TOPIC- VIRTUAL SCO SUMMIT REFLECTS DIMINISHING RETURNS TO INDIA?

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THE CONTEXT: The 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit was held in a virtual format on July 4, 2023, hosted by India. The summit was attended by the leaders of all SCO member states and they discussed a range of issues. However, the virtual format of the summit raised questions on the relevance of SCO to India. This write up discusses these aspects in detail from the UPSC perspective.

SCO: THE BASICS

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a Eurasian political, economic, international security, and defence organisation established in 2001. Its members are:

ISSUES DISCUSSED DURING THE SUMMIT

TERRORISM

• In order to promote peace in the region and around the world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a strong call to action to all SCO members.

REGIONAL SECURITY

• The SCO leaders discussed the security situation in the region and agreed to work together to maintain peace and stability. They also discussed the need to address the challenges posed by the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE FROM SCO

• In PM Modi’s speech, he highlighted important initiatives and conclaves that have been organised to tap into the talent of SCO youth. Platforms such as the Young Scientist Conclave, Authors Conclave, Startup Forum, and Youth Council were discussed.

FIVE PILLARS OF COLLABORATION WITHIN THE SCO

• The PM went into more detail about how India contributed to the development of the SCO’s five pillars of cooperation. He listed five pillars: youth empowerment, traditional medicine, startups and innovation, digital inclusion, and shared Buddhist heritage.

BHASHINI, AN AI-POWERED LANGUAGE PLATFORM FROM INDIA, AT SCO

• Additionally, PM Modi discussed how the language barrier affects the operation of multi-national platforms like SCO and how Bhashini, an AI-based language platform developed in India, can help remove the barrier. He claimed that Bhashini may serve as an illustration of inclusive growth and digital technologies.

FOOD, FUEL, AND FERTILISERS

• They pose a tremendous challenge to the entire world, which is currently beset by conflicts, tensions, and epidemics. Prime Minister Modi noted this in his opening statement. He urged concerted action to address such issues.

OUTCOMES OF THE SUMMIT

NEW DELHI DECLARATION

• The declaration aims at fighting and countering terrorism.
• Member states reaffirmed that the SCO is not directed against other states and international organisations.
• The Member States supported the prohibition of all weapons in outer space and stress the need for strict adherence to the current legal system, which only permits peaceful uses of space.
• Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan support China’s Belt and Road Initiative, focusing on joint implementation and linking Eurasian Economic Union construction.
• Declaration of 2024 as the year of Environment was also a major step in the New Delhi declaration as it supports India’s stand in its global environment stance.

IRAN’S MEMBERSHIP

• Iran was formally admitted as the ninth member of the SCO.
• This expansion of the SCO’s membership is seen as a significant development, as it brings Iran into a multilateral forum with China, Russia, and other major powers in the region.

JOINT STATEMENTS ON COOPERATION IN COUNTERING RADICALISATION AND DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

• The SCO leaders also adopted two joint statements on cooperation in countering radicalisation and digital transformation.
• These statements are seen as important steps in the SCO’s efforts to address the challenges posed by these two emerging threats.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RECENT SUMMIT

• The summit saw the expansion of the SCO’s membership with the invitation of Iran to join the organisation. This expanded the SCO’s reach into the Middle East and gave the organisation a greater say in regional affairs.
• The summit adopted a number of important declarations and agreements, including the Declaration on the Year of Environment, SCO 2023, and the Agreement on Cooperation in Countering Radicalization. These declarations and agreements will help to guide the SCO’s work in the coming years.
• The rise of China and India as global powers. Both countries are members of the SCO, and they are playing an increasingly important role in the organisation.
• The growing threat of terrorism and extremism in the region. The SCO has been active in combating terrorism and extremism, and it has played a key role in stabilising the region.

VIRTUAL SUMMIT AND THE DIMINISHING RETURNS

The questions of the virtual summit and the less relevant to the SCO were raised quite often, which was addressed by the Vinay Kwatra, India’s Foreign Secretary, in his press briefing. India held over 134 meetings and events during its presidency; the meeting not only discussed the political matters but also the economic, cultural and security questions. There were numerous initiatives taken during the India’s presidency (see the box below), which shows the relevance of SCO to India.

Howsoever, the offline and in-person meeting could have been a better option, as it explores and provides significant opportunities for bilateral talks, holding major discussions of political, economic and cultural questions and will also support India’s role at the global table of diplomacy.

POSSIBLE REASONS FOR THE VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF SCO

Though Indian government did not give any specific reason for the hoisting the meeting virtually, but let’s have a look at the possibilities:

• The political situation: The reservation of nations for sitting with each other is a major reason for holding a virtual summit.
• The global order: The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the situation of Afghanistan and Pakistan’s involvement in it and numerous different global events are limiting global leaders to full-fledged and in-person holding of these events.
• Convenience at perusal: Online and digital conferences have multiple benefits, it saves time of travel, saving the cost of travelling, security and lodging; it also does not disturb the schedule of statesmen and leaders.

