GS-2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

In News: Territorial integrity to terror, Jaishankar takes swipe at China, Pakistan;EAM Jaishankar attends Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit: What the grouping is, why it matters

1.Discuss the opportunities and challenges that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) presents for India in its engagement with Central Asia and other regional powers. How can India leverage its membership in the SCO to enhance its strategic interests while addressing the complexities of regional geopolitics?

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has emerged as a significant player in the Eurasian geopolitical landscape. Despite lingering bilateral tensions, SCO Summit held recently in Pakistan underscored the organisation’s significance as a platform for regional cooperation.

Opportunities for India:

1. Economic cooperation: The SCO provides a platform for India to enhance trade and investment ties with resource-rich Central Asian countries for energy security.This is crucial for India’s energy security and economic diversification efforts.
2. Strategic connectivity: Initiatives like the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) can facilitate better connectivity between India and Central Asia, helping India circumvent land-based trade routes through Pakistan.
3. Security cooperation: The SCO offers a framework for cooperation on security issues, such as counter-terrorism and border management. This can help India address shared security concerns and maintain regional stability.
4. Geopolitical balance: India can balance its relationships with major powers like China and Russia, countering China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) while asserting its own strategic interests in the region.
5. Cultural and historical ties: The SCO allows India to strengthen cultural connections with Central Asian nations, fostering greater people-to-people contacts that can enhance diplomatic relations over time.

Challenges for India:

1. Internal contradictions : The SCO is a diverse organisation with members having varying interests and priorities.This impedes coherent policy-making and limits effectiveness in addressing regional challenges.
2. Pakistan’s membership: Complicates effective engagement due to ongoing tensions and security challenges.
3. China’s dominance: Raises concerns about India’s strategic autonomy and influence within the SCO.
4. Limited outcomes on security issues: Bilateral disputes, especially with Pakistan, undermines the potential benefits of India’s participation in security dialogues.
5. Inconsistent engagement: Sporadic participation in summits may signal a lack of prioritisation, diminishing influence.
6. Economic rivalries: Competition for influence and resources among member states may create friction affecting collaboration.
7. Geopolitical tensions: Rising tensions between major powers (U.S., Russia, China) could complicate India’s position within the SCO.

Leveraging SCO membership:
To enhance its strategic interests and address the complexities of regional geopolitics, India can:

1. Strengthen bilateral relations: India should strengthen its bilateral relations with individual SCO members, building trust and cooperation on specific issues.
2. Promote economic cooperation: India can actively promote economic cooperation within the SCO, focusing on areas such as trade, investment, and infrastructure development.
3. Engage in security cooperation: India should participate in SCO-led security initiatives, such as counter-terrorism exercises and border management programs.
4. Promote cultural exchange: India can use cultural exchange programs to enhance its understanding of Central Asian cultures and build people-to-people ties.
5. Balance relationships: India should balance its relationships with China and Russia within the SCO, avoiding excessive dependence on either power.

By effectively leveraging its membership in the SCO, India can enhance its strategic interests in Central Asia and other regional powers while contributing to regional stability and prosperity.

PYQ

1. ‘Virus of Conflict is affecting the functioning of the SCO’. In the light of the above statement point out the role of India in mitigating the problems.2023
2. Critically examine the aims and objectives of SCO. What importance does it hold for India? 2021
3. Do you think that BIMSTEC is a parallel organisation like the SAARC? What are the similarities and dissimilarities between the two? How are Indian foreign policy objectives realized by forming this new organisation? 2022
4. How will I2U2 (India, Israel, UAE and USA) grouping transform India’s position in global politics ?2022

Source:

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/everyday-explainers/what-is-shanghai-cooperation-organisation-9432151/
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/territorial-integrity-to-terror-jaishankar-takes-swipe-at-china-pakistan-9624060/