Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)

Current Context : 23rd SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) Meeting was held in Islamabad, Pakistan.

This summit focused on economic cooperation, trade, counterterrorism, and socio-cultural initiatives. Eight agreements were signed, addressing the SCO budget, operations, and counterterrorism efforts.

India’s Participation: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar represented India, advocating against terrorism, extremism, and separatism. India also reiterated its opposition to China’s Belt and Road Initiative due to sovereignty concerns.

About SCO:

• Establishment: The SCO was founded in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
• Aim : to enhance regional cooperation on security, political, economic, and cultural issues.
• India and Pakistan joined in 2017.​
• Current Members: SCO now includes India, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Iran, and Belarus. Afghanistan and Mongolia hold observer status​
• Headquarter : Beijing, China

SCO Significance for India:

1. Counterterrorism: India uses the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) for intelligence sharing and countering terrorism.
2. Energy Security: SCO members control significant global reserves of oil and gas, important for India’s energy needs.
3. Central Asia Engagement: SCO provides India a platform for its “Connect Central Asia” policy.
4. Balancing Chinese Influence: India seeks to balance Chinese dominance through initiatives like the Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).