Islamabad successfully hosted the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit on October 15-16, 2024. This important diplomatic event brought together various regional leaders.
However, the summit is also an opportunity for Pakistan to showcase its diplomatic capabilities and for India to engage in multilateral discussions. The presence of both Indian and Chinese leaders provides a chance for indirect dialogue, which could help ease tensions.
The SCO Summit 2024 featured many leaders, including India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Prime Ministers from China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Iran’s First Vice-President. This is the first high-level visit by an Indian official to Pakistan in almost nine years. The summit serveed as a showcase of Pakistan’s diplomatic skills and its efforts to strengthen relations with participating nations.
What is the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation?
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is an intergovernmental international body. It was established on June 15, 2001, in Shanghai, China. The organisation expanded to nine member countries when India and Pakistan joined in 2017. Russia pushed for India’s inclusion, seeing it as a strategic partner, while China backed Pakistan to maintain a balance of power in the region.
India became an observer in the SCO in 2005 and has been actively participating in its meetings. The SCO addresses issues of security and economic collaboration in the Eurasian region. It has grown into a significant coalition for economic and security matters, becoming one of the largest international organisations of its kind.
Host and Key Issues of SCO Summit 2024
Pakistan is hosting the summit under its rotating chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG). Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will lead the discussions. The summit addressed crucial topics such as regional security, economic cooperation, and combating terrorism. India’s participation reflects its interest in multilateral dialogue, despite its firm stance on cross-border terrorism and regional stability.
The backdrop of the Summit: India-Pakistan Tension
The SCO Summit 2024 is happening amidst strained relations between India and Pakistan. Tensions have been high since the 2019 Pulwama attack and India’s airstrike in Pakistan that followed. Relations further worsened when India revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in August 2019.
Since then, issues such as cross-border terrorism and the Kashmir conflict remain unresolved. Both nations have ruled out bilateral discussions during the summit. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar has emphasized India’s commitment to peaceful relations but made it clear that it is not possible without tackling terrorism from Pakistan.
Former Pakistani Foreign Minister Khursheed Mahmood Kasuri called Jaishankar’s visit a positive step. He suggested it might help ease tensions between the two countries. Kasuri noted that given the current state of relations, India could have chosen a lower-level delegation, but it did not. He highlighted the unpredictability of India-Pakistan relations and hoped that dialogue could lead to restoring road, rail, and air links.
Border Dispute and India-China Relations
At the same time, tensions between India and China continue over border disputes. The summit in Islamabad may provide a chance for indirect dialogue between the two countries, possibly easing some complexities of regional geopolitics.
Last month, Jaishankar said that ties between India and China are “significantly disturbed.” The main issue, he said, is the patrolling activities along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). He referred to the Galwan clash that happened in 2020, highlighting that patrolling arrangements have been disrupted since then.
He also mentioned India’s challenging history with China, including the 1962 conflict. He noted that it took 14 years for both countries to send back ambassadors after the war and another 12 years to reach a working relationship.
Internal Situation in Pakistan
Apart from international diplomatic concerns, Pakistan is facing major internal challenges. The political opposition, led by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, has organized protests against Shehbaz Sharif’s government. They demand the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is in jail, and criticize the ruling coalition. This has led to increased tensions within Islamabad, and authorities have imposed strict security measures.
A lockdown has been implemented in Islamabad. There is an increased presence of police and military personnel. Authorities have banned public gatherings to prevent unrest, and a three-day public holiday has been declared for the summit.
Heightened Security in Pakistan
To ensure the safety of around 900 delegates attending the summit, the government has deployed over 10,000 police and paramilitary personnel. Meetings will take place in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. In Rawalpindi, authorities have enforced Section 144 until October 17, which prohibits political gatherings and demonstrations to maintain public order.
Local traders and hotel owners have been warned about the regulations, and violations will lead to penalties. Security at Adiala Jail, where former Prime Minister Imran Khan is held, has also been increased, and access has been restricted for his supporters, legal team, and family members.
