SCO (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – International Organization)

Context: Recently, External Affairs Minister Of India emphasized that members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) should collaborate to advance regional stability and prosperity by upholding international law principles, respecting each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and fostering economic cooperation.

oIndia-China relations are currently in one of their worst phases in six decades, with the standoff on the LAC entering in its fourth year.

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO

• About: It is a permanent intergovernmental international organisation of Eurasian Nations with a secretariat in Beijing.
• Formation: 15 June 2001 by the leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
• Members: China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
• Headquarter: Shanghai (China)
• Aim: It is a political, economic and military organisation that aims at maintaining peace, security and stability in the region.

Importance of the SCO for India

• Economic Cooperation: to strengthen economic ties with Central Asian countries, which possess abundant natural resources and diversification of economic partnerships
• Energy Security: With vast reserves of oil and gas, Central Asia offers an opportunity for India to enhance its energy security.
• Cultural Cooperation: Designation of cultural capital: The SCO member countries have agreed to designate one city each year as the tourism and cultural capital, with "Kashi" (Varanasi) being the first cultural capital under this initiative.
• Counterterrorism: The SCO places significant emphasis on cooperation in countering terrorism.