21st SCO Summit

• 18 Sep 2021

Why in News

The 21^st Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State was held recently via video Conferencing in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

• At the meet the focus was primarily on the ground situation in Afghanistan and its global repercussions.
• Iran has been accepted as the ninth full member of the organisation.

Key Points

• India’s Stand:
  
  • It took a strong stance against radicalisation and extremism, urging the panel to come up with a joint approach and frame a code of conduct to stop terror financing and cross-border terrorism.
    
    • It also stressed upon the importance of moderate Islam in Central Asia.
  • Flagged concerns over the serious humanitarian crisis unfolding in Afghanistan, noting that the economic woes of the Afghan people are increasing due to the blockage in financial and trade flows.
  • Pointed out that the developments in the country could lead to an uncontrolled flow of drugs, illegal weapons and human trafficking.
  • It is committed to increasing its connectivity with Central Asia. Asserting that there should be respect for the territorial integrity of all countries.
• Shanghai Cooperation Organisation:
  
  • About:
    
    • It is a permanent intergovernmental international organisation. It was created in 2001.
    • The SCO Charter was signed in 2002, and entered into force in 2003.
    • It’s a Eurasian political, economic and military organisation aiming to maintain peace, security and stability in the region.
    • It is seen as a counterweight to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), It is a eight-member economic and security bloc and has emerged as one of the largest transregional international organisations.
  • Official Languages:
    
    • Russian and Chinese.
  • Permanent Bodies:
    
    • SCO Secretariat in Beijing
    • Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in Tashkent.
  • Chairmanship:
    
    • It is by rotation for a year by Member States.
  • Genesis:
    
    • Prior to the creation of SCO in 2001, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan were members of the Shanghai Five.
    • Shanghai Five (1996) emerged from a series of border demarcation and demilitarization talks which the four former Soviet republics held with China to ensure stability along the borders.
    • Following the accession of Uzbekistan to the organisation in 2001, the Shanghai Five was renamed the SCO.
    • India and Pakistan became members in 2017. Iran is the ninth and the newest member of SCO.
      
      • India was made an observer at the SCO in 2005 and has generally participated in the ministerial-level meetings of the grouping which focus mainly on security and economic cooperation in the Eurasian region.

Source: IE