23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in news?
• Iran in the SCO
• Background
• Changing geopolitical landscape
• Why Russia and China wanted the inclusion of Iran in SCO?
• Tightrope walk for India
• Key highlights of the speech delivered by PM Modi

 

Why in news?

• Under India’s first-ever Chairmanship, the 23^rd Summit of the SCO Council of Heads of State was held in the virtual format. 
  • At the end of summit, India handed over the presidency of the bloc to Kazakhstan at the summit.
• It was chaired by PM Modi and President Xi of China, PM Sharif of Pakistan and President Vladimir Putin of Russia attended the summit.
• India, as a chair of the summit, welcomed Iran as the newest member of the SCO.

 

Iran in the SCO

Background

• The case for Iran’s full membership of the SCO has been made for several years.
• After Iran signed the nuclear deal (called JCPOA) with Western powers led by the United States, Russia’s President Putin had made a strong case for Iran’s membership in the SCO.

Changing geopolitical landscape

• Increasing influence of China
  • The chaotic exit of the US from Afghanistan has opened up space for Chinese influence and investments in the Central Asian region. 
  • China has drawn Pakistan more tightly in its strategic embrace, and grown ever more assertive on the global stage.
  • As the war in Ukraine has raged on, and the West’s relations with Russia have plummeted to their worst-ever levels, Beijing has declared a “no-limits” friendship with Moscow.
• Iran reaching out to non-traditional ally
  • Iran has reached out beyond traditional ally Russia. 
  • In March 2023, it signed a China-brokered deal to re-establish diplomatic relations with its old regional rival, Saudi Arabia. 
  • A border market was opened at Iran’s border with Pakistan in 2023, despite the fact that they have not shared close ties over the years.

 

Why Russia and China wanted the inclusion of Iran in SCO?

• China
  • For China, having Iran, with its abundant energy supplies, in the SCO is reassuring as it escalates the tussle with the US. 
    • In 2021, China and Iran signed a 25-year deal for cooperation in areas including oil. 
  • A Bloomberg report this year noted that private refiners in China are now buying more Iranian oil as competition for supplies from Russia rises in Asia.
• Russia
  • Russia has every reason to have more allies on the platform. 
    • Iran and Russia are strategic allies and form an axis in the Caucasus alongside Armenia. 
    • Iran and Russia are also military allies in the conflicts in Syria and Iraq and partners in Afghanistan and post-Soviet Central Asia.
  • Belarus, Russia’s close regional ally, is likely to sign a memorandum of obligations, which will subsequently lead to full membership.

 

Tightrope walk for India

• India faces the task of maintaining a delicate balance as the dynamics of the SCO change.
• India and the US have elevated their partnership to unprecedented levels of cooperation and trust.
  •  PM Modi has recently returned from an Official State Visit to the US during which the two countries signed important technology and defence agreements.
• India has also had historical ties with Iran. Commercial ties between India and Iran have been traditionally dominated by Indian imports of Iranian crude oil. 
  • Iran was among India’s top energy suppliers until May 2019. 
    • Following the end of the US waiver on sanctions on May 2, 2019, India suspended the import of crude from Iran.
  • India and Iran are working towards maximising the utilisation of the Chabahar port. 
  • India and Iran are important players in the International North-South Transport Corridor.
    • The corridor can serve as a secure and efficient route for landlocked countries in Central Asia to access the Indian Ocean.

 

Key highlights of the speech delivered by PM Modi

• Issue of cross-border terrorism
  • In remarks targeting China and Pakistan, PM Modi said that some countries use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of their policies.
  • The SCO should not hesitate to criticise such nations because there can be no place for double standards on such serious matters.
    • Delhi has been repeatedly pointing out that Islamabad uses terrorist groups as instruments of state policy.
    • Beijing has been blocking the listing of Pakistan-based terrorists at the UN Security Council (UNSC).
• On China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
  • He said that while executing connectivity projects, it is essential to respect the sovereignty and regional integrity of member countries of the SCO.
    • He made those reference with respect to CPEC.
• Highlighted important role played by RATS (regional anti-terrorist structure) mechanism
  • We need to enhance mutual cooperation in dealing with terror financing as well. 
  • The RATS mechanism of SCO has played a significant role in this regard. We should also take proactive steps to prevent the spread of radicalisation among our youth.
• Referred to the Russia-Ukraine war
  • The Prime Minister also referred to the Russia-Ukraine war, without mentioning it explicitly, and its impact on the world.
  • The present times mark a crucial phase in global affairs. In a world surrounded by conflicts, tensions and pandemics, food, fuel, and fertiliser crises are a significant challenge for all nations.
• Raised the situation in Afghanistan
  • Humanitarian assistance to Afghan citizens, the formation of an inclusive government, the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking, and ensuring the rights of women, children and minorities are our shared priorities.
  • He also emphasised that the Afghanistan’s territory must not be used to spread instability in neighbouring countries or to encourage extremist ideologies.

 

---

Q1) What is International North-South Transport Corridor?

The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is a multimodal transportation network that aims to connect the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea, and further extend the connectivity to Central Asia, Russia, and Europe. It is a major infrastructure project designed to facilitate and enhance trade and transportation between these regions.

 

Q2) What is Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) of SCO?

The Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) is a specialized agency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) focused on counterterrorism efforts. The SCO is an intergovernmental organization comprising eight member states, including China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, and Pakistan. RATS was established in 2004 to coordinate and facilitate cooperation among member states in combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism.

 

---

Source: Iran in the SCO: The background, context, and relevance | PIB | MEA | The Hindu | Indian Express