Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)

Why in the News?

The 24th summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) took place in Astana, Kazakhstan, and was notable for several key reasons:

• It adopted the Astana Declaration.
• It was the first SCO summit to be attended by the UN Secretary-General.
• Significant initiatives and agreements were announced.

Key Highlights of the Summit

• Theme: The summit was titled "Strengthening Multilateral Dialogue—Striving Towards a Sustainable Peace and Prosperity," emphasizing the SCO's focus on collaborative and multilateral approaches to regional and global issues.
• Astana Declaration: The declaration reflects the SCO’s commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation and addressing common challenges.
• Program of Cooperation:
• Counter-Terrorism, Separatism, and Extremism (2025-2027): A new program aimed at addressing these critical security threats, reinforcing the SCO’s role in regional stability.
• SCO Anti-Drug Strategy (2024-2029): This strategy aims to combat drug trafficking and related issues, highlighting the organization's ongoing efforts to address illicit drug activities.
• Initiative on World Unity for Just Peace and Harmony: Proposed by Kazakhstan, this initiative focuses on fostering global unity and peaceful coexistence.
• Membership Expansion: Belarus officially became the 10th member of the SCO. This expansion reflects the organization’s growing influence and its appeal to new member states.

SCO: Role in Reshaping the Global Multilateral Order

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has been increasingly pivotal in reshaping global multilateralism by expanding its influence and challenging existing western-dominated structures. Here’s an overview of the SCO’s role and its impact on the global multilateral order:

Global Pivot of the SCO

• Expanding Geographic and Geopolitical Reach: The SCO’s membership, which now includes significant global players like China, Russia, India, and Pakistan, covers approximately 23% of the world’s economic output and 42% of the global population. This expansion helps Moscow and Beijing in advancing their geopolitical interests.
• Strategic Significance: The SCO's reach extends beyond Central Asia, providing a strategic platform for its members to influence global geopolitics and economic dynamics.

Challenging Western Structures

• Alternative Multilateralism: The SCO is positioning itself as an alternative to existing western-led institutions. By integrating countries such as Turkey, a NATO member and SCO dialogue partner, the SCO is attempting to offer a counter-narrative to Western-led multilateral frameworks.
• Geopolitical Realignment: The SCO’s expansion reflects a broader trend of realigning global power structures, challenging the dominance of Western-centric institutions and offering new avenues for international cooperation.

Filling the Security Void

• Addressing Afghanistan's Security Vacuum: Following the NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, the SCO has stepped in to address the security vacuum. The Afghanistan Contact Group (ACG), established by the SCO in 2005, works to maintain regional cooperation and stability in Afghanistan, reflecting the SCO’s role in regional security.
• Regional Stability: The SCO’s involvement in Afghanistan highlights its commitment to addressing regional security issues and filling gaps left by other international actors.

Counter-Terrorism Efforts

• Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS): The SCO has established the RATS to coordinate counter-terrorism efforts among member states. This structure is crucial for managing and mitigating terrorist threats within the SCO's vast and diverse region.
• Collective Security: RATS represents the SCO’s approach to collective security and regional cooperation in combating terrorism and related threats.

Fulfilling China’s Strategic Design

• China’s Leadership: China uses the SCO to showcase its leadership and offer alternatives to Western-dominated institutions. By leveraging the SCO, China positions itself as a champion of the Global South, advocating for the interests of developing countries.
• Countering Western Narratives: The SCO serves as a platform for Russia and China to present counter-narratives to Western policies and institutions, thus providing a broader spectrum of international governance.

Central Asia’s Connectivity Catalyst

• Infrastructure and Connectivity Projects: The SCO plays a significant role in enhancing connectivity and developing infrastructure in Central Asia, a historically isolated region. Key projects include:
• International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC): A major initiative aimed at improving trade routes and transportation between India, Iran, and Russia, enhancing regional connectivity.
• Chabahar Project: A strategic port development project in Iran, aimed at facilitating trade and connectivity between Central Asia and the rest of the world.

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)

Origins and Establishment

• Origins: The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) originated from the "Shanghai Five," a group formed in 1996, consisting of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. This group was established to address security concerns related to extremist religious groups and ethnic tensions that emerged following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
• Establishment: The SCO was formally established on June 15, 2001, in Shanghai, with the addition of Uzbekistan as a sixth member. The organization's membership has since expanded, and it now includes nine member countries: India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Afghanistan and Mongolia hold Observer Status.

Significance of the SCO

• Regional Security Focus: The SCO primarily addresses security issues in Asia and serves as a platform for member states to collaborate on various regional challenges. It is one of the few international organizations with a focus on security issues and consists predominantly of Asian members.
• Counterbalance to Western Influence: Russia and China view the SCO as a counterbalance to the Western-dominated international order. The organization, alongside other groupings like BRICS, seeks to challenge US influence and promote a multipolar world order.
• Economic and Demographic Impact: The SCO represents about 40% of the world's population and member countries collectively contribute over USD 23 trillion to global GDP. This economic and demographic weight makes the SCO a significant player in global affairs.

