Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discussion

The Strategic Issues & International Relations Forum is a venue to discuss issues pertaining to India's security environment, her strategic outlook on global affairs and as well as the effect of international relations in the Indian Subcontinent. We request members to kindly stay within the mandate of this forum and keep their exchanges of views, on a civilised level, however vehemently any disagreement may be felt. All feedback regarding forum usage may be sent to the moderators using the Feedback Form or by clicking the Report Post Icon in any objectionable post for proper action. Please note that the views expressed by the Members and Moderators on these discussion boards are that of the individuals only and do not reflect the official policy or view of the Bharat-Rakshak.com Website. Copyright Violation is strictly prohibited and may result in revocation of your posting rights - please read the FAQ for full details. Users must also abide by the Forum Guidelines at all times.
Tuvaluan
BRFite
Posts: 1816
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discuss

Post by Tuvaluan »

Austin wrote: SCO has been existing like 15 years before India and Pakistan is planning to join and its a well oiled and greased machine conducting many military exercises althought anti-terrorism in nature.
Yes, that is true and also irrelevant to the question of whether an organization run by China with a spoiler like Pakistan, that is supported in its terrorism by China, is of any use to India. SCO existing for 15 years in another form is not relevant to what it can do for India now.
SCO was founded in 2001 in Shanghai by the leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
On the other hand, I do not see China having a veto on SCO matters as far as I can tell from online sources. So India being part of the SCO is better than being out of it.
ramana
Forum Moderator
Posts: 59773
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discuss

Post by ramana »

I think India should let SCO take Pakistan and not bother to join up.
A_Gupta
BRF Oldie
Posts: 12067
Joined: 23 Oct 2001 11:31
Contact:

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discuss

Post by A_Gupta »

SSharma wrote:
A_Gupta wrote:Ngyaanis and Pundits, is some deal between India and China of the following form possible - "you make Central Asia accessible and safe for India (includes handling Munna Pakistan); and we'll keep the Indian Ocean safe for you"? (In particular, China keep its naval profile in the Indian Ocean muted.)
i doubt china needs indian help in IOR, they have more than the moolah and muscle required for such an undertaking
No doubt about their ability. The cost of meeting a combined hostile US, India, ASEAN, ANZUS, Japan -- a hostility that will grow if China keeps growing its naval muscle -- is not to be underestimated however.
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discuss

Post by Austin »

Tuvaluan wrote:Yes, that is true and also irrelevant to the question of whether an organization run by China with a spoiler like Pakistan, that is supported in its terrorism by China, is of any use to India. SCO existing for 15 years in another form is not relevant to what it can do for India now.
US been in Pakistan backyard for 15 years and they could not control its munna to stop terrorism in Afghanistan much less our our side.

I dont think India is joining SCO with the expectation Pakistan will stop terrorism the moment it join and nor is SCO a Indo-Pak matchfield , there are other countries to engage and India has its own interest in Eurasia and engaging China, Russia , other countries of SCO within its framework

On the other hand, I do not see China having a veto on SCO matters as far as I can tell from online sources. So India being part of the SCO is better than being out of it.
Yes , We need to engage SCO for our own interest not because China or Pakistan exisit there.
Samudragupta
BRFite
Posts: 625
Joined: 12 Nov 2010 23:49
Location: Some place in the sphere

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discuss

Post by Samudragupta »

India joining SCO is part of India's strategy to open the road to Central Asia through Punjab/Pakistan because it is still the most economical for Indian goods to reach Afghanistan and Central Asia through this route...In as much it seems to the last option for India... If it does not work which it seems :evil: then well may be Doval is the answer...
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discuss

Post by Austin »

Four myths about SCO expansion

Myth No. 1: India and Pakistan forced their way into the SCO


If one is to believe the headlines in the media, India, and particularly Pakistan, tried to gain entry into the SCO at any cost, and members of the organization supported them. This view makes India and Pakistan appear like some sort of annoying petitioners.

This is completely opposite to the reality. India and Pakistan had expressed interest in the SCO immediately after it was formed. However, their closer ties to the SCO evolved only in response to changes within the organization. Thus, only after 2004, when the SCO adopted a Resolution to give Observer Status in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, did India and Pakistan acquire the status of observer countries. They were granted observer status in 2005.

In 2006, Pakistan applied for full membership in the SCO, and India, in 2010. When the organization adopted new rules in 2010, on the Admission of New Members to the SCO, and also in 2011, when they issued the Memorandum on the Applicant Country’s Obligations for Obtaining Membership in the SCO, India and Pakistan decided again to knock on the organization’s doors. However the membership process began for India and Pakistan only this year.

