SCO is part of India’s stated policy of pursuing “multi-alignments.” Hence, India must continue to look for positive engagement with the member nations of this organisation.