SCO DEFENCE MINISTERS' MEETING 2021
Recently, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting took place in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The Defence Minister of India addressed the grouping and said India is committed to working within the SCO framework for helping create & maintain a secure & peaceful region.
MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS OF DEFENCE MINISTERS' ADDRESS
Terrorism is the most serious threat to international peace and security and support to any acts of terror is a crime against humanity. India reaffirms its resolve to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The geo-strategic location of India makes it both a “Eurasian land power” as well as a stakeholder in the Indo-Pacific. Highlighted non-traditional security challenges like pandemics, climate change, food security, water security and associated societal disruptions can impact national and international landscape. In dealing with Covid-19 pandemic, India has been at the forefront to provide support and assistance to countries through its Vaccine diplomacy. India’s initiative on coalition for disaster resilient infrastructure (CDRI) was also an example of how countries were coming together to create and share capabilities to deal with humanitarian assistance and disaster relief issues.
WHAT IS SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANISATION?
SCO is a permanent intergovernmental international organisation. It’s a Eurasian political, economic and military organisation aiming to maintain peace, security and stability in the region. It was created in 2001. The SCO Charter was signed in 2002, and entered into force in 2003. It is a statutory document which outlines the organisation's goals and principles, as well as its structure and core activities. The SCO's official languages are Russian and Chinese.
Genesis: Prior to the creation of SCO in 2001, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan were members of the Shanghai Five. Shanghai Five (1996) emerged from a series of border demarcation and demilitarization talks which the four former Soviet republics held with China to ensure stability along the borders. Following the accession of Uzbekistan to the organisation in 2001, the Shanghai Five was renamed the SCO. India and Pakistan became members in 2017.
Membership: Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan
OBJECTIVES OF THE ORGANISATION
Strengthening mutual trust and neighbourliness among the member states. Promoting effective cooperation in -politics, trade & economy, research & technology and culture. Enhancing ties in education, energy, transport, tourism, environmental protection, etc. Maintain and ensure peace, security and stability in the region. Establishment of a democratic, fair and rational new international political & economic order.
STRUCTURE OF THE SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANISATION
- Heads of State Council – The supreme SCO body which decides its internal functioning and its interaction with other States & international organisations, and considers international issues.
- Heads of Government Council – Approves the budget, considers and decides upon issues related economic spheres of interaction within SCO.
- Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs – Considers issues related to day-to-day activities.
- Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) – Established to combat terrorism, separatism and extremism.
- SCO Secretariat – Based in Beijing to provide informational, analytical & organisational support.
INDIA'S OPPORTUNITIES AND SCO
Regional Security: SCO will enable India, as an integral part of the Eurasian security grouping, to neutralise threats like religious extremism and terrorism in the region. It is due to this, India has shown keen interest in deepening its security-related cooperation with the SCO and its Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS), which specifically deals with issues relating to security and defence.
Connect With Central Asia: SCO is also a potential platform to advance India’s Connect Central Asia policy. India’s ongoing engagement with SCO can be seen through the prism of reconnecting and re-energising ties with a region with which India has shared civilizational linkages, and is considered the country’s extended neighbourhood.
Dealing with Pakistan & China: SCO provides India with a forum where it can constructively engage both China and Pakistan in a regional context and project India’s security interests.
Bringing Stability in Afghanistan: SCO, also an alternative regional platform to delve into the rapidly changing situation in Afghanistan. So far India completed 500 projects in Afghanistan and is continuing with some more, with a total development aid of $3 billion.
Strategic Importance: Acknowledging the strategic importance emanating from the region and SCO, the Indian Prime Minister had articulated the foundational dimension of Eurasia being 'SECURE’. The letters in the word SECURE are:
- 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.
CONCLUSION
There is a need to provide high priority to the “consolidation of trust” in the security domain within the SCO as well as strengthening ties with partners of the grouping bilaterally on the basis of equality, mutual respect and understanding. The SCO member countries should develop joint institutional capacities that respect individual national sensitivities and yet generate a spirit of cooperation to create contact and connectivity between people, societies and nations. Member countries should realise that they have collective stakes to create a safe, secure and stable region that can contribute towards progress and improvement of human development indices.
TEST YOURSELF
Q.1 Recently, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting took place at which of the following places?
- Tashkent, Uzbekistan
- Dushanbe, Tajikistan: ANSWER
- Shanghai, China
- None of the following
Q.2 With the reference to the above mentioned editorial, which of the following is correct regarding the main concern in the SCO defence minister's meeting?
- Terrorism
- COVID-19 vaccine diplomacy
- Concerns over Climate change
- All of the above: ANSWER
Q.3 Consider the given options, which of the following countries is not the member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization?
- Kazakhstan
- India
- United States of America: ANSWER
- Kyrgyzstan
Q.4 Which of the following statements is/are incorrect in the reference to the India relationship with Shanghai Cooperation Organization?
- SCO will enable India, as an integral part of the Eurasian security grouping, 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 specifically deals with issues relating to security and defence.
- Only I follows
- Only II follows
- Both I & II follows
- None of the above: ANSWER
Q.5 Which of the following is the supreme SCO body which decides its internal functioning and its interaction with other States & international organisations?
- Heads of State Council: ANSWER
- Heads of Government Council
- Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs
- None of the above
