Introduction
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) stands as a testament to the evolving geopolitical landscape of the 21st century. Born from the ashes of the Cold War, this alliance has grown to become a formidable force in international relations, encompassing a vast swath of Eurasia and representing a significant portion of the world's population and economic output.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spoke over the phone on Tuesday evening. (Image: AFP/PTI)
Origins and Early Development
The roots of the SCO can be traced back to the mid-1990s, in the aftermath of the Soviet Union's collapse. On April 26, 1996, the leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan came together to sign the Treaty on Deepening Military Trust in Border Regions in Shanghai. This group, known as the Shanghai Five, marked the beginning of a new era of cooperation in Central Asia.
The following year, on April 24, 1997, the same countries signed the Treaty on Reduction of Military Forces in Border Regions during a meeting in Moscow. This was followed by a significant declaration on May 20, 1997, when Russian President Boris Yeltsin and Chinese President Jiang Zemin advocated for a "multipolar world," signaling a shift away from the US-dominated unipolar system that had emerged after the Cold War.
The Shanghai Five continued to meet annually, with summits held in Almaty (1998), Bishkek (1999), and Dushanbe (2000). These meetings proved crucial in addressing border disputes, agreeing on military deployments in border areas, and tackling shared security threats. The Dushanbe summit in 2000 was particularly noteworthy, as members agreed to oppose intervention in other countries' internal affairs under the guises of "humanitarianism" and "protecting human rights," while pledging to support each other in maintaining national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and social stability.
The Birth of the SCO
The year 2001 marked a turning point for the alliance. Returning to Shanghai, the group welcomed Uzbekistan into its ranks and officially transformed into the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. On June 15, 2001, the six heads of state signed the Declaration of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, acknowledging the contributions of the Shanghai Five mechanism and setting the stage for elevated cooperation.
Between 2001 and 2008, the SCO experienced rapid expansion, establishing numerous permanent bodies and ad hoc initiatives focused on economic and security issues. A crucial milestone was reached in June 2002 when the SCO member states' leaders convened in Saint Petersburg, Russia, to sign the SCO Charter. This document, which came into effect on September 19, 2003, detailed the organization's purposes, principles, structures, and operational methods.
Expansion and Growing Influence
The SCO's influence continued to grow throughout the 2000s. In July 2005, at the summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, representatives from India, Iran, Mongolia, and Pakistan attended an SCO summit for the first time. Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev's welcoming remarks underscored the organization's growing significance: "The leaders of the states sitting at this negotiation table are representatives of half of humanity."
By 2007, the SCO had launched over twenty large-scale projects related to transportation, energy, and telecommunications. Regular meetings involving security, military, defense, foreign affairs, economic, cultural, banking, and other officials from member states became the norm, further solidifying the organization's role in regional affairs.
A major expansion occurred in 2015 when, at a summit in Ufa, Russia, the SCO decided to admit India and Pakistan as full members. Both countries signed the memorandum of obligations in Tashkent in 2016, initiating the process of joining the SCO. Their membership was officially confirmed in June 2017 at a summit in Kazakhstan.
Structure and Governance
The SCO is governed by the Heads of State Council (HSC), its highest decision-making body, which convenes annually. The organization also includes the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), which plays a crucial role in coordinating efforts to combat terrorism, separatism, and extremism.
International Relations and Partnerships
Over the years, the SCO has established relations with numerous international organizations, enhancing its global influence. These partnerships include:
1. United Nations (2004) - Observer status in the General Assembly
2. Commonwealth of Independent States (2005)
3. Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (2005)
4. Collective Security Treaty Organization (2007)
5. Economic Cooperation Organization (2007)
6. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2011)
7. Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) (2014)
8. United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) (2015)
In 2018, the SCO's Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) established relations with the African Union's African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT), further expanding its reach beyond Eurasia.
Current State and Future Prospects
As of 2024, the SCO has continued to evolve and expand its influence. In early June 2024, Russian and Chinese officials announced that Belarus would become a full member of the SCO, transitioning from its observer status at the upcoming Astana summit in July 2024. This development further solidifies the organization's position as a major player in Eurasian affairs.
The SCO's economic significance cannot be overstated. As of 2021, the combined GDP of SCO member states constituted about 20% of the global GDP. The organization encompasses approximately 80% of Eurasia and 40% of the world's population, making it the world's largest regional organization by geographic scope and population.
Recent Developments: India-Kazakhstan Relations
The SCO continues to play a crucial role in fostering bilateral relationships between member states. A recent example of this is the phone conversation between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on June 25, 2024. During this call, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the bilateral strategic partnership.
Prime Minister Modi assured India's full support for the success of the upcoming SCO Summit in Astana and expressed confidence in Kazakhstan's leadership to further regional cooperation. President Tokayev took the opportunity to congratulate PM Modi on his recent re-election for a historic third consecutive term, highlighting the democratic values shared by SCO member states. This interaction demonstrates the SCO's role not just as a collective security organization, but also as a platform for fostering diplomatic ties and economic cooperation among its members.
Later, the Prime Minister posted on social media platform X, "Had a good conversation with President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Thanked him for warm wishes on the success in the elections. Reiterated the commitment to advance our Strategic Partnership with Kazakhstan,".
"Conveyed India’s full support for the success of the upcoming SCO Summit," he added.
India-Kazakhstan Relations
India was among the first nations to recognize Kazakhstan's independence, establishing diplomatic relations on February 22, 1992. In May of that year, India opened its Embassy in Almaty, followed by Kazakhstan opening its Embassy in New Delhi in 1993. When Kazakhstan shifted its capital from Almaty to Astana in 1997, India opened a Representative Office in Astana on September 15, 2003. This office became the Embassy in November 2007, while the Representative Office moved back to Almaty, reflecting the evolving diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
Conclusion
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation has come a long way from its humble beginnings as the Shanghai Five. Today, it stands as a powerful alliance that shapes the geopolitical and economic landscape of Eurasia. With its vast geographic reach, significant economic clout, and growing international partnerships, the SCO is poised to play an increasingly important role in global affairs. As the world continues to grapple with complex challenges such as terrorism, economic instability, and shifting power dynamics, the SCO's model of multilateral cooperation and mutual support offers an alternative approach to international relations. While it faces its own challenges and criticisms, the organization's continued growth and evolution suggest that it will remain a key player in shaping the future of Eurasia and beyond.
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