During their 10 years as observer states, India and Pakistan demonstrated various levels of interest in participating in this organization. This became evident when we look at their levels of participation in the meetings of the SCO Council of Heads of State after they became observers; the Foreign Minister of India and Prime Minister of Pakistan in 2005, India’s Minister of Energy and the President of Pakistan in 2006, India’s Minister of Energy and Foreign Minister of Pakistan in 2007, the presidents of both countries in 2008, the Prime Minister of India and the President of Pakistan in 2009, the Foreign Minister of India and President of Pakistan in 2010, 2011 and 2012, the Foreign Minister of India and Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of Pakistan in 2013 and 2014. The upcoming summit in Ufa would be attended by the prime ministers of India and Pakistan, Narendra Modi and Nawaz Sharif, respectively.

Changes in the levels of representation of India and Pakistan at SCO Summits indicates that, though they spoke about seeking membership in the organization, their real attention to it sometimes grew, and at other times waned.

Myth No. 2: India and Pakistan need the SCO more than the organization needs them


This is a false premise, as if somehow SCO expansion is more needed by India and Pakistan, rather than by the organization itself. This organization, which encompasses a large part of Eurasia, has not been able in all these years of its existence to develop a collective long-term strategy with regard to one of the region’s main problems – Afghanistan. Neither the creation of the SCO -Afghanistan Contact Group in 2005, nor Afghanistan’s observer status granted in 2012, have helped achieve any significant results. This is not the only difficult problem to solve in the Eurasian space without the participation of India and Pakistan.

The SCO is unlikely to achieve any success in Afghanistan, as well as in other areas, if India and Pakistan remain outside the doors of the organization. New Delhi and Islamabad often have opposite views on Afghanistan, and other problems. However, this is the purpose for which the SCO was created in the first place, as well as to find mutually acceptable solutions to other difficult issues.

Myth No. 3: India and Pakistan will destroy the SCO from within


Professor Sergey Luzyanin of the Moscow State University of Foreign Affairs cites the opinion of unnamed experts: “India and Pakistan remain a difficult pair, which in the next 5–7 years will be fighting for the right to join the other Six.” Some experts believe that if this happens, the SCO will cease to exist. That is, the Indo-Pakistani conflict, sooner or later, will explode inside the Organization.

The presence of territorial disputes between India and Pakistan should not pose a problem for the SCO, because among its current members such disputes existed in the past, exist today, and will exist tomorrow. Russia and China resolved their border dispute only in 2005, Tajikistan and China – in 2011. In Central Asia, unresolved border disputes exist between Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. These disputes, even if they do hinder SCO activities, are not so great as to be talked about in public. It is thus difficult to understand why, all of a sudden, the Kashmir problem should blow apart the SCO.

In this regard, it is difficult to accept the supposition of another observer: “All existing disputes between candidate countries should be resolved prior to their entry into the Organization, and only after firm guarantees are given that such countries will not bring their current disputes into the SCO.

How can one demand from India and Pakistan that, which was not required of the SCO member states themselves? If the condition of all disputes being settled prior to entry had been made mandatory before the establishment of the SCO, this organization would never have come into being.

Myth No. 4: India and Pakistan will bring a nuclear standoff to the SCO


There is concern that with India and Pakistan becoming members of the SCO, nuclear rivalry will also be introduced into the organization.

However, the nuclear factor is not a new problem for the SCO. It has been present in the organization from the inception of the SCO, and has not interfered with its development.

In his arguments concerning the Treaty on Intermediate and Short-Range Missiles, the Head of the Presidential Administration Sergey Ivanov and Deputy Defence Minister Anatoly Antonov repeatedly mentioned China as one of the reasons for Russia’s concerns. The newspaper Vzglyad quoted what Ivanov said in this regard in 2013: “The military, in their calculations and planning, always proceed from the worst-case scenarios.”.

If, based on the words of a senior official, the Russian military is taking into account the possibility of a nuclear threat coming from another SCO member, China, and this does not hinder cooperation between Moscow and Beijing within the framework of this organization, then there is reason to believe that nuclear - deterrent relationships that have existed between India and Pakistan for almost six years now, will also not interfere when it comes to their activities in the organization.

***

New states joining the SCO will lead to a significant change in the organization, not only externally, but also internally. We should not expect an easy and painless transformation of the organization. However, there is hardly any alternative to this process, if such an alternative does not take conservation into consideration. Among all the possible candidates for membership in the SCO, India and Pakistan seem the most ready for it. If they should join in the near future, this will benefit not only these two South Asian states, but also the organization itself.

The opinion of the writer may not necessarily reflect the position of RIR.
NRao
BRF Oldie
Posts: 19226
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30
Location: Illini Nation

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discuss

Post by NRao »

When is China starting her own UN?
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discuss

Post by Austin »

http://rt.com/business/272254-russia-brics-sco-summits/
07:29 GMT:

BRICS isn’t discussing the creation of a free trade zone yet, said Russian Minister of Economic Development Aleksey Ulyukaev.
06:57 GMT:

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Pakistan in 2016 to attend the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) summit, said the foreign secretary of India, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, after talks between the prime ministers of India and Pakistan in Ufa.
06:43 GMT:

The China-led Asian Infrastructure Investments Bank (AIIB) and the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB), which will also be headquartered in China, won’t compete with each other, said the director general at the Department of International Economic Cooperation of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"These two banks enjoy great potential for cooperation," Zhang Jun told journalists at the BRICS summary press conference.
06:39 GMT:

The heads of SCO states will draft the organization's strategy until 2025 at the summit in Ufa. The document will define its objectives in detail, said SCO Secretary General Dmitry Mezentsev.
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discuss

Post by Austin »

India, Pakistan accession to SCO may change balance of power on world arena — Uzbek leader
UFA, July 10. /TASS/. The accession of nuclear powers of India and Pakistan to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will not only change the political map, but may also influence the balance of power on the world arena, Uzbekistan’s President Islam Karimov said on Friday.