Initiatives taken by India during its SCO presidency

• SCO Film Festival
• SCO Millet Food Festival
• SCO Cultural Showcase at Suraj Kund Mela
• SCO Tourism Mart
• Conference on Shared Buddhist Heritage
• B2B Conference on Traditional Medicine
• SCO International Conference of Think Tanks

The theme of the SCO Summit coined by the Indian Government

• SECURE

○   Security

○   Economic development

○   Connectivity

○   Unity

○   Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity

○   Environmental protection.

Five Pillars of SCO established by India:

• Startups and Innovation
• Traditional Medicine
• Youth Empowerment
• Digital Inclusion
• Shared Buddhist Heritage

SIGNIFICANCE OF SCO FOR INDIA

• India as Host: It was the first time that India had hosted the summit. This can be a sign of India’s growing importance in the SCO and in the region as a whole.
• Security: The SCO is a powerful security alliance that can help to deter and counter threats to India’s security. The SCO has been active in combating terrorism and extremism, and it has played a key role in stabilising the region.
• Economic cooperation: The SCO is promoting economic cooperation among its member states, and this is helping to boost economic growth in the region. India is looking to expand its trade and investment ties with the SCO countries, and the SCO can help to facilitate this.
• Political influence: The SCO is a growing political influence in the region. India is looking to play a more active role in regional affairs, and the SCO can help to achieve this.
• Soft power: The SCO can help India to project its soft power in the region. The hegemony can help India in better diplomacy and achieving national interest without resorting to hard power.

KEY CONCERNS NOT ADDRESSED BY THE SUMMIT

• The situation in Afghanistan: The situation in Afghanistan remains unstable, and there is a risk of a resurgence of terrorism in the region. The SCO has not yet taken any concrete steps to address the situation in Afghanistan.
• The conflict in Ukraine: The conflict in Ukraine has had a significant impact on the global economy, and there are concerns about its impact on the SCO region. The SCO has not yet taken a clear position on the conflict in Ukraine.

CHALLENGES TO SCO AS AN ORGANISATION

• Differing interests and priorities of member states: The SCO member states have different political, economic, and security interests. For example, India and Pakistan have a long-standing rivalry. These different interests can make it difficult for the SCO to reach a consensus on important issues.
• Territorial Disputes: Some member states have longstanding territorial disputes, such as India and Pakistan, over Kashmir. These disputes can escalate tensions and complicate cooperation within the organisation, particularly when they spill over into SCO discussions.
• Expanding Membership: The SCO has considered expanding its membership to include other countries. However, expanding the organisation comes with challenges related to maintaining cohesion, managing differing interests, and accommodating new members’ priorities.
• Bilateral Tensions: Despite being a regional organisation, bilateral tensions between member states, such as those between India and Pakistan or China and India, can spill over into the SCO’s functioning and discussions, diverting attention from its primary goals.

THE WAY FORWARD:

• Enhanced Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution: Facilitate regular dialogue among member states to address bilateral and regional issues. Establish a mechanism for peaceful resolution of territorial disputes and conflicts, with a focus on building trust and confidence.
• Common Security Strategy: Develop a comprehensive and shared security strategy to counter terrorism, extremism, and separatism effectively. Strengthen intelligence-sharing and joint operations to tackle transnational security threats.
• Economic Integration and Development: Foster economic cooperation by promoting trade, investment, and infrastructure development among member states. Establish a dedicated economic commission within the SCO to coordinate economic initiatives and resolve trade-related issues.
• Cultural and Educational Exchanges: Encourage people-to-people exchanges, cultural interactions, and educational collaborations among member states. Create joint programs to promote cultural understanding and awareness among diverse populations.
• Institutional Strengthening: Enhance the SCO’s institutional capacity by allocating resources for the effective implementation of initiatives and programs. Establish working groups and task forces to focus on specific areas of cooperation, such as counter-terrorism, economic development, and environmental protection.
• Engagement with Observers and Dialogue Partners: Strengthen engagement with observer states and dialogue partners to expand the SCO’s influence and address common concerns. Collaborate with international organisations to leverage their expertise and resources.

THE CONCLUSION: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) stands as a unique platform in the Eurasian region, encompassing a diverse group of member states with varied interests and historical backgrounds. Since its inception, the SCO has traversed a complex journey marked by both achievements and challenges. It has demonstrated its potential to promote regional stability, facilitate economic cooperation, and address security threats through dialogue and joint efforts.

Mains Questions:

1. Critically analyse the outcome of the recently held SCO summit hosted by India. Do you think that the virtual mode of the summit reflects the dilution of the significance of SCO to India? Explain.
2. In the backdrop of global governing institutions losing their relevance, discuss the significance of SCO.