In 2001, the Shanghai Five inducted Uzbekistan into the group and named it the SCO outlining its principles in a charter that promoted what was called the Shanghai spirit of cooperation.
Official working languages: Chinese, Russian
SCO Secretariat: Beijing, China
Members & Observers: 10 member states– Founding Members + Uzbekistan, India (2017), Pakistan (2017), Iran (2023 under chairmanship of India) and Belarus (2024).
2 Observer members – Afghanistan, Mongolia
Credits: Times of India
NOTE: 2 more countries have recently joined the SCO - Iran (2023), Belarus (2024).
Organizational Structure of SCO
The Heads of State Council (HSC) is the supreme decision-making body in the SCO.
The Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) (CHG) meets once a year to discuss the strategy of multilateral cooperation and priority areas within the Organization
The Organization has 2 standing bodies — the Secretariat in Beijing and the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in Tashkent.
Significance for India
Regional Security: The SCO serves as a platform for addressing security concerns, including terrorism, separatism, and extremism, which are critical issues for India given its geographical and political context.
Economic Cooperation: The organization facilitates economic collaboration among member states, which enhance trade and investment opportunities for India, particularly with Central Asian countries.
Geopolitical Influence: India’s membership in the SCO helps enhance its influence in Central Asia and counterbalances the presence of China and Pakistan in the region.
Central Asia: The SCO is especially important for India because its membership and focus emphasize Central Asia—a region where India is keen to ramp up ties but faces an inherent constraint with its outreach.
Challenges for India
China-Pakistan Axis: The strong partnership between China and Pakistan within the SCO limits India's influence in regional security discussions.
Focus on Security over Economic Development: The SCO’s primary focus on security issues sometimes overshadow economic and developmental cooperation, which are crucial for India’s interests in the region.
Anti-Western Perception: The SCO's positioning as a counterbalance to Western institutions challenges India's balanced foreign policy approach.
Endorsement of BRI: The SCO's support for China's Belt and Road Initiative, particularly the CPEC through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, threatens India's territorial integrity.
Way Ahead
Strengthen Regional Security Collaboration: Enhance participation in Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) to address terrorism and extremism, ensuring India's security concerns are prioritized.
Economic Diplomacy: Advocate for balanced economic cooperation within the SCO, leveraging the platform to boost trade, energy ties, and connectivity with Central Asia without compromising national interests.
Engage in Multilateral Dialogue: Use the SCO as a platform to maintain open dialogue with China and Pakistan, focusing on minimizing tensions and addressing contentious issues like CPEC and border disputes.
Counterbalance Influence: Strengthen partnerships with like-minded member states (e.g., Russia and Central Asian countries) to counterbalance the China-Pakistan axis and assert India's strategic priorities in the region.
Promote Balanced Multilateralism: Actively advocate for inclusivity in SCO policies to avoid anti-Western biases, aligning them with India's balanced foreign policy while preserving national sovereignty.
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