Why in news?

The 23rd Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG) was held on October 16, 2024, in Islamabad, Pakistan. The summit concentrated on the bloc’s trade and economic agenda.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar led the Indian delegation at the summit. Jaishankar's visit marks the first by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan in nine years, highlighting the significance of India's participation in the SCO despite ongoing bilateral tensions.

What’s in today’s article?

• About SCO
• Key Highlights of the EAM’s Address at SCO
• India-Pakistan Foreign Ministers Hold First Talks in 9 Years

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)

• About
  • SCO is a permanent intergovernmental international organisation, created in June 2001 in Shanghai (China).
  • Founding members included Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan.
    • The five countries had come together to work on regional security, reduction of border troops, and terrorism in the post-Soviet era in 1996.
  • In 2001, the Shanghai Five inducted Uzbekistan into the group and named it the SCO outlining its principles in a charter that promoted what was called the Shanghai spirit of cooperation.
• Official working languages: Chinese, Russian
• SCO Secretariat: Beijing, China
• Members & Observers
  • 10 member states – China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Iran and Belarus.
    • India and Pakistan became full members at the Heads of State Council meet in Astana in 2017.
    • Iran became the 9th member of the SCO in 2023 under the chairmanship of India.
    • Belarus officially joined the SCO in July 2024, and became its 10th member state.
  • 2 Observer members – Afghanistan, Mongolia
• Organisational Structure of SCO
  • The Heads of State Council (HSC) is the supreme decision-making body in the SCO. It meets once a year and decide upon all the important issues of the Organization. 
  • The Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) (CHG) is the second highest body of the organization.
    • It meets once a year to discuss the strategy of multilateral cooperation and priority areas within the Organization, determine fundamental and topical issues in economic and other spheres, and approve the budget of the SCO.
  • In addition to the meetings of the CHS and the CHG, there are also mechanisms for meetings on foreign affairs, national defense, security, economy and trade etc.
  • The Organization has 2 standing bodies — the Secretariat in Beijing and the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in Tashkent.

Key Highlights of the EAM’s Address at SCO

• Lack of Trust and Cooperation: Veiled Reference to Pakistan and China
  • EAM highlighted the importance of trust, cooperation, and good neighborly relations, subtly referencing challenges with Pakistan and China.
  • 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.
• Key Challenges: Terrorism, Separatism, and Extremism
  • Jaishankar underscored the three key challenges that the SCO was established to address: terrorism, separatism, and extremism.
  • 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.
• Call for Multilateralism and Reform
  • The minister advocated for reformed multilateralism, especially regarding the United Nations Security Council, where India seeks permanent membership.
  • He stressed the importance of ensuring developing countries' representation in global institutions to make them more inclusive, effective, and democratic.
• Regional Cooperation and Connectivity
  • Jaishankar highlighted India's support for regional cooperation through initiatives like the International Solar Alliance, Mission LiFE, and digital public infrastructure.
  • 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.
• Pakistan’s SCO Presidency and Call for Unity
  • Jaishankar congratulated Pakistan on its SCO presidency and urged for unity in addressing global challenges, including economic disruptions, climate change, and health crises.
  • He emphasized that collaboration in areas like industry, MSMEs, and environmental protection could unlock significant opportunities for regional prosperity.

India-Pakistan Foreign Ministers Hold First Talks in 9 Years

• Jaishankar and Dar Engage in Talks at SCO Meeting
  • For the first time since 2015, EAM S. Jaishankar and his Pakistanis counterpart Muhammad Ishaq Dar engaged in direct talks.
  • These conversations occurred on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Islamabad, marking a significant diplomatic moment.
• Preliminary Discussions on Resuming Cricket Ties
  • 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.
  • While these talks were still in their early stages, the conversations opened a potential pathway for improving bilateral relations through sports diplomacy.
    • India's participation in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan would mark the Indian cricket team's first visit across the border in 17 years.