Relevance of the SCO for India

• Regional Cooperation: For India, SCO membership is an opportunity to strengthen ties with Central Asian countries and improve relations with key regional actors. It facilitates communication and cooperation on common security issues, enhancing India’s strategic engagement in the region.
• Counter-Terrorism: The SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) is crucial for India. RATS assists member countries with counter-terrorism exercises, intelligence sharing, and information on terrorist movements and drug trafficking. This collaboration supports India's efforts to combat terrorism and enhance regional security.

Challenges for India

• Balancing Ties with China and Russia: As an SCO member, India must navigate its complex relationships with China and Russia. The organization’s dynamics often involve balancing India's strategic interests with those of other major members, particularly in areas where India and China have competing interests.
• Managing Relations with Pakistan: The presence of Pakistan in the SCO poses challenges for India. The organization’s structure requires India to engage with Pakistan on regional issues, despite ongoing bilateral tensions.
• Economic and Strategic Interests: India needs to ensure that its participation in the SCO translates into tangible economic benefits. Additionally, maintaining strategic autonomy within the organization while participating in initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) presents a challenge, given India’s concerns over sovereignty and regional influence.
• Increased Bilateral Trade: While the SCO offers opportunities for increasing trade with Central Asian countries, India must work to enhance its economic ties and ensure that its trade interests are effectively represented within the organization.

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO): Challenges and India’s Role

Challenges Facing the SCO

• Afghanistan Policy Fracture:
• Issue: SCO members are increasingly engaging with the Taliban for individual national interests, which risks undermining the collective approach of the SCO in addressing Afghanistan's challenges. This fragmented approach could dilute the effectiveness of the SCO’s collective strategy on Afghanistan.
• India’s Position: India supports an “Afghan-led, Afghan-owned, and Afghan-controlled” process for peace and reconciliation. The fragmented engagement by SCO members contrasts with this doctrine, posing a challenge for India’s alignment within the organization.
• China’s Multilateral Power Play:
• Issue: China aims to use the SCO as a platform to advance its regional geoeconomic and strategic interests, potentially transforming the organization into a China-led multilateral forum.
• Example: Efforts to promote the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) within the SCO framework could enhance China’s regional influence at the expense of other members' interests.
• Identity Crisis:
• Issue: The SCO faces criticism for lacking executive authority and being perceived as a forum for discussion rather than effective decision-making. This has led to comparisons with the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), which is seen as a platform for mere announcements without substantial outcomes.
• Diverse Interests:
• Issue: The diverse interests of member states make consensus-building challenging. For instance, India's declaration of Pakistan as the “epicenter of terrorism” contrasts with the SCO’s broader approach, complicating unified positions on key issues.

India’s Role and Priorities within the SCO

• Membership and Engagement:
• Observer Status: India was granted observer status in 2005.
• Full Membership: India became a full member in 2017.
• Recent Developments: In the 2024 SCO summit, India’s External Affairs Minister met with his Chinese counterpart to emphasize the importance of mutual respect, sensitivity, and interests in the India-China relationship.
• Balancing Act:
• Summit Participation: India’s Prime Minister did not attend the 24th SCO summit in Astana. India also hosted the SCO meeting virtually in 2023 under its first-ever SCO presidency, reflecting a strategic approach to participation.
• Development Focus: India aims to shift the SCO’s focus toward development rather than an anti-Western agenda. This involves balancing China’s influence and promoting a more inclusive and development-oriented agenda.
• Strategic Priorities:
• Infrastructure: India uses the SCO platform to improve relations with Central Asian Republics (CARs) and counterbalance Chinese dominance in regional connectivity projects.
• Counter-Terrorism: A major priority for India is addressing terrorism and extremist groups, particularly concerning its northwest border. The SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) supports this objective.
• Incorporation of Indian Themes: India’s priorities, such as themes from the G20 like “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” the startup forum, and the Life for the Environment (LiFE) initiative, have been incorporated into SCO declarations.
• SECURE Vision:
• India’s Vision: India’s engagement with the SCO is guided by the SECURE framework, which stands for:
• Security: Ensuring regional security and counter-terrorism.
• Economic Cooperation: Promoting economic development and trade.
• Connectivity: Enhancing regional infrastructure and connectivity.
• Unity: Fostering unity among member states.
• Respect for Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity: Upholding national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• Environmental Protection: Addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainability.

Conclusion

To remain relevant and effective, the SCO must navigate several key challenges:

• Balancing Expansion with Focus: The organization needs to balance its expansion with a focus on regional issues and collective approaches to challenges like Afghanistan.
• Fostering Consensus: Strengthening mechanisms for consensus-building is crucial for addressing the diverse interests of member states.
• Moderating China’s Dominance: The SCO must manage China’s influence to prevent the organization from becoming a mere platform for Chinese strategic interests.

India’s role in the SCO is characterized by a balancing act between advancing its priorities and navigating the complex dynamics within the organization. The SCO’s future effectiveness will depend on its ability to address these challenges while aligning with its members' shared goals and interests.