Recently, the SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting took place in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The Defence Minister of India took the platform to address the gathering and reaffirmed India’s commitment to working within the SCO framework. The goal is to aid in creating a safe, secure and peaceful region.
Key Points from the Defence Minister’s Address
The Minister stressed that terrorism is a significant threat to international peace and security. Furthermore, any support offered to acts of terror is a crime against humanity. India, hence, reaffirms its resolve to fight terrorism in all its formats and manifestations.
Given its geo-strategic location, India finds itself as a “Eurasian land power” and a stakeholder in the Indo-Pacific. The Defence Minister highlighted non-traditional security challenges such as pandemics, climate change, food security, water security and how societal disruptions can impact the national and international landscape.
In the battle against Covid-19, India has emerged as a leader, providing support and assistance to other countries through its Vaccine diplomacy. Furthermore, India’s initiative on the coalition for disaster resilient infrastructure (CDRI) showcased countries’ cooperation to create and share capabilities for dealing with humanitarian assistance and disaster relief issues.
An Overview of the SCO
The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. At present, the SCO consists of eight member states – India, Kazakhstan, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
Almost half the human population is encompassed within SCO nations, covering about three-fifths of the Eurasian continent geographically. Seen as a counterbalance to NATO, the SCO has emerged as one of the largest transregional international organisations.
India was made an observer at the SCO in 2005 and became a permanent member in 2017, along with Pakistan.
India’s Opportunities within SCO
Being a part of the SCO enables India to neutralise threats like religious extremism and terrorism in the region. India has shown keen interest in deepening its security-related cooperation with the SCO and its Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS), which is devoted to issues of security and defence.
The SCO is also a potential platform to advance India’s Connect Central Asia policy. This engagement signifies India’s intention to reconnect and re-energise ties with a region it shares civilizational linkages with, viewing it as an extended neighbourhood.
Furthermore, the SCO provides a forum for India to constructively engage China and Pakistan on regional matters and project its security interests. Given the rapidly changing situation in Afghanistan, the SCO also acts as alternative regional platform for India. India has completed 500 projects in Afghanistan, with a total developmental aid of $3 billion.
Strategic Importance and the Way Forward
Acknowledging the strategic importance of the region and SCO, the Indian Prime Minister had articulated the foundational dimension of Eurasia being ‘SECURE’: S for Security of our citizens, E for Economic development for all, C for Connecting the region, U for Unite our people, R for Respect for Sovereignty and Integrity, and E for Environment protection.
This concept forms the basis for the way forward. Prioritising the “consolidation of trust” in the security domain within the SCO and strengthening ties with partners bilaterally, based on equality, respect, and understanding, is essential.
SCO member countries need to develop joint institutional capacities that respect individual national sensitivities and foster cooperation. Member countries must realise their collective stakes in creating a safe, secure and stable region contributing towards progress and improvement of human development indices.
