Context:
During the recent SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Islamabad, Pakistan, there was a notable informal interaction between India’s External Affairs Minister and Pakistan’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. This interaction was marked by a more positive tone compared to previous meetings. The SCO Council of Heads of Government, where this interaction took place, serves as the second-highest council within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, following the SCO Council of Heads of States. This positive exchange could indicate a warming of relations or at least a more constructive approach to dialogue between the two nations.
Relevance:
GS II: International Relations
Dimensions of the Article:
- Positive Developments Between India and Pakistan at the SCO Summit
- What is the SCO?
Positive Developments Between India and Pakistan at the SCO Summit
Key Positive Outcomes:
- Moderation in Statements: Both India and Pakistan demonstrated restraint by avoiding contentious language in their statements at the SCO summit. This approach helped maintain a cordial atmosphere during the discussions.
- Focus on Cooperation: The discussions emphasized collaboration over confrontation, with topics such as trade, connectivity, energy flows, and joint efforts against terrorism, separatism, and extremism being central themes.
- Commendation by India: India’s positive remarks about the productive organization of the SCO meeting by Pakistan signal a thawing in relations and a willingness to engage constructively.
- Energy and Economic Initiatives:
- Discussion of the TAPI energy pipeline project involving Turkmenistan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India indicates ongoing collaboration in regional connectivity and energy security.
- Proposals for an Economic Dialogue Programme and strategies to enhance economic cooperation were key outcomes, aiming to strengthen economic ties and regional development.
- Joint Statement Focus: The joint statement highlighted mutual interests in areas like green development, the digital economy, trade, poverty alleviation, and renewable energy, setting a roadmap for future collaboration.
Significance of These Developments
- Context of Tensions: Since the revocation of Article 370 by India, which led to a severe strain in relations including diplomatic downgrades and the suspension of bilateral trade, any positive interaction marks a significant shift towards potential reconciliation.
- Economic Impact:
- Prior to the tension escalation post-2019, trade between India and Pakistan was substantial, indicating the economic loss due to political strife. Renewed dialogue could pave the way for a gradual resumption of trade ties, beneficial for both economies.
- Strategic Importance:
- Improved relations can lead to better management of contentious issues like water rights under the Indus Waters Treaty and security concerns linked to terrorism and separatism.
- Regional Stability:
- Constructive engagement between India and Pakistan at international forums like the SCO can contribute to broader regional stability and peace, which is crucial given the strategic importance of South Asia.
What is the SCO?
- Founded in June 2001, it was built on the ‘Shanghai Five’, the grouping which consisted of Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
- They came together in the post-Soviet era in 1996, in order to work on regional security, reduction of border troops and terrorism.
- They endowed particular focus on ‘conflict resolution’, given its early success between China and Russia, and then within the Central Asian Republics.
- Some of their prominent outcomes in this arena entail an ‘Agreement on Confidence-Building in the Military Field Along the Border Areas’ (in 1996) between China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, which led to an agreement on the mutual reduction of military forces on their common borders in 1997.
- It would also pitch in to help the Central Asian countries resolve some of their boundary disputes.
- In 2001, the ‘Shanghai Five’ inducted Uzbekistan into its fold and named it the SCO, outlining its principles in a charter that promoted what was called the “Shanghai spirit” of cooperation.
- The precise assertion, combined with some of the member states’ profiles, of building a “new international political and economic order” has often led to it being placed as a counter to treaties and groupings of the West, particularly North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).
Member states
- India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
- The SCO also has four observer states — Afghanistan, Iran, Belarus and Mongolia — of which Iran and Belarus are now moving towards full membership.
Main goals
- Strengthening mutual trust and neighbourliness among the member states;
- Promoting their effective cooperation in politics, trade, economy, research and technology, and culture.
Focus areas:
- Education, energy, transport, tourism and environmental protection.
- It also calls for joint efforts to maintain and ensure peace, security and stability in the region; and the establishment of a democratic, fair and rational new international political and economic order.
Organizational structure of SCO
The SCO secretariat has two permanent bodies —
- SCO Secretariat based in Beijing
- Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) based in Tashkent.
Other than this, the grouping consists of
Heads of State Council (HSC):
- It is the supreme decision-making body of the organisation.
- It meets annually to adopt decisions and guidelines on all important matters relevant to the organisation.
Heads of Government Council (HGC):
- The HGC (mainly including Prime Ministers) also meets annually to zero in on the organisation’s priority areas and multilateral cooperation strategy.
- It also endeavours to resolve present economic and cooperation issues alongside approving the organisation’s annual budget.
Foreign Ministers Council:
- The Foreign Ministers Council considers issues pertaining to the day-to-day activities of the organisation, charting HSC meetings and consultations on international problems within the organisation and if required, makes statements on behalf of the SCO.
-Source: Indian Express