"How will the accession process of these two states [India and Pakistan] happen taking into consideration that these are not ordinary states but they possess nuclear weapons? If we look through this lens, then tomorrow their accession to the SCO will not simply change the political map, but I think may change the balance of power," Karimov said at the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Russia’s Ufa.

The Uzbek leader proposed to the Russian leader to discuss the issues linked to the accession of new members to the SCO during the upcoming presidency of Uzbekistan in the organization.

The Russian president joked saying that "it will be like: Uzbekistan President Karimov has brought India and Pakistan to the SCO and created a new political world reality," adding: "Let’s talk about that."

At the SCO summit on Friday, the leaders are expected to agree on the accession procedure for India and Pakistan what will give the organization a non-official and alternative status of an association of the "big eight" countries. The membership will be finalized in 2016.

Besides, the six-nation bloc has received applications for observer or dialogue partner status from several countries, such as Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Bangladesh, Sri-Lanka, Syria, Ukraine, Maldives, Cambodia and Egypt.
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discuss

Post by Austin »

SCO helps solving disputable issues without meddling in bilateral ties — SCO chief
The organization’s Secretary-General Dmitry Mezentsev said on Friday.

"I'm absolutely convinced that even if any difficult situations occurs, the SCO institutions do not meddle in the system of bilateral relations but nevertheless assist the format of possible solving the disputes," Mezentsev told reporters in Ufa, the capital of Russia's Volga republic of Bashkiria, hosting the summit.

"Without doubt, the SCO like any other international association should contribute to a more stable, open and trustworthy environment among the states," Mezentsev added.
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discuss

Post by Austin »

PMO India

@PMOIndia

India has been an actively participating in SCO activities that are open to Observers. We have deeply valued our association with SCO: PM

PMO India

@PMOIndia

I also take this opportunity to congratulate Pakistan on joining the SCO: PM @narendramodi at the SCO Summit
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discuss

Post by Austin »

Process of SCO establishment completed — SCO Secretary-General
SCO Secretary-General Dmitry Mezentsev has said.

"The finalization of the draft SCO Development Strategy until 2025 confirms that the process of the organization’s establishment is largely completed. The endorsement of this document will be an instruction of the heads of state to seek a new level of interaction between the parties, especially in view of the prospects of the organization’s expansion," Mezentsev told the expanded session of the SCO summit.

According to Mezentsev, "the strategy notes that the global challenges and threats are gaining momentum in the world, while the factors of uncertainty and unpredictability remain unresolved and new regional and local conflicts emerge." "The unresolved settlement process in Afghanistan, the rapid intensification of activities of Islamic State and other similar groups oblige the SCO to ensure a larger scale of cooperation in the field of security," Mezentsev said.
vijaykarthik
BRFite
Posts: 1169
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discuss

Post by vijaykarthik »

Whats wrong with SCO? Now they say that India has been included and Paki process has been initiated. Initially, it was supposed to be this way and then they said No, India will not be included this year and mostly India / Pak together at a later time. Now India has been included?

I wonder what happened in the background. Why so much of commotion and confusion? [Did it have anything to do with the fellas talking and the FS making a jt statement?]

I hope India isn't diluting its stand reg PoK vis-à-vis China / something equivalent to ensure the membership here / something on those lines.
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discuss

Post by Austin »

I think both have been included in the sense the process has been initiated to move from Observer status to full member.

But any one who joins SCO has to sign that 25 odd document before they become full member which will happen in next scp summit in 2016.

The one year preceding that would probably go into completing the formalities and meeting the requirements
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discuss

Post by Austin »

What are the implications of India's and Pakistan's accession to the SCO?
Last week the annual summit of the Russian-chaired Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) concluded in Ufa. The summit launched the process of accession for India and Pakistan and adopted the Ufa Declaration on SCO Development to 2025.

Below, experts interviewed by Russia Direct explain the risks and opportunities facing Delhi and Islamabad and how their accession will affect the balance of power within the organization. In addition, these analysts analyze the development prospects of the new-look SCO.

Alexander Gabuev, head of the Russia in the Asia-Pacific Region program of the Carnegie Moscow Center


The SCO is changing quantitatively but not qualitatively. Its population, territory and share of global GDP are increasing, but the main problem is that this regional organization lacks a specific function to deliver something tangible.

