{"id":42995,"date":"2024-10-17T01:05:06","date_gmt":"2024-10-16T19:35:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=42995"},"modified":"2025-10-03T11:21:50","modified_gmt":"2025-10-03T05:51:50","slug":"sco-summit-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/sco-summit-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"SCO Summit 2024: Jaishankar&#8217;s Call for Cooperation and Regional Stability"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><strong>What\u2019s in today\u2019s article?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Why in News?<\/li>\n<li>Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)<\/li>\n<li>Key Highlights of the EAM\u2019s Address at SCO<\/li>\n<li>India-Pakistan Foreign Ministers Hold First Talks in 9 Years<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>Why in News?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The <strong>23rd Meeting of the <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/shanghai-cooperation-organisation-sco\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)<\/strong><\/a><strong> Council of Heads of Government (CHG)<\/strong> was held on October 16, 2024, in Islamabad, Pakistan. The summit concentrated on the bloc\u2019s trade and economic agenda.<\/p>\n<p>External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar led the Indian delegation at the summit. Jaishankar&#8217;s visit marks the first by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan in nine years, highlighting the significance of India&#8217;s participation in the SCO despite ongoing bilateral tensions.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>About<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>SCO is a <strong>permanent intergovernmental international organisation<\/strong>, created in June 2001 in Shanghai (China).<\/li>\n<li>Founding members included Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan.\u00a0\n<ul>\n<li>The five countries had come together to work on regional security, reduction of border troops, and terrorism in the post-Soviet era in 1996.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>In 2001, the Shanghai Five inducted Uzbekistan into the group and named it the SCO outlining its principles in a charter that <strong>promoted what was called the Shanghai spirit of cooperation<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>This organization, prior to the inclusion of Iran, represented <strong>approximately 42% of the world\u2019s population, 22% of its land area and 20% of its GDP<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Official working languages<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Chinese, Russian<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>SCO Secretariat<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Beijing, China<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Members &amp; Observers\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>10 member states\u2013 <\/strong>China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Iran and Belarus.\n<ul>\n<li>India and Pakistan became full members at the Heads of State Council meet in Astana in 2017.<\/li>\n<li>Iran became the 9th member of the SCO in 2023 under the chairmanship of India.<\/li>\n<li>Belarus officially joined the SCO in July 2024, and became its 10th member state.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>2 Observer members \u2013 <\/strong>Afghanistan, Mongolia<\/li>\n<li><strong>Organisational Structure of SCO<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>The Heads of State Council (HSC)<\/strong> is the supreme decision-making body in the SCO. It meets once a year and decide upon\u00a0all the important issues of\u00a0the Organization.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li><strong>The Council of\u00a0Heads of\u00a0Government (Prime Ministers) (CHG) <\/strong>is the second highest body of the organization.\n<ul>\n<li>It meets once a year to\u00a0discuss the strategy of\u00a0multilateral cooperation and priority areas within\u00a0the Organization, determine fundamental and topical issues in\u00a0economic and other spheres, and approve the budget of\u00a0the SCO.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>In addition to\u00a0the meetings of\u00a0the CHS and the CHG, there are also mechanisms for\u00a0meetings on\u00a0foreign affairs, national defense, security, economy and trade etc.<\/li>\n<li>The Organization has 2 standing bodies\u00a0\u2014\u00a0<strong>the Secretariat in\u00a0Beijing<\/strong> and the <strong>Executive Committee of\u00a0the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in\u00a0Tashkent<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>Key Highlights of the EAM\u2019s Address at SCO<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Lack of Trust and Cooperation: Veiled Reference to Pakistan and China<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>EAM highlighted the importance of trust, cooperation, and good neighborly relations, subtly referencing challenges with Pakistan and China.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>He stressed the need for introspection where friendship and cooperation have fallen short, pointing to issues like cross-border terrorism and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which India believes violates its territorial integrity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Key Challenges: Terrorism, Separatism, and Extremism<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Jaishankar underscored the three key challenges that the SCO was established to address: <strong>terrorism, separatism, and extremism<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>He reiterated that activities across borders marked by these issues hinder trade, connectivity, and regional development, emphasizing the need for peace and stability to foster economic growth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Call for Multilateralism and Reform<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>The minister advocated for reformed multilateralism, especially regarding the United Nations Security Council, where India seeks permanent membership.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>He stressed the importance of ensuring developing countries&#8217; representation in global institutions to make them more inclusive, effective, and democratic.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Regional Cooperation and Connectivity<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Jaishankar highlighted India&#8217;s support for regional cooperation through initiatives like the International Solar Alliance, Mission LiFE, and digital public infrastructure.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>He also emphasized the potential for expanded trade, energy flows, and connectivity within the SCO region if countries cooperate genuinely, calling for partnerships based on mutual respect and sovereignty.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Pakistan\u2019s SCO Presidency and Call for Unity<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Jaishankar congratulated <strong>Pakistan on its SCO presidency<\/strong> and urged for unity in addressing global challenges, including economic disruptions, climate change, and health crises.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>He emphasized that collaboration in areas like industry, MSMEs, and environmental protection could unlock significant opportunities for regional prosperity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>India-Pakistan Foreign Ministers Hold First Talks in 9 Years<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Jaishankar and Dar Engage in Talks at SCO Meeting<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>For the first time since 2015, EAM S. Jaishankar and his Pakistanis counterpart Muhammad Ishaq Dar engaged in direct talks.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>These conversations occurred on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Islamabad, marking a significant diplomatic moment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Preliminary Discussions on Resuming Cricket Ties<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>The discussions explored the possibility of resuming cricketing ties between India and Pakistan, with a focus on India potentially participating in the Champions Trophy hosted by Pakistan in February 2025.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>While these talks were still in their early stages, the conversations opened a potential pathway for improving bilateral relations through sports diplomacy.\n<ul>\n<li>India&#8217;s participation in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan would mark the Indian cricket team&#8217;s first visit across the border in 17 years.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><strong>Q.1. What were the key topics discussed by India at the SCO Summit 2024?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>India focused on challenges like terrorism, separatism, and extremism, while also advocating for multilateral reforms and stronger regional cooperation in areas like trade, connectivity, and energy.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Q.2. What is the significance of Jaishankar&#8217;s conversation with Pakistan&#8217;s Foreign Minister at SCO 2024?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>It marked the first direct dialogue between India and Pakistan&#8217;s foreign ministers since 2015, with preliminary discussions on resuming cricket ties, signaling potential diplomatic thawing.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Source:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/india\/territorial-integrity-to-terror-jaishankar-takes-swipe-at-china-pakistan-9624060\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Territorial integrity to terror, Jaishankar takes swipe at China, Pakistan<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/eng.sectsco.org\/20170109\/192193.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">SCO<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mea.gov.in\/Speeches-Statements.htm?dtl\/38427\/Remarks_by_External_Affairs_Minister_Dr_S_Jaishankar_at_the_23rd_Meeting_of_the_SCO_Council_of_Heads_of_Government\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">MEA<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/india\/india-pakistan-open-window-cricket-on-table-ministers-hold-talks-9624059\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Indian Express<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 2024 SCO Summit in Islamabad witnessed India&#8217;s External Affairs Minister Jaishankar emphasizing trust, multilateralism, and cooperation, while exploring diplomatic ties with Pakistan.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":42996,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-42995","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-upsc-mains-current-affairs","8":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42995","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42995"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42995\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42996"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42995"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42995"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42995"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}