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Putin and Xi to meet in Astana SCO summit

Putin’s attendance aims to show Russia’s resilience despite Western sanctions following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022…reports Asian Lite News

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to meet in Kazakhstan on Thursday for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. This marks their second meeting in two months, following Putin’s visit to Beijing in May to strengthen their partnership against the US-led global order and promote a “multipolar” world.

The SCO, established in 2001 by China and Russia, addresses security concerns in Central Asia. Members include Iran, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Observer states and dialogue partners include Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.

Putin’s attendance aims to show Russia’s resilience despite Western sanctions following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. An International Criminal Court warrant for war crimes against Putin has no effect in Kazakhstan, which is not a party to the Rome Statute.

The summit will highlight the strong ties between Putin and Xi as both face tensions with the West. Their partnership is crucial, with China providing diplomatic support and being a significant market for Russian oil and gas, and a key source of high-tech imports for Russia.

The SCO allows China to extend its influence, especially in Central Asia and the Global South, promoting itself as an alternative to the US and its allies. Erdogan might use the summit to meet with Putin, balancing relations with both Russia and Ukraine.

For Central Asian nations, the summit is a chance to strengthen ties with powerful neighbors. Kazakhstan, engaging with both Russia and China, also maintains relations with the West.

The summit will focus on countering terrorism, with Russia highlighting recent attacks it faced. While the SCO is not a collective security or economic alliance, it provides a platform for non-Western countries to gather and discuss significant issues.

This year, Belarus’s full membership signals Russia’s intent to bolster non-Western blocs. However, political differences within the SCO, such as the India-Pakistan conflict over Kashmir, present challenges in achieving collective agreements.

The Central Asian countries maintain a delicate balance between relations with Russia and China and their ties with the West. UN Secretary-General Guterres might use the summit to address disruptions caused by Russia within the UN framework.

Although major talks on Ukraine are not expected, the war will likely be a topic in sideline discussions among the attending leaders, reflecting its global significance.

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India enhancing Eurasian ties through SCO

India has crucial geopolitical interests in Eurasia, driven by both security and commercial considerations, writes Dr Chandan Kumar

In 2023, India took the helm of two significant international groupings: the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the G20. On July 4, 2023, the country hosted the 22nd Summit of the SCO Council of Heads of State in a virtual format, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This event marked India’s first time leading the SCO, emphasising its ambition to strengthen ties with the five Central Asian countries.

India’s chairmanship of the SCO occurred during a period of global upheaval, marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. These events have disrupted established international political norms, presenting India with a unique opportunity to guide discussions on critical issues affecting Eurasian politics and beyond.

Strengthening relations with Central Asia, a region of significant geostrategic importance and part of India’s ‘extended neighborhood,’ was a primary objective for Indian policymakers.

Through the SCO, India aimed to foster multilateral cooperation with the Central Asian republics, enhance connectivity, boost trade relations, and promote regional security.

India became a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in 2017 during the annual SCO Heads of State summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, alongside Pakistan. Prior to this, India held Observer Status at the SCO since 2005.

Recognizing the organization’s potential, India initiated the process for full membership in 2015 at the Ufa Summit in Russia. This move aligned with India’s renewed global engagement efforts following Prime Minister Modi’s assumption of office in 2014, alongside a strategic push to strengthen ties with the Central Asian region, which had previously been of secondary importance to Indian foreign policy.

Additional motivations for India joining the SCO included enhancing connectivity between Central and South Asia, promoting energy security, and countering terrorism and illegal narcotics trade.

The Eurasian region would have become a hotbed of ethnic strife, regime changes, and radicalism without this organization. Smaller Central Asian states require assistance from external powers to maintain internal stability and counter external influences.

They face existential threats from major regional powers and radical influences in neighboring areas. Notably, the SCO has established a geopolitical balance, aligning the interests of major powers in Central Asia. However, it has also limited Western influence in Eurasia.

In summary, the SCO has contributed in three key ways: fostering political stability in Central Asia, harmonizing the interests of major powers in the region, and curbing the spread of terrorism, separatism, and radicalism.