The SCO continues its search for a mission. New countries are seeking to join not because of the great prospects, but for fear of falling behind the powers of continental Eurasia already inside. That is the main motivation for India and Pakistan to join the SCO.

Russia supported India’s entry into the SCO as a balancer against the weight of China, but it will have no effect on the long-term viability of the organization. China agreed to the accession of India and Pakistan precisely because the SCO is being transformed from a tool for achieving pragmatic goals — namely the expansion of economic and cultural influence in Central Asia with Russian approval — into a symbolic organization.

The membership of India and Pakistan in the SCO is not that important for China. It has its own projects now, primarily One Belt One Road. The country is following a pragmatic route by creating domestic institutions underpinned by own financial resources, which all countries are now lining up to tap, including Russia, which is blocking the economic track of the SCO.

The SCO is becoming an emblematic club of like-minded members who do nothing except talk about how much population, land and global GDP they control.


Alexander Knyazev, expert on Central Asia and the Middle East

The accession process launched in Ufa for India and Pakistan to join the SCO is not clear-cut. SCO membership does not delegate new responsibilities to these countries, and neither does it impart new functionality to the organization.

The SCO was originally created as a border security organization between China, Russia and the five Central Asian republics. But security is no longer the priority, and the emphasis has shifted to economic relations, which China dominates. Not even India will be able to challenge the Celestial Empire’s leadership.

I believe that Moscow supports Delhi’s activation in the region, including under the auspices of the SCO, as a counterweight to the growing influence of China. The ingrained territorial disputes between China and India could be rekindled under the SCO and spill over into fierce competition for Central Asia.


Similarly, the conflict between India and Pakistan could shift to the SCO platform. The antagonisms between the two countries have always had a Central Asian dimension. Islamabad is no less active than Delhi in Central Asia.

India’s interest in the region has military overtones, too. A major dispute erupted a few years back over the Ayni Air Force Base in Tajikistan, the reconstruction of which was financed by Indian loans. India clearly views Central Asia as a strategic clamp with which to exert pressure on Pakistan from the rear should the situation on the Indian-Pakistani border flare up.

Abdugani Mamadazimov, Chairman of the Association of Political Scientists of the Republic of Tajikistan


The Ufa Declaration traces a line of continuity from the provisions adopted at the 2014 SCO summit in Dushanbe, where it was decided to lift the moratorium on the accession of new members and the expansion of partner countries in dialogue with the SCO.

Dushanbe, which borders Pakistan, is not interested in exacerbating the Indian-Pakistani conflict under the SCO, and seeks to conduct a balanced policy in dealing with these two nuclear countries. Tajikistan sees SCO membership of India and Pakistan, and potentially Iran, as a possible means to solve the Afghan problem.

Cooperation under the SCO between these three major countries on Afghanistan’s borders could expedite the process of an Afghan settlement: Afghanistan will be surrounded by a powerful regional association with common values ​​and approaches to resolving issues.

Sanat Kushkumbayev, deputy director of the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan’s participation in the SCO dovetails with the country’s multi-vector policy, allowing it to promote national interests and make adjustments to the agenda, for which reason Astana remains committed to the organization. But the results in Ufa should not be overvalued. The SCO summit was used more as a platform for political statements in the complex international environment that Russia finds itself.

The start of India and Pakistan’s accession to the SCO was top of the agenda, but de jure the process has yet to be fully clarified. It is quite possible that an existing SCO member could block their entry.

There is a risk that SCO expansion could overshadow the importance of Central Asia and other more urgent matters, and alter the initial structure and concept of the organization. Central Asia will find it harder to advance its own positions and cooperate on regional issues.
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discuss

Post by Austin »

SCO and EAEU countries to announce economic continental partnership agreement – official

More:
http://tass.ru/en/economy/860102
MOSCOW, March 2. /TASS/. The member-countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) are preparing an agreement on economic continental partnership, Russia’s First Deputy Economic Development Minister Aleksey Likhachev said at the first ever Sino-Russia construction forum on Wednesday.

"In December 2015, our partners from Kazakhstan announced an idea to create an SCO free trade zone. Not only did we accept [the idea] together with the Chinese delegation, we transformed it into the following – we’ll be actually preparing background for a certain economic continental partnership, for a universal agreement within SCO," he said.
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discuss

Post by Austin »

Memorandum on India’s joining SCO to be signed at SCO summit in Tashkent

http://in.rbth.com/news/2016/02/26/memo ... ent_571083
A memorandum on India’s joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is expected to be signed at a SCO summit in Tashkent, Bakhtiyer Khakimov, Russian president’s special envoy for SCO affairs and the Russian foreign ministry’s ambassador at large, said on Friday.

"It is planned to sign a memorandum on [India’s] joining the SCO in Tshekent," he said. "We are working in that."

"Draft memorandums have been coordinated at the level of national coordinators," he said. "There is a decision to refer these drafts to the partners and later we will discuss these drafts with them in an established order."


The summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization will take place in Uzbekistan’s capital city of Tashkent on June 23-24, 2016.
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discuss

Post by Austin »

SCO defense ministers agree to develop coordination mechanisms

More:
http://tass.ru/en/world/880697
ASTANA, June 8. /TASS/. The defense ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member-countries have agreed to improve the coordination consultative mechanisms in maintaining security, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov told reporters on Wednesday following meeting of SCO defense ministers in Astana.

With the growing threat of international terrorism and religious extremism, the defense ministers emphasize the importance of concerted action in strengthening stability and security in the SCO space," Antonov said.

He noted that the heads of the delegations agreed "to develop the coordination consultative mechanisms to ensure security, enhance cooperation between the defense ministries to counter military threats in close proximity to the borders of the SCO member-countries and exchange information promptly."

The participants in the meeting also discussed preparations for the Peace Mission-2016 joint exercises, "which demonstrate the determination of the SCO countries to fight the ‘three evil forces’ - terrorism, extremism and separatism," Antonov added.

He went on to say that they had noted "good results" of the fifth Moscow International Security Conference that took place in April and the conference on Afghanistan held in the Russian capital last fall. "[The participants in the meeting] spoke highly of the Russian armed forces’ actions in Syria to combat international terrorism and render assistance to the Syrian people, including in demining liberated cities," Antonov said, adding that the next meeting of the SCO defense ministers will be held in Kazakhstan in 2017.

More:
http://tass.ru/en/world/880697
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discuss

Post by Austin »

SCO secretary-general says agreements reached on India, Pakistan joining
BEIJING, June 9 /TASS/. India and Pakistan have reached agreements in principle for joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) with other SCO member-countries, SCO Secretary-General Rashid Alimov said in an exclusive interview with TASS.

The SCO passed a decision on India’s and Pakistan’s entry as new members at the summit in Ufa in 2015.

"Over the past year, representatives of India and Pakistan did a huge amount of work through close contacts with representatives of the SCO member states. The signing of a memorandum on the commitments of applicant states and the implementation of these commitments will be the next stage. After that, the heads of the founding states can consider the question of granting the status of an SCO member state to India and Pakistan," Alimov said.

He noted that the newly admitted states were required to meet a number of commitments, including unconditional accession to all major SCO documents of which there are more than 30. "The SCO has drafted and approved a number of legal documents to regulate an entire range of issues related to the rules of accession to the organization," the SCO secretary-general said.

"It is a new phenomenon both for the SCO and its newcomers and requires special attention to details and a very thorough analysis of questions, which may not seem very significant at first glance. Therefore, the process of joining SCO needs time like any other process," Alimov said.

"The entry of major and prominent states like India and Pakistan will not only substantially expand the SCO geography but will open new horizons for cooperation. Their admittance will make it possible to look at urgent regional and global problems from a new angle, including in the light of full-scale initiatives in Eurasia and in the Asia-Pacific region," the SCO secretary-general concluded.

Next summit to assess first 15 years of SCO work

The SCO will give an accurate and objective assessment to the first 15 years of its work at a summit in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, late in June, Alimov said.

"A consolidated assessment will be reflected in the Tashkent declaration devoted to the SCO 15th anniversary," the secretary-general said. "The Shanghai Cooperation Organization [SCO] has become a universally recognized and prominent multilateral association and one of the system-founding factors of the new architecture of a multi-polar world," Alimov said.

According to Alimov, the first 15 years of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) point to its consistent and consecutive development. "Over the past years, the organization has managed to build one of the world’s biggest regional cooperation systems based on guarantees of political stability, the strengthening of security, expansion of economic interaction and joint development and prosperity of peoples in the SCO member states," Alimov stressed.

The SCO secretary-general said the SCO member states make a joint contribution to the world economy and the region’s sustainable development and seek to expand dialogue among various cultures and civilizations.
More:
http://tass.ru/en/world/881141
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discuss

Post by Austin »

India not to become full SCO member until next year — Foreign Ministry

More:
http://tass.ru/en/world/884031[quote]

NEW DELHI, June 22. /TASS/. India is unlikely to become a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) during the Organization’s summit in Tashkent on June 23-24. Indian Deputy Foreign Minister Sujata Mehta told a briefing in New Delhi on Wednesday that it will take about a year to complete all the necessary procedures.

"At the summit in Tashkent the process of India’s accession to SCO will begin with the signing of a commitment memorandum," she said. "Then, in accordance with the schedule set for us, we should join the agreements earlier signed within the SCO framework in order to become a full member of the association. According to her, "It will take about a year to sign more than 30 documents."

"We have to go through all the procedures as it has been agreed with the other SCO member countries," Mehta said. "As for the pace of India’s admission to SCO, which depends on the approaches to this issue of Russia, China and four Central Asian countries, I would say that India adheres to a fairly flexible multilateralism principle"

The deputy foreign minister also said that "India is quite happy to be involved in several processes and work with other SCO members in a number of spheres". She said, in particular, that "the Tashkent summit participants will hold talks on the establishment of the SCO Energy Club." In addition, India intends to "join the regional cooperation in the fight against terrorism."

