SUMMARY of the Article “SCO’s Future,” by Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Dawn, September 22nd, 2024

The article examines the upcoming heads of government meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to be hosted by Pakistan on October 15-16, 2024. The SCO, which originated from the Shanghai Five in 1996, has expanded over the years to include Pakistan, India, Iran, and Belarus. Representing nearly 80% of Eurasian landmass, 40% of the global population, and 30% of the world’s GDP, the SCO was initially seen as a potential land bridge between Asia and Europe, eliciting concerns from the West due to its perceived opposition to US-led global systems. However, internal dynamics, particularly India’s ambivalence towards the SCO, have weakened its cohesion. India, once a committed member, has begun to distance itself due to the organization’s perceived anti-Western stance, as seen in Prime Minister Modi’s absence from recent summits and a shift towards virtual engagements. India’s strained relations with China and Pakistan further complicate its role within the SCO, hampering initiatives like regional connectivity and anti-terrorism efforts. The article discusses India’s efforts to counter China’s influence in Central Asia and its opposition to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, particularly the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Additionally, India’s “offensive defense” strategy against Pakistan has undermined the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure. With growing interest in the expanded BRICS group, including countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran, both China and Russia appear to be shifting focus away » Read More…