India’s entry into the SCO in 2017 has significantly altered the organization’s dynamics. The SCO can no longer be labeled as a coalition of authoritarian states with an anti-Western agenda. Russia and the Central Asian states supported India’s inclusion, viewing it as a benevolent stabilizer and a potential regional investor. However, there are serious concerns about how the ongoing Sino-Indian and Pakistan-India border conflicts might affect the organization. Additionally, Beijing and Moscow will need to allow New Delhi more influence as it becomes increasingly active and involved in the region.

Currently, as a new member, India does not aggressively push its own agenda, focusing instead on collaborative developmental goals and avoiding confrontation. Nonetheless, as India’s engagement in Central Asia deepens, its role within the SCO is expected to evolve.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) remains highly significant for India for several reasons. First, it aligns well with India’s broader strategy of multi-alignment, complementing its participation in other groups like BRICS and reinforcing its policy of maintaining diverse international partnerships. Additionally, India has crucial geopolitical interests in Eurasia, driven by both security and commercial considerations, as stability in Central Asia is vital for India’s own security.

Without SCO membership, India’s efforts to engage with Central Asia would be hindered, potentially allowing China and Pakistan to create unfavorable conditions for India’s involvement in the region.

Furthermore, India’s membership in the SCO supports Russia and the Central Asian states in balancing China’s influence in the region. Central Asian states are also eager to strengthen economic ties with India, making it imperative for New Delhi to prioritize involvement in Central Asia’s developmental, connectivity, and infrastructural projects.

In recent years, the highest political offices in India have actively pushed for connectivity projects, coinciding with India’s membership in the SCO and its proactive engagement with the region. This initiative aligns with a parallel desire among Central Asian states, particularly Uzbekistan, to enhance connections between Central Asia and South Asia.

For example, during the 2022 Samarkand Summit in Uzbekistan, Prime Minister Modi held discussions with Russia, Iran, and Uzbekistan to accelerate connectivity projects along the North-South axis. These projects include the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and the Chabahar Project, with efforts to integrate Chabahar into the INSTC framework.

India has also utilised the SCO platform to engage with Central Asian states on regional security issues, particularly concerning terrorism emanating from Afghanistan. Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, three of the five Central Asian states, share borders with Afghanistan and are crucial stakeholders in the region’s stability. Today, the SCO needs to put in place measures to counter threats of ISIS emerging from Afghanistan.

India’s proactive involvement in the SCO demonstrates its commitment to fostering regional stability, enhancing connectivity, and promoting economic cooperation in Eurasia.

As India’s role within the SCO evolves, its influence in Central Asia is expected to grow, aligning with its broader strategic objectives in the region.

(Dr. Chandan Kumar, Ph. D in Buddhist History, is a young scholar. He is working as Assistant Professor, Department of History, Satyawati College, University of Delhi). (ANI)

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India’s SCO Presidency: Here’s what is in focus

During India’s presidency, SCO has touched new milestones in the range, depth, and intensity of engagements and interactions across a wide range of sectors….reports Asian Lite News

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit will be hosted virtually by India under its Presidency on (Tuesday) July 4, 2023, marking an important milestone.

The Summit will be attended by leaders from the 8 member states – China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. It will be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The SCO is an intergovernmental organization founded in Shanghai on June 15, 2001. The SCO’s objectives are to improve ties among members, advance cooperation in political affairs, economic commerce, scientific-technical, cultural, and educational domains, as well as in energy and the environment, protect regional peace, security, and stability, and develop a democratic, equitable international political and economic order.

Besides the eight Member States, SCO also has four Observer States including Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia, and six ‘Dialogue Partners’ include Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Turkey.

From Observer to SCO presidency

India’s association with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) began in 2005 as an Observer country. India became a full Member State of SCO at the Astana Summit in 2017, which was a historic moment in India’s engagement with the Organisation. In the past six years, India has played an active and constructive role in all spheres of activities of SCO.

On September 2022, India took over the presidency of SCO from Uzbekistan at the Samarkand Summit of SCO. The theme of India’s chairship of SCO is “SECURE,” derived from the acronym given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 2018 SCO Qingdao Summit. It stands for Security, Economic development, Connectivity, Unity, Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and Environmental protection.