India got the SCO observer status in 2005. In 2010, the country announced the intention to become a full member of the Organization. After the moratorium on the admission of new members to the Organization was lifted, the process of admission of India and Pakistan to SCO full membership was launched at the SCO summit in Ufa, Russia, in 2015.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a permanent regional international association, the establishment of which was announced on June 15, 2001, in Shanghai. The organization brings together Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
[/quote]

More:
http://tass.ru/en/world/884031
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discuss

Post by Austin »

Putin says security key task of SCO

More:
http://tass.ru/en/politics/884353
TASHKENT, June 24. /TASS/. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin called a key direction of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) providing of security in all the country’s territories.

"We should continue improving potential of the regional anti-terrorist structure, coordination of law enforcers in the framework of the UN and other international organizations," Putin told a meeting of the member states’ leaders on Friday.

The Russian president said SCO should work more effectively on the Organization’s draft convention on fighting extremism, should improve the legal base for cooperation in the sphere of information security.

Anti-terrorism fight

Putin went on to say that the SCO jointly with authorities of Afghanistan should be fighting the terrorist threat coming from that country.

"Of course, the situation in Afghanistan requires special attention," he said. "It is important that jointly with the Afghani counterparts we fight actively the threat of terrorism and trans-border crime, coming from that country, we should work on stopping production and distribution of drugs."

The member countries should help Afghanistan in reaching national accord and in the economic recovery.

Barriers in trade must be removed


The Russian leader called on member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to remove barriers in trade and capital flows.

"An important component of SCO’s activities is development of close economic cooperation," the president said. "We should continue removing barriers in trade, in movement of capitals and labor force, we should develop industrial and technology cooperation."

It is also important to develop in SCO territory "industrial chains" and the transport infrastructures, the Russian president said.

India, Pakistan admission


Putin said he hopes that India and Pakistan will be admitted to the SCO maximally quickly - by the next SCO summit in Kazakhstan in 2017.

India, Pakistan to make SCO more influential — Putin

The Russian leader said at a meeting of the SCO heads of state, "We hope that the partners will be able to pass the remaining procedures maximally quickly, by our next meeting in Kazakhstan. And now it is necessary to deal directly with the integration of India and Pakistan into the SCO working interaction mechanisms, such as the Council of the heads of government and regular meetings of the foreign ministers," Putin said.

The president also said he hoped that the current summit will result in the adoption of the commitment memorandums with which India and Pakistan will have to comply for getting the SCO membership status.

According to the Russian leader, the decision on the beginning of the procedure of accession of these countries to SCO was adopted at the organization’s last year’s summit in Ufa and it is now entering the final stage.

Iran's membership

According to the Russian leader, no obstacles exist for admitting Iran to the SCO

"Iran has been taking a proactive part in the organization’s work as observer for a long while, since 2005. I think that after the resolution of the Iranian nuclear problem and lifting of the UN sanctions there are no obstacles for a positive answer to Iran’s request," Putin said.
habal
BRF Oldie
Posts: 6919
Joined: 24 Dec 2009 18:46

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discuss

Post by habal »

Putin first needs to show his commitment in Syria by dropping a few big ones over daesh before he mouths away on security cooperation.
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discuss

Post by Austin »

India’s SCO membership will strengthen region’s security: PM Modi in Tashkent

Modi further said that India would no doubt benefit from SCO's strengths in energy, natural resources and industry, but India's strong economy and its vast market could drive economic growth in the SCO region.

India on Friday signed the memorandum of obligation in Tashkent, Uzbekistan to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

Speaking at the annual two-day summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India’s historical linkages with the region to drive home the point that the country’s membership to the SCO would stretch the region’s boundaries from the Pacific to Europe; and from the Arctic to the Indian Ocean. “India is not new to region. It’s not just geography that connects us, our historic linkages with you are centuries old,” said Modi.

Modi further said that India would no doubt benefit from SCO’s strengths in energy, natural resources and industry, but India’s strong economy and its vast market could drive economic growth in the SCO region.

The prime minister also vowed to adopt zero tolerance and a comprehensive approach in fighting terrorism at all levels. Pointing to Afghanistan, PM Modi said a stable, independent and peaceful Afghanistan is necessary for greater security and stability in SCO region.

Modi is on a two-day visit to attend the annual summit of the SCO with an aim to expand India’s engagement with the China-dominated grouping in areas of security, defence and energy.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi raised the NSG issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping and asked the latter to view India’s application for membership fairly, objectively and on merit.
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discuss

Post by Austin »

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech at SCO meet - Full Text

http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/pri ... 99728.html

Your Excellency Mr. Ismail Karimov,
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan,
Leaders of the Members States of Shanghai Cooperation Organization;
Invited Leaders
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen


Almost a year ago, I started my journey of Central Asian countries from Tashkent.

I still remember the warmth and generous welcome of Excellency Karimov and Uzbek people.