Significance of SCO Summit 2024
The SCO Summit 2024 is a key diplomatic event for the region. It brings together major players like China, Russia, and India, along with Central Asian countries. It is an opportunity for Pakistan to showcase its leadership in regional diplomacy and for India to engage in multilateral discussions. However, underlying tensions, particularly between India and Pakistan and India and China, pose challenges to achieving tangible progress.
The summit’s focus on security, economic cooperation, and terrorism will be crucial for regional stability. SCO, as an organization, aims to foster collaboration among member countries on these issues. But the strained relations between key members add complexity to the discussions.
Challenges and Opportunities
Hosting the SCO Summit is a significant moment for Pakistan. It is an opportunity for the country to demonstrate its diplomatic capabilities. However, the internal political situation and ongoing protests pose a challenge. The presence of international leaders in Islamabad means that the government needs to maintain stability and security.
For India, the summit is an opportunity to engage in regional dialogue. Despite tensions with both Pakistan and China, India’s participation underscores its commitment to multilateralism. By attending the summit, India is demonstrating its willingness to be a part of discussions that impact the region’s future.
The presence of both Indian and Chinese leaders also presents an opportunity for indirect dialogue. While there are no plans for formal bilateral meetings, the summit environment allows for interactions that could help ease tensions, even if only slightly. The strained India-China relations, particularly over border issues, have been a major concern for regional stability. Any opportunity for dialogue, even if informal, is significant.
Economic Cooperation and Trade
One of the main objectives of the SCO is to foster economic cooperation among its members. The summit in Islamabad will focus on ways to enhance trade and economic collaboration. Central Asian countries are rich in natural resources, and there is potential for greater economic ties within the region.
India, as one of the largest economies in the SCO, has a key role to play in these discussions. Enhanced trade relations can benefit all member countries. However, political tensions, particularly between India and Pakistan, pose a challenge to realizing the full potential of economic cooperation.
Combating Terrorism
Combating terrorism is another key focus of the SCO. The member countries have been working together to address security threats. For India, terrorism originating from Pakistan remains a major concern. The summit provides a platform for India to raise this issue and emphasize the need for collective action.
Pakistan, on the other hand, sees the summit as an opportunity to counter India’s narrative. By hosting the summit, Pakistan aims to show its commitment to combating terrorism and fostering regional stability. However, the presence of Indian leadership means that the issue of cross-border terrorism is likely to be a point of contention.
Role of Central Asian Countries
The Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, are important players in the SCO. These countries are rich in natural resources and are key to regional connectivity projects. The summit will discuss initiatives to enhance connectivity, trade, and economic collaboration in the region.
These countries also have an interest in maintaining regional stability. Terrorism and extremism pose a threat to their security, and they are keen to work with other SCO members to address these challenges. The summit will provide a platform for these countries to voice their concerns and engage in discussions on regional security.
Iran’s Participation
Iran, which became a full member of the SCO in 2023, will be represented by its First Vice-President. Iran’s inclusion in the SCO is significant for the region. It adds another important player to the discussions on security and economic cooperation. Iran’s strategic location and its energy resources make it a valuable member of the SCO.
The summit will provide an opportunity for Iran to engage with other member countries and discuss areas of cooperation. Iran’s relations with both India and Pakistan are complex, but the SCO provides a platform for dialogue and engagement.
Mongolia and Turkmenistan
Mongolia and Turkmenistan, both observer countries, will also participate in the summit. Their presence highlights the importance of the SCO as a regional forum. These countries have an interest in engaging with the SCO members and being a part of discussions on regional security and economic cooperation.
The SCO provides an opportunity for these countries to engage with major regional players and explore areas of collaboration. The participation of Mongolia and Turkmenistan adds to the diversity of the summit and highlights the importance of the SCO as a platform for regional engagement.
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SCO Summit 2024 Pakistan attended by Jaishankar: Key takeaways
SCO Meeting in Pakistan: The SCO meet saw some cautious movement on India-Pakistan ties, while India remained the only member to not endorse China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Here is all you need to know about what happened at the meeting.