During India’s presidency, SCO has touched new milestones in the range, depth, and intensity of engagements and interactions across a wide range of sectors. India created five new pillars and focus areas of cooperation in SCO, including startups and innovation, traditional medicine, digital inclusion, youth empowerment, and shared Buddhist heritage.

Two new mechanisms in SCO, Special Working Group on Startups and Innovation and Experts Working Group on Traditional Medicine were created on India’s initiative, we intend to contribute substantially in both these areas.

As Chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), India placed significant emphasis on fostering stronger people-to-people connections among member states. To achieve this objective, a series of signature events were organized under the Indian Chairmanship.

Events like 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, and SCO International Conference of Think Tanks aimed to deepen the existing bonds and promote cultural exchange and collaboration.

Vibrant Exchange of ideas & practices

Under the Indian Chairship, an unprecedented level of engagement was witnessed between the SCO Observers and Dialogue Partners. These external participants actively took part in 14 socio-cultural events, which served as platforms for interaction and mutual understanding.

The Indian Chairmanship orchestrated a diverse range of activities to facilitate these very people-to-people connections. These events encompassed various aspects of society, including art, music, dance, literature, sports, and academic exchange. By incorporating such a wide array of activities, the Indian Chair sought to engage individuals from different walks of life, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and cooperation.

These events not only provided an opportunity for member states to showcase their cultural heritage but also encouraged a deeper appreciation of each other’s traditions and customs. By promoting cultural exchange, the Indian Chair aimed to create an atmosphere of inclusivity and harmony within the SCO.

The participation of SCO Observers and Dialogue Partners in these events further contributed to the enrichment of the cultural experience. These external participants brought their unique perspectives and traditions, facilitating a diverse and vibrant exchange of ideas and practices.

Strengthening people-to-people ties

The SCO’s socio-cultural events under the Indian Chairmanship not only promoted mutual understanding but also strengthened people-to-people ties. By encouraging interaction at various levels, the Indian Chair sought to bridge gaps and build lasting relationships among member states and external participants.

India celebrated Kashi/Varanasi as the 1st SCO Tourist and Cultural Capital of SCO 2022-23, drawing focus on India’s millennia-old cultural and civilizational heritage.

Youth Empowerment was another focus area of Indian chair, and events like Young Authors Conference, Young Scientist Conclave, Startup Forum, SCO Youth Council and Conference, SCO Resident Researchers Programme were organized.

SCO foreign minister’s meeting sets the tone

As part of its presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), India also organized a significant event in Goa, hosting the Foreign Ministers of the SCO member states on 4-5 May. The meeting was not only marked by substantive discussions but also showcased a vibrant cultural program.

The Foreign Ministers’ gathering in Goa provided an important platform for dialogue and deliberation on various regional and global issues. The discussions held during this meeting allowed the participating nations to exchange views, share perspectives, and strengthen cooperation on matters of mutual interest. These deliberations played a crucial role in shaping the SCO’s agenda during India’s presidency.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar inaugurated the New Delhi Hall virtually at the SCO Secretariat in Beijing. This symbolized India’s commitment to the SCO and its active engagement with the organization. The establishment of the New Delhi Hall further strengthened India’s presence within the SCO framework, providing a dedicated space for future meetings and interactions.

As a testament to the significance of India’s presidency within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a special commemorative stamp was issued to mark this historic occasion. This stamp holds immense symbolic value, representing India’s prominent role and contributions to the organization during its first-ever presidency.

To sum up, India attaches special importance to the SCO in promoting multilateral, political, security, economic, and humanistic interrelations in the region. The ongoing engagement with SCO has helped India promote its relations with the countries in the region with which India has shared civilizational linkages, and is considered India’s extended neighborhood

India’s SCO presidency gives the country the chance to start global and regional counterterrorism measures as well as regional efforts to combat the illicit drug trade. India has made serious efforts to promote peace, prosperity, and stability throughout the whole Eurasian area, in general, and amongst the SCO members, in particular, since it gained full membership.

(India News Network)

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