Let me join others in thanking you Excellency Karimov for you hospitality and excellent arrangements for this meeting.

At the Ufa Summit last year, conducted so ably by President Putin, the SCO leaders had accepted India as its full member.

It was a landmark in India's engagement with SCO.

Later today, we will sign the Memorandum of Obligations.

With this we would formalize the process of India's membership of the SCO.

And, as a logical extension India's age old ties with the region, one-sixth of humanity will join the family of SCO.

We are indeed grateful to the SCO Member States and its leaders for their overwhelming support for India’s membership of the SCO.

I also welcome Pakistan as the new member of the SCO and Belarus as a first time Observer to this body.

Excellencies,

India is not new to the region. Our historic linkages with you are centuries old. And, its just not geography that connects us. Our societies have been enriched by links of culture, cusine and commerce.

They form the bed rock of our modern day relationships with Russia, China and the countries of Central Asia.

Excellencies,

With India as its full member, SCO boundaries would stretch from the Pacific to Europe; and from the Arctic to the Indian Ocean.

We would represent forty percent of humanity and over a billion youth.

To this group, India brings principles that are in tune with the philosophies of the SCO.

India has always enjoyed good relations with the Eurasian land mass.

We also share global goals of stability, security and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific.

India would no doubt benefit from SCO's strengths in energy, natural resources and industry.

In turn, India's strong economy and its vast market could drive economic growth in the SCO region.

India's capacities in trade, investments, information and communication technology, Space, S&T, agriculture, health care, small and medium scale industry can bring wide spread economic benefit to the SCO countries.

We can partner to develop human resources and institutional capacities in the region.

Since our priorities match, our development experiences would be relevant to your national needs.

Excellencies,

The interdependent world of twenty-first century is full of economic opportunities.

It also faces geo-political complexities and security challenges.

And, connectivity among the countries of the region is crucial to our economic prosperity.

And, not just physical connectivity.

What we need is seamless flow of goods, services, capital and people among ourselves.

But, that alone is not enough.

Our region also needs to nurture strong rail, road and air links with the rest of the world.

Within SCO, India will be a productive partner in building strong trade, transport, energy, digital and people to people links.

Our decision to join the international North South Transport Corridor, the Chabahar Agreement, and Ashgabat Agreement reflects this desire and intent.

Excellencies,

India's membership of SCO would contribute to region's prosperity. It would also strengthen its security. Our partnership will protect our societies from the threats of radical ideologies of hate, violence and terror.

India will unite with SCO countries to work towards this goal. And, we will adopt zero tolerance and a comprehensive approach in fighting terrorism at all levels.

With the same goal in sight, a stable, independent and peaceful Afghanistan is not just a sincere desire of each Afghan. It is also necessary for greater security and stability in the SCO region.

In conclusion Mr. Chairman,

I am confident that India's engagement with all SCO members will help us build a region:

Which is an engine of economic growth for the world;Is more stable and secure internally; and Strongly connected with other geographies.

Excellencies,

Next year, we look forward to attending SCO meeting in Astana, as equal partners.

I wish all success to Kazhakstan in their Chairmanship of SCO in 2017.

I once again thank the Government and the people of Uzbekistan for their hospitality and congratulate Excellency Karimov for conducting today’s successful meeting.

Thank you.
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discuss

Post by Austin »

SCO: Unilateral Missile Defense System Expansion May Damage Int'l Stability

http://sputniknews.com/military/2016062 ... ement.html

T
ASHKENT (Sputnik) — Unilateral buildup of missile defense systems could harm stability in the world, while one country cannot ensure its own safety at the expense of other states, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) states said Friday in the final declaration of the organization’s summit in Tashkent.

"The Member States reaffirm that the unilateral and unlimited buildup of missile defense systems by one state or group of states without taking into account interests of other countries can be harmful to international and regional security and stability. The Member States are firmly convinced of the inadmissibility of ensuring own security at the expense of others," the declaration reads.

The heads of the SCO member states stressed the importance of preventing the militarization of outer space, supporting measures to prevent an arms race there, including preparation of the international agreement to ban arms deployment in the outer space.
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discussion

Post by Austin »

SCO, Sri Lanka Preparing Legal Base for Cooperation in Fight Against Terrorism

Read more: https://sputniknews.com/world/201701091 ... terrorism/
MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (RATS SCO) and Sri Lankan Defense Ministry will in the near future finish the preparation of the legal base for cooperation, RATS press service said on Monday.

"RATS and the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defense have reached an agreement to speed up the signing of a cooperation protocol between the two structures in the near future," a RATS spokesperson told RIA Novosti.


According to the spokesperson, the parties have established the information exchange process regarding the fight against terrorism, extremism and separatism.

The press service added that RATS and Sri Lankan Defense Ministry already had a meeting in late 2016, during which the parties have "pointed out the progress in preparation of the protocol."

