Editorial Analysis 11 July 2022 The Hindu
SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANIZATION
- What is the SCO:
- A permanent intergovernmental international organisation, the SCO was founded.
- Keeping the peace, security, and stability in the area is the goal of this Eurasian political, economic, and military institution.
- In 2003, the SCO Charter came into effect after being signed in 2002.
- Genesis:
- The Shanghai Five, which included Tajikistan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Russia, existed prior to the establishment of the SCO in 2001.
- The Shanghai Five (1996) was the result of several boundary delineation and demilitarisation negotiations between China and the four former Soviet republics to maintain peace along the boundaries.
- The Shanghai Five became known as the SCO after Uzbekistan joined the group in 2001.
- Pakistan and India joined in 2017.
- It was reported that Iran would join the SCO as a full member on September 17, 2021.
- Objectives:
- enhancing the member states’ sense of cooperation and neighbourliness.
- encouraging efficient collaboration in the fields of politics, trade, the economy, science, and culture.
- strengthening connections in areas such as environmental protection, energy, transportation, and tourism.
- maintain and uphold the region’s peace, security, and stability.
- creation of a new international political and economic order that is democratic, fair, and logical.
- Membership:
- Iran, China, India, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Uzbekistan.
- Structure:
- The top SCO body, the Heads of State Council, decides how the organisation will operate internally, interact with other States and international organisations, and take into account global challenges.
- The Heads of Government Council approves the budget and deliberates on matters relating to the interaction of economic sectors within the SCO.
- To combat terrorism, separatism, and extremism, the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) was created.
- Beijing-based SCO Secretariat offers organisational, analytical, and informational support.
- Languages Used:
- Chinese and Russian are the SCO Secretariat’s official working languages.
Mains Question:
- “A significant regional organization in the Eurasian region is the SCO.” Discuss how India can further its national interests in light of the statement.
