Mains Practice Questions

Introduction

India’s membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), achieved in 2017, is a strategic move reflecting its broader objectives to bolster regional connectivity and enhance security cooperation.

• The SCO, primarily driven by China and Russia, provides a platform for India to pursue its goals in a multipolar framework and assert influence within Central Asia’s political and economic landscape.

Body

India’s Strategic Objective in SCO and its Impact on Regional Geopolitics:

• Counterterrorism and Security Cooperation
  • Objective: To collaborate on security initiatives to address regional threats such as terrorism, radicalization, and drug trafficking.
  • Impact: Given the direct impact of terrorism on India's national security, particularly from Pakistan, India utilises the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) for intelligence sharing and counterterrorism coordination.
    • The Karachi Airport Explosion ahead of the SCO Summit 2024 highlights the need for stronger SCO cooperation against terrorism, a key priority for regional security and India’s interests.
    • India participates in the SCO's "Peace Missions" joint anti-terrorism exercise, demonstrating its commitment to practical security cooperation.
• Energy Security and Economic Integration
  • Objective: India seeks to secure energy supplies from resource-rich Central Asian nations and diversify its energy imports.
    • The SCO offers a framework for negotiating energy agreements and participating in infrastructure projects like the TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) pipeline
  • Impact: India’s SCO membership has improved its access to energy resources and regional infrastructure.
    • Despite geopolitical challenges delaying initiatives like TAPI, India's participation in SCO meetings has facilitated discussions on alternative routes.
    • Recent engagements, such as expanding the Chabahar Port and connecting it with the International North-South Transport Corridor, demonstrate the SCO's role in enhancing India’s energy and trade security.
• Balancing Influence with China and Russia
  • Objective: India aims to maintain a strategic balance with China and Russia in the SCO, especially considering China's strong presence in Central Asia through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
  • Impact: India has leveraged the SCO platform to advocate for territorial integrity and refrained from engaging in BRI-related projects within the SCO, reflecting its efforts to navigate competing pressures while reinforcing its regional strategic interests.
• Leveraging Diplomatic Engagement with Afghanistan and Regional Stability
  • Objective: In light of regional instability related to Afghanistan, India views the SCO as a key platform for promoting dialogue and stability following the Taliban's return.
    • India advocates for a stable, inclusive Afghan government to mitigate terrorism, drug trafficking, and refugee flows that threaten neighbouring regions.
  • Impact: Its active participation in the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group underscores India’s commitment to advocating for regional stability and cooperation.
• Economic Partnerships and Trade Expansion
  • Objective: India seeks to enhance trade relationships with Central Asian economies and explore investment opportunities.
  • Impact: India’s involvement in the SCO has enabled trade discussions, although it still lags behind China in economic presence in Central Asia.
    • Nonetheless, India has leveraged the SCO to formalise agreements on education, healthcare, and IT with Central Asian nations.
    • Recent MoUs with Uzbekistan in IT and healthcare exemplify how the SCO serves as a diplomatic channel for bolstering economic collaboration and goodwill through development projects.

Conclusion

India’s SCO membership aligns with its strategic goals of combating terrorism, securing energy resources, balancing regional power dynamics, and enhancing connectivity with Central Asia. Through the SCO, India effectively positions itself as a key player in Central Asia's geopolitical and economic landscape, promoting its interests within a collaborative framework.