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ISC Explains- SCO Islamabad Summit 2024

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Inspiration Study Circle Explained: SCO Islamabad Summit 2024

ISC Explains- SCO Islamabad Summit 2024

The SCO Islamabad Summit 2024 was the 23rd annual Council of Heads of Government (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation held between 15 and 16 October 2024 in Islamabad, Pakistan.

The summit saw participation from the following SCO member states, observer states, and guests:

Member States:

  1. Belarus – Prime Minister of Belarus Roman Golovchenko
  2. China– Premier of the State Council Li Qiang
  3. India – Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar
  4. Iran – Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade Mohammad Atabek
  5. Kazakhstan – Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Oljhas Bektenov
  6. Kyrgyzstan – Ministers Cabinet Chairman Akylbek Zhaparov
  7. Pakistan – Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif
  8. Russia – Prime Minister of Russia Mikhail Mishustin
  9. Tajikistan – Prime Minister of Tajikistan Kokhir Rasulzoda
  10. Uzbekistan – Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov

Observer state:

Mongolia – Prime Minister of Mongolia Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai

Invited guests:

  1. Turkmenistan– Deputy Chairman of Cabinet of Ministers Rashid Meredov
  2. SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming
  3. SCO RATS Executive Committee Director Ruslan Mirzayev
  4. SCO Business Council Chairman of the Board Atif Ikram Shaikh
  5. SCO Interbank Union Chairman of the Council Marat Yelibayev

The Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar thanked his counterpart, Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, and the people of Pakistan for his warm reception. He acknowledged the significance of his meetings, including face-to-face discussions with Dar during the summit.

The summit’s agenda focused on enhancing regional cooperation in various fields, including economy, trade, environment, sociology, and culture. Important discussions were expected on regional security, economic cooperation, and counterterrorism. Leaders reviewed the SCO’s performance and made key organizational decisions to enhance collaboration among member countries.

History and Organization of SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization)

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is an Eurasian political, economic, international security, and defense organization established by China and Russia in 2001. It is the world’s largest regional organization in terms of geographic scope and population, covering approximately 24% of the area of the world (65% of Eurasia)[3] and 42% of the world population. 

The SCO is the successor to the Shanghai Five, formed in 1996 between the People’s Republic of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan.[4] In June 2001, the leaders of these nations and Uzbekistan met in Shanghai to announce a new organization with deeper political and economic cooperation. In June 2017, it expanded to eight states, with India and Pakistan. Iran joined the group in July 2023, and Belarus in July 2024. Several countries are engaged as observers or dialogue partners.

The SCO is governed by the Heads of State Council (HSC), its supreme decision-making body, which meets once a year. The organization also has a Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS).

The Secretariat of the SCO, headquartered in Beijing, China, is the primary executive body of the organization. It serves to implement organizational decisions and decrees, drafts proposed documents (such as declarations and agendas), functions as a document depository for the organization, arranges specific activities within the SCO framework, and promotes and disseminates information about the SCO. The SCO Secretary-General is elected to a three-year term. Zhang Ming of China became the current Secretary-General on 1 January 2022.

The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) Executive Committee, headquartered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, is a permanent organ of the SCO which serves to promote cooperation of member states against the 3 evils of terrorism, separatism and extremism.

The Director of the SCO RATS Executive Committee is elected to a three-year term. Ruslan Mirzaev of Uzbekistan became the current Director on 1 January 2022. Each member state also sends a permanent representative to RATS.

The official languages of the SCO are Chinese and Russian.

Key Takeaways for India

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar traveled to Islamabad for the meeting, the first such visit in nine years.

The meeting saw some cautious movement on India-Pakistan ties, while India remained the only SCO member to not endorse China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Jaishankar also flagged India’s concerns about China and Pakistan in veiled references. Jaishankar and his Pakistani counterpart Muhammad Ishaq Dar, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, spoke twice in less than 24 hours.

  1. Jaishankar congratulated Pakistan on its chairmanship of the SCO and called for unity in addressing global challenges, including economic disruption, climate change, and health crises.
  2. Explored the idea of resuming some form of cricketing tiesbetween the two countries. Sources underlined that these conversations are preliminary, but the talks open a window and a possible first step could be the Champions Trophy being hosted by Pakistan next February.
  3. In his address, Jaishankar listed the key challenges that the SCOwas committed to combating — terrorism, separatism, and extremism.
  4. Emphasis on cooperation based on mutual respect and sovereign equality and recognizing territorial integrity and sovereignty. It must be built on genuine partnerships, not unilateral agendas.

Challenges identified during the Summit

  1. The Belt and Road Initiative: China’s President Xi Jinping announced the ‘Belt’ during his visits to Kazakhstan in 2013. The ‘Belt’ plan was to revitalize a series of trading and infrastructure routes between Asia and Europe. Connectivity through Central Asia was a key element of the initiative. However, India has always opposed the BRI on grounds of territorial integrity and sovereignty, as it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. New Delhi has also highlighted that countries in which BRI projects are built risk falling into China’s debt trap. Pakistan, meanwhile, is an enthusiastic supporter of BRI, as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a key part of BRI, envisages significant infrastructure development in the country. At the current meeting, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifsaid the project should not be looked at through “a narrow political prism”. 
  2. Trade Protectionism and Sanctions: The SCO meeting saw criticism of “unilateral sanctions” that Western nations have imposed on members like Russia and Iran. Sanctions on Iran and China affect the capabilities of smaller, needier nations to trade with them, as they fear a backlash from the US and other Western countries. Pakistan is a prime example.

