The Interaction Desk
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is an intergovernmental organization composed of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan founded in Shanghai in 2001. Originally formed as a confidence-building forum to demilitarize borders, the organization’s goals and agenda have since broadened to include increased military and counter-terrorism cooperation and intelligence sharing. The SCO has also intensified its focus on regional economic initiatives like the recently announced integration of the China-led Silk Road Economic Belt and the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union. While some experts say the organization has emerged as an anti-U.S. bulwark in Central Asia, others believe frictions among its members effectively preclude a strong, unified SCO. It was expanded in 2017 when Pakistan and India joined as full members of the SCO. It was then thought the SCO will be a good plate form to settle or at least not let the conflict escalate between Pakistan and India. After the entry of USA in Indian ocean to contain China, the tension increased between Pakistan and India as India wanted to disturb CPEC which is flag project of China’s One belt one Road initiative. Then Ladakh Issue was erupted in 2020 to protect CPEC as India on 5th August 2019 claimed Pakistan held Kashmir(AZAD KASHMIR) and Gilgat Baltistan together with Aksai Chin as part of India. This was not acceptable to Pakistan and China and also the world in principle.
The world, however, is divided in to two parts now the USA, Europe. Japan, Australia and India on one side and on the other side Russia, China and Pakistan and may be Iran and Turkey may join together with Eurasian countries. The SCO has to play a major role in the world; in UNO,G20 and other formats and international issues like Afghanistan, Syria, Iran, North Korea and Un sanction regimes.
If we look to SCO, it is a huge organization, as the Shanghai Five in 1996, the organization added Uzbekistan in 2001 and renamed itself the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The six member states occupy territory that accounts for three-fifths of the Eurasian continent and have a population of 1.5 billion, a quarter of the world’s population. In addition to the six member states, the SCO has two new members, India and Pakistan, four observer nations, and six dialogue partners.
As laid out in its charter, the organization functions as a forum to strengthen confidence and neighborly relations among member countries and promote cooperation in politics, trade, economy, and culture to education, energy, and transportation. The SCO has two permanent headquarters, the secretariat in Beijing and the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in Tashkent, the Uzbek capital. One of the organization’s primary objectives is promoting cooperation on security-related issues, namely to combat the “three evils” of terrorism, separatism, and extremism. The organization adopts decisions made by consensus, and all member states must uphold the core principle of non-aggression and non-interference in internal affairs.
SCO has played a very positive role in Afghanistan which has been recognized even by USA. The strength of cooperation it has shown in Afghanistan is sufficient to express its power and strength. Though it was done by SCO members but its back up was SCO. In similar manner the members of SCO should act in all UN Forum, G-20 and other global issues. This will give a voice, which will not go unheard and a power which could not be neglected by the west and USA.
SCO is so strong economically, militarily and Geo-strategically that no power on the earth can ignore it. This should reckon by USA, Europe and India should understand that peace and prosperity together with military might lies in SCO. Instead of becoming stooge of USA, it should drive its strength from SCO and cooperate with neighboring countries and SCO members.