Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)
Syllabus: International Relations (Prelims)
Source: HT
Context:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the 25th SCO Heads of State Council Summit in Tianjin, China, on 31 August 2025.
What is SCO?
- A regional intergovernmental body for political, economic, and security cooperation.
- Formed in 2001 at Shanghai, evolving from the “Shanghai Five” (1996).
- Headquarters: Beijing, China.
Membership
- Permanent Members (8): China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan.
- Observers: Afghanistan, Belarus, Mongolia, Iran (moving to full membership).
- Dialogue Partners: Turkey, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, etc.
Aims and Objectives
- Ensure regional peace and stability.
- Combat terrorism, separatism, and extremism.
- Promote economic connectivity and trade integration.
- Encourage cultural exchange and people-to-people ties.
- Support multipolarity and non-interference in internal affairs.
Key Mechanisms & Initiatives
- RATS (Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure): Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
- Proposal for SCO Development Bank to boost financial cooperation.
- Focus on energy security, transport corridors, agriculture, digital economy, and cultural ties.
- Conducts Peace Mission joint military exercises annually.
25th SCO Summit 2025 (Tianjin, China)
- Host: China (5th time).
- Theme: “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move.”
- Main Agenda:
- Adoption of a 10-year strategy (2025–2035).
- Review of 25 years of SCO progress.
- Strengthen regional security & counter-terrorism.
- Expand trade, connectivity, and energy cooperation.
- Push for sustainable development and climate action.
- Participation: 20+ heads of state and 10 international organisations.
India’s Role in SCO
- Promote connectivity, counter-terrorism cooperation, and energy security.
- Balance relations with Russia, China, and Central Asian states.
- Use the platform to further sustainable growth and regional stability.