India and its SCO Membership

India became a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on June 9, 2017, during the SCO Summit held in Astana, Kazakhstan. Along with India, Pakistan also became a full member of the SCO at the same time, expanding the organization’s membership to include both South Asian countries. Prior to becoming full members, India and Pakistan had held the status of Observer in the SCO since 2005.

India’s engagement with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) dates back to 2005 when it was granted Observer status in the organization. Here is a brief history of India’s involvement with the SCO:

  1. Observer Status (2005-2017):
    • In 2005, India, along with Pakistan, was granted Observer status in the SCO.
    • As an Observer, India participated in SCO meetings, summits, and activities, contributing to discussions on various regional and global issues.
  2. Full Membership (2017 – Present):
    • In June 2017, India, along with Pakistan, became a full member of the SCO during the SCO Summit held in Astana, Kazakhstan.
    • This marked a significant step in India’s engagement with the organization, allowing it to participate more actively in SCO activities and initiatives.
  3. Active Participation:
    • Since becoming a full member, India has actively participated in various SCO activities, including joint military exercises, counterterrorism initiatives, economic cooperation forums, and cultural exchanges.
    • India has also engaged in bilateral and multilateral discussions within the SCO framework to address regional security challenges, promote economic cooperation, and enhance cultural ties.
  4. Focus Areas:
    • India’s engagement with the SCO has focused on areas such as counterterrorism cooperation, regional security, economic development, connectivity projects, and cultural exchanges.
    • India has utilized the SCO platform to strengthen its ties with Central Asian countries and enhance its presence in the Eurasian region.
  5. Commitment to SCO Objectives:
    • India has reiterated its commitment to the principles and objectives of the SCO, including promoting mutual trust, respect for sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, and cooperation in various fields for the collective benefit of member states.

Overall, India’s journey within the SCO has evolved from being an Observer to a full member, reflecting its growing engagement with the organization and its commitment to enhancing regional cooperation and stability in the Eurasian region.

India’s membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) provides a range of benefits across political, economic, security, and cultural dimensions. Here are some key benefits of SCO membership for India:

  1. Regional Cooperation: India’s membership in the SCO enhances its engagement with Central Asian countries and promotes regional cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, and connectivity.
  2. Counterterrorism Cooperation: The SCO serves as a platform for cooperation in counterterrorism efforts, intelligence sharing, and joint military exercises, which are crucial for India’s national security interests.
  3. Economic Opportunities: Membership in the SCO opens up economic opportunities for India through enhanced trade relations, access to new markets, and collaboration on regional economic development projects.
  4. Energy Security: The SCO provides a forum for discussions on energy security and cooperation, which is important for India as it seeks to diversify its energy sources and ensure a stable energy supply.
  5. Cultural Exchanges: India’s participation in SCO cultural events promotes people-to-people exchanges, enhances cultural understanding, and strengthens ties with member countries.
  6. Multilateral Diplomacy: SCO membership allows India to engage in multilateral diplomacy and play a more active role in shaping regional and global agendas on issues such as security, trade, and environment.
  7. Regional Stability: India’s involvement in the SCO contributes to regional stability by fostering dialogue, cooperation, and confidence-building measures among member states.
  8. Access to Resources: SCO membership provides India with access to the organization’s resources, expertise, and networks, which can be beneficial for addressing common challenges and pursuing shared objectives.

The Road Ahead for India at SCO

For India, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) presents a valuable platform for enhancing regional cooperation, addressing common challenges, and promoting its interests in the Eurasian region. Moving forward, India can focus on several key areas to further strengthen its engagement with the SCO:

  1. Enhanced Economic Cooperation:
    • India can work towards deepening economic cooperation within the SCO framework by promoting trade and investment, exploring opportunities for joint infrastructure projects, and leveraging the SCO platform to enhance connectivity with Central Asian countries.
  2. Counterterrorism and Security Cooperation:
    • India should continue to collaborate with SCO member states on counterterrorism efforts, intelligence sharing, and joint exercises to address security challenges in the region. Strengthening security cooperation can help in combating transnational threats effectively.
  3. Cultural Exchanges and People-to-People Contacts:
    • India can further promote cultural exchanges, educational programs, and tourism initiatives within the SCO to enhance mutual understanding and foster closer ties between peoples of member states.
  4. Engagement in Regional Initiatives:
    • India can actively participate in regional initiatives led by the SCO, such as energy cooperation, environmental protection, disaster management, and healthcare cooperation, to contribute to regional stability and development.
  5. Promotion of Sustainable Development Goals:
    • India can align its priorities with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the SCO and collaborate with member states to achieve common objectives related to poverty alleviation, sustainable development, and inclusive growth.
  6. Diplomatic Engagement and Multilateral Initiatives:
    • India should continue to engage in multilateral diplomacy within the SCO framework, advocating for its interests, promoting regional peace and stability, and contributing to the organization’s objectives through active participation in various working groups and forums.
  7. Addressing Regional Challenges:
    • India can play a constructive role in addressing regional challenges such as extremism, drug trafficking, cyber threats, and climate change through coordinated efforts with other SCO member states.

By focusing on these areas and leveraging the opportunities provided by the SCO, India can further enhance its role within the organization, strengthen regional cooperation, and contribute to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Eurasian region.

Disclaimer: The information for the above article is taken from: Indian Express and Wikipedia.

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