India’s role and perspectives related to SCO

In light of the recent summit, this article seeks to shed light on India's role, which was previously an observer state but is now a permanent member (since 2017) of SCO, as well as India's perspectives on SCO. However, before that, a basic comprehension of SCO's objective is required. The SCO's objectives are to first improve ties among members, then advance cooperation in political affairs, economic commerce, scientific-technical, cultural, and educational domains, as well as in energy and the environment; third, protect regional peace, security, and stability; and finally, develop a democratic, equitable international political and economic order.

India's role and perspective on the SCO

SCO- a great way to connect with Central Asia

India, the largest country in South Asia, shares borders with Pakistan, China, Nepal, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. It does not, however, border any of the Central Asian nations of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, or Kyrgyzstan. In addition to serving as a physical connection between Asia and Europe, Central Asia was significant to India because it was a rich source of natural resources and an extended neighbourhood. But, in the absence of direct connectivity with Central Asia, India found it increasingly difficult to seek their cooperation or collaboration on a wide range of concerns.  However, since joining the SCO, India has been able to connect with Central Asia, and its connections with the Central Asian nations are growing stronger every day. For example, in 2022, the world witnessed the inaugural India-Central Asia Summit. With this, India now has a channel through which it can communicate with Central Asia on a regular and direct basis. Additionally, during the last SCO summit in Samarkand, India, and the president of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, had a bilateral discussion wherein the two leaders addressed possible areas of cooperation, including commerce, economics, connectivity, Afghanistan, and terrorism.

SCO- a platform to deal with Pakistan and China

Pakistan and China form India's northern and western and northern and eastern borders, respectively. India has historically experienced contentious relations with these two nations, which is why India-China and India-Pakistan frequently clash. Border disputes, river water sharing disputes, terrorism-related disputes, and many more issues fall under this category of tense ties. Due to the antagonistic relationship, it can be difficult to resolve the situation through mutually agreed-upon dialogues and agreements. In this context, SCO is essential. Because they are all members of SCO, they are all required to attend SCO meetings, such as meetings of senior-level officials.

Second, China enjoys favourable relationships with the nations of central Asia, both historically and geographically. It also has a lengthy border with three Central Asian nations. In this setting, it was crucial for India to join the SCO in order to maintain parity with China. Third, the SCO has given China and India a platform through which they can frequently have productive discussions about a variety of topics, such as joint counterterrorism drills and AIIB membership.

SCO- a platform to counter Terrorism

To counter Terrorism/Separatism/Extremism, the SCO has a body called Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS). The body’s main task is to tackle the issues of terrorism, separatism, and extremism; to provide assistance to those countries which are engaged in counterterrorism and to draft legal international documents on the same. It also maintains a database of terrorists and terror organisations from across its member countries. For India, this mechanism of SCO is very crucial as it provides India a space to address issues critical to regional stability. For instance, India recently hosted the SCO-RATS meeting as the group's chair. The member nations came to an agreement during the meeting to act in concert to counter the risks posed by international terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan. According to reports in the Economic Times, the Pakistan Army has been encouraging and aiding terrorist organizations in Afghanistan; thus, the decision to take joint action against these groups is critical since it can not only limit Pakistan's participation but also hold Pakistan accountable for its actions. (SCO-RATS to counter terror groups operating from Afghanistan, 2022)

Second, RATS has a track record of successfully preventing terrorism. For instance, the Observer Research Foundation stated that "RATS has successfully stopped 20 terror acts, neutralized 1,700 terrorists, and led to the arrest of 2,700 members of terror organizations between 2011 and 2015" in a report outlining the effectiveness of RATS. Additionally, this anti-terrorism agency dismantled 440 terrorist camps, protected member nations from 650 terrorist-related crimes, and collected 450,000 rounds of ammunition and more than 52 tons of explosives from various terrorist groups. (Wani, 2022)

Challenges for India

Although India has many opportunities from which it might benefit, its role is being constrained due to several challenges. The domination of China is the first of these problems. The Belt and Road Initiative of China already includes Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan. India, meanwhile, is adamantly opposed to this initiative. As a result, the efficacy of project implementation is limited by divergent interests on distinct initiatives.

Second, India lacks direct connectivity with both Central Asian countries and Russia. Third, the group includes two powerful nations: China and Russia. Fourth, the Pakistan-China nexus exists. Finally, there are many different perspectives on what constitutes terrorism. India and some of the other countries have differing perspectives on terrorism. For instance, India cites state-sponsored cross-border terrorism, but according to the SCO, terrorism also refers to the upheaval of a regime. While organizations like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jayesh-e-Mohammad, Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, the Afghan Taliban, and the Haqqani Network are not covered under the SCO's anti-terror framework, it targets organizations like the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) and Al-Qaeda. As a result, SCO's anti-terrorism efforts are not producing good results.

Way forward

The SCO is a well-known platform via which India can engage with its regional counterparts on a variety of regional, security, and political matters on a regular basis. India, though, needs to be considerably more proactive in the grouping if it is to play a greater role. For instance, India can draw on its long-standing civilizational ties with Central Asia to compete with China in the region. India can benefit from its connections with Iran and Russia in addition to CARs. India can also improve its standing within the group by using both its growing economic influence and its youthful population.

References

1. SCO-RATS to counter terror groups operating from Afghanistan. (2022, October 15). Retrieved from The Economic Times: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/sco-rats-to-counter-terror-groups-operating-from-afghanistan/articleshow/94869138.cms?from=mdr
2. Wani, A. (2022, May 26). India’s unaddressed concerns from the SCO-RATS summit. Retrieved from ORF: https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/indias-unaddressed-concerns-from-the-sco-rats-summit/

Pic Courtsey-Pankaj Jha

(The views expressed are those of the author and do not represent views of CESCUBE.)