SCO Summit, S Jaishankar Pakistan Visit: The heads of government meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was attended by India, Pakistan, China, Russia and six other member countries on Wednesday (October 17). External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar travelled to Islamabad for the meeting, the first such visit in nine years.
The meeting saw some cautious movement on India-Pakistan ties, while India remained the only SCO member to not endorse China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Jaishankar also flagged India’s concerns about China and Pakistan in veiled references.
The SCO’s member countries are India, China, Pakistan, Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus.
Here are the key takeaways from the meeting:
Is cricket back on the table for India and Pakistan?
Jaishankar and his Pakistani counterpart Muhammad Ishaq Dar, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, spoke twice in less than 24 hours, and there were indications that these talks explored the idea of resuming some form of cricketing ties between the two countries. Sources underlined that these conversations are preliminary, but the talks open a window and a possible first step could be the Champions Trophy being hosted by Pakistan next February.
Jaishankar message to Pakistan, China
“If we fast-forward from the inception of the [SCO’s] Charter to the situation today, these goals and these tasks are even more crucial… If trust is lacking or cooperation inadequate, if friendship has fallen short and good neighbourliness is missing somewhere, there are surely reasons to introspect and causes to address,” he said.
The SCO Charter lists among its “main goals and tasks” the strengthening of “mutual trust, friendship and good neighborliness between the member States” and also “combating terrorism, separatism and extremism”.
In a reference to Pakistan, Jaishankar said, “If activities across borders are characterised by terrorism, extremism and separatism, they are hardly likely to encourage trade, energy flows, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges in parallel.”
In what is being seen as a reference to China and its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), he said, “Cooperation must be based on mutual respect and sovereign equality. It should recognise territorial integrity and sovereignty. It must be built on genuine partnerships, not unilateral agendas. It cannot progress if we cherry-pick global practices, especially of trade and transit.”
The Belt and Road Initiative
China’s President Xi Jinping announced the ‘Belt’ during his visits to Kazakhstan in 2013. The ‘Belt’ plan was to revitalise a series of trading and infrastructure routes between Asia and Europe. Connectivity through Central Asia was a key element of the initiative. Subsequently, Xi announced a sea trade infrastructure called ‘Road’. This maritime ‘Road’ would connect China with Southeast Asia, Europe and Africa. The major focus has been to build ports, bridges, industry corridors and other infrastructure throughout South East Asia and the Indian Ocean.
India has always opposed the BRI on grounds of territorial integrity and sovereignty, as it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. New Delhi has also highlighted that countries in which BRI projects are built risk falling into China’s debt trap.
Pakistan, meanwhile, is an enthusiastic supporter of BRI, as the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a key part of BRI, envisages significant infrastructure development in the country.
At the current meeting, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the project should not be looked at through “a narrow political prism”. “Let us not look at such projects through the narrow political prism, and invest in our collective connectivity capacities which are crucial to advancing the shared vision of an economically integrated region,” he said.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang, without naming BRI, said, “We should continue to draw impetus from openness and cooperation, boost the region’s trade and investment facilitation and connectivity, and maintain stable and smooth industrial and supply chains.”
Pakistani newspaper Dawn reported that a joint communique at the end of the SCO meeting, “while reaffirming support for the People’s Republic of China’s One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative noted ongoing work on joint implementation of the project…”
India did not endorse this communique.
Sanctions, trade protectionism raised
The SCO meeting saw criticism of “unilateral sanctions” that Western nations have imposed on members like Russia and Iran.
“The heads of delegations emphasised that the unilateral application of sanctions is incompatible with the principles of international law and has a negative impact on third countries and international economic relations,” the communique said, according to Dawn.
Sanctions on Iran and China affect the capabilities of smaller, needier nations to trade with them, as they fear a backlash from the US and other western countries. Pakistan is a prime example.
(India CSR)
