SCO offerings and Pakistan, India relations

The 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) will be held in Islamabad on October 15-16, 2024. The SCO aims to discuss new global security arrangements, economic reforms, and global connectivity, especially for the Global South. Though the SCO has resolved most border disputes among Central Asian states, the question remains whether it can help resolve issues between Pakistan and India, particularly the Kashmir conflict. The SCO’s roots lie in the Shanghai Five, a group focused on border security and trust-building among its members. The article raises critical questions about whether Pakistan and India can achieve similar cooperation under the SCO’s framework, especially in people-to-people contact and trade. The article also emphasizes the importance of visionary dreams, acknowledging that while Indo-Pak ties remain strained, platforms like the SCO could pave the way for improved relations.

Overview

This article explores the potential role of the SCO in fostering cooperation between Pakistan and India, particularly regarding border disputes and trade. It reviews the historical success of the SCO in resolving border issues among Central Asian states and raises the question of whether this success can be replicated between South Asian neighbors. The article also touches on the origins of the SCO from the Shanghai Five and the treaties focused on military trust and reduction in border regions. While the SCO has enabled greater connectivity and trade among Central Asian states, similar progress between India and Pakistan remains a distant dream.

NOTES

1. International Relations: It discusses regional organizations like the SCO and their role in fostering cooperation and resolving disputes among member states, including Pakistan and India.

2. Pakistan Affairs: The article delves into Pakistan’s role in the SCO and the broader implications for its foreign policy, especially with India and Central Asia.

3. Current Affairs: The upcoming SCO meeting and its potential impact on global and regional diplomacy are important developments to keep an eye on.

4. Political Science: It touches on political philosophy concerning global security, connectivity, and new world orders, which can be useful for understanding evolving global dynamics.

Notes for Beginners with Examples

1. SCO’s Role: The SCO has helped resolve border disputes among its member countries. For example, China and Kyrgyzstan have settled their border disagreements through SCO meetings.

2. Trust-Building Measures: Like the Central Asian states, the SCO promotes military trust-building measures, such as limiting military activities near borders. India and Pakistan could benefit from such initiatives, but this remains a challenge.

3. Trade Cooperation: Central Asian countries enjoy high trade through soft visa regimes within the SCO. For instance, Kazakhstan and Russia have enhanced their economic ties. However, trade between India and Pakistan under the SCO framework remains a distant possibility due to ongoing political tensions.

Facts and Figures

– Pakistan and India became full members of the SCO on June 9, 2017. 

– The SCO has resolved 90% of border disputes among its Central Asian members. 

– The Shanghai Five, established in 1996, laid the groundwork for the SCO by addressing border security between China and its neighbors.

To sum up, this article provides a comprehensive analysis of the potential for the SCO to enhance cooperation between Pakistan and India, particularly in resolving border disputes and increasing trade. While the SCO has been successful in Central Asia, applying the same model to South Asia remains a challenge due to the strained relations between India and Pakistan. Nonetheless, the article emphasizes that visionary thinking and dreamers can drive change, suggesting that platforms like the SCO offer hope for improved relations in the future. For CSS aspirants, this article is useful for understanding the role of international organizations, regional diplomacy, and the complexities of Pakistan-India relations.

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