New Delhi: The virtual Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, hosted by India on Tuesday, is anticipated to address regional security, economic connectivity, and trade and to be held under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The summit will also mark the inclusion of Iran as the newest member of the Eurasian grouping. Notable leaders attending the virtual summit include Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. This will be Putin's first multilateral meeting since the brief rebellion in Russia by the Wagner mercenary group on June 24.
India, as the chair of the SCO for the first time since becoming a full member in 2017, will oversee the summit. During the summit, Iran will join as a full member, and Belarus is expected to sign a memorandum of obligations to become a member state. The backdrop of the summit is set against India’s strained relations with China and Pakistan. The military standoff between India and China on the Line of Actual Control over the past three years has led to the lowest point in bilateral relations in six decades. Additionally, ties between New Delhi and Islamabad have been affected by the issue of terrorism.
The virtual summit will address several topics, including the security situation in Afghanistan, the Ukraine crisis, and strengthening cooperation between SCO states. The discussions will particularly focus on enhancing economic connectivity and trade. India has taken numerous steps in recent years to improve connectivity and trade with central Asian states. The theme for India’s presidency of the SCO is “SECURE,” which stands for security, economic development, connectivity, unity, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and environmental protection. As part of the emphasis on regional security, India has advocated for greater cooperation on de-radicalization strategies.
India has also identified five pillars and focus areas of cooperation under the SCO, which include start-ups and innovation, digital inclusion, empowering youth, traditional medicine, and shared Buddhist heritage. The joint declaration and other documents issued at the end of the summit are expected to feature new initiatives in these sectors. Additionally, representatives from two SCO bodies—the secretariat and Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS)—and six multilateral organizations will participate in the summit. These organizations include the United Nations, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Collective Security Treaty Organization, and Eurasian Economic Union.
The SCO, established in 2001, consists of India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. India’s association with the grouping began as an observer in 2005. Sameer Patil, a security expert based in Mumbai, suggested that logistical challenges in ensuring the in-person attendance of the Chinese and Russian presidents may have influenced the decision to hold the summit virtually. Patil emphasized that while the SCO’s focus remains on connectivity and trade, the larger context, such as Russia’s ongoing issues with the West over the Ukraine crisis and India’s standoff with China, should not be overlooked. Any cooperation agreed upon during the summit will be subject to this broader context.