The SCO is a political, military and economic alliance comprising Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Belarus, Mongolia, Iran, Afghanistan, India and Pakistan hold observer status in the organization, while Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Armenia, Nepal, Turkey and Sri Lanka have the status of dialogue partners. RATS, headquartered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, is a permanent SCO body that serves to promote cooperation against terrorism, separatism and extremism among its member states.
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discussion

Post by Austin »

Opportunity knocks at Modi government’s door

http://www.freepressjournal.in/analysis ... oor/998364
India has immense benefits from its SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) membership but it can take full advantage of that only by becoming pro-active in the activities of the SCO and contributing to the discussions on regional and global policies.

India will be participating in the coming summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as a full member in the middle of 2017 after the completion of the procedural full membership formalities. This new role of India offers the Modi Government big opportunities to play a dominant role in the affairs of the Eurasian region, especially focusing on the expansion of the economic and trade collaboration among the member countries.SCO had originally six members- apart from China and Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are member countries.

From the next summit, SCO will have eight full members including India and Pakistan. This will be of importance to India also as India can take up the issues concerning terrorism at the summit, involving Pakistan. Russia and China are equally involved in the developments in Afghanistan. That way, India has to make use of the SCO forum to ventilate its views on the terror threat from the jihadi elements and find ways to eliminate that from the region. There might be differences of opinion between India and Pakistan on the sources of terrorist activities but a frank discussion with the participation of other big powers, should help in facilitating a solution to the issue.

India has immense benefits from its SCO membership but it can take full advantage of that only by becoming pro-active in the activities of the SCO and contributing to the discussions on regional and global policies. It is a fact that China is the main force behind SCO and an understanding between China and Russia acts as a catalyst for determining the policies and action programmes. But India has a big clout and the present Government leaders have retained good relationships with both China and Russia. That way, India can be an equal partner along with Russia and China in navigating the SCO in the coming years.

With Donald Trump starting his tenure in White House on January 20 this year, the global politics is sure to undergo change and SCO has to adapt to the new situation to protect the regional interests. India can contribute a lot to the evolution of the SCO programme in Trump era.

China’s views are important for the functioning of SCO. Despite occasional irritants, India- China relationship is growing and both, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Chinese President Xi Jinping, are determined to improve economic and trade relationship keeping the long standing border dispute aside. China and India are holding meaningful discussions on a wide range of issues from AIIB projects to counter terrorism measures. The trade relations are on an upswing and the Chinese companies are investing in India in a big way. Apart from bilateral discussions, SCO forum gives India a new venue to discuss relations – both bilateral and regional.

SCO is projected as a non-military block but certainly this body can talk from the position of strength. Russian President Putin has talked of giving SCO a pan Asian dimension and favours to make Iran a member. If Iran is included, the SCO grouping will get additional muscle in terms of both economic and military powers. In the post Trump period, the policies to be followed by the US President have to be appraised by the SCO members to understand its impact on the economics and politics of the region and then action programmes have to be taken accordingly. India can play an important role in this area in view of India’s close relationship with all three major powers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has visited the CA countries in the last two years and his talks with the four SCO member countries have helped India in getting further foothold in the energy rich central Asian region.

Both China and Russia have invested heavily in the resources rich central Asia region. India has joined late but the Indian oil and gas companies are having extensive discussions with these CA countries. There has been some progress in respect of few projects but these are nothing compared to the potential in the region and India’s energy requirements. The oil prices have started to rise again and this is the right time when India has to work for energy security by having effective collaboration with these countries. The SCO membership will certainly help in facilitating that course of cooperation and collaboration.

India is in a position to export its technical knowhow and consultancy expertise to the central Asian members of the SCO who have embarked on a massive infrastructure programme. India has the requisite expertise to help these countries who are now depending more on knowhow from the western countries as also China. Indian technology costs are cheap compared to the western companies and it is a big opportunity for India to take up massive construction and consultancy work in the central Asian countries. The SCO membership will be of big help to harness the process. Both the private and public sector companies in India will be benefitted by participating in the infra programme of the region.

The usual complaint in the global diplomatic circles is that India does not want to assert in the world forums unless it becomes absolutely necessary. In the new century, this low key diplomacy will not get due dividends. India is an emerging power with both economic and political strength. The country has to act as one of the driving powers in the world forums. Both at SCO and BRICS, India has to step up its activities and play a key role in policymaking. The global situation is turning complex in 2017 and India has to be alert, agile and proactive in diplomacy.
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discussion

Post by Austin »

Defense Ministries of SCO countries discuss cooperation

http://en.trend.az/casia/kazakhstan/2726510.html

Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 28
By Elena Kosolapova – Trend:
Defense Ministries of member states the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) discussed future cooperation within the meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan, Kazakh Defense Ministry said in a message Feb. 28.
Heads of divisions in charge of international cooperation took part in the meeting.

The main topics of the agenda were the forthcoming meeting of SCO Defense Ministers and the implementation of the Cooperation Plan between SCO Defense Ministries in 2017.

The participants also discussed a draft of the Plan of cooperation for 2018-2019, and other topical issues of cooperation within the organization.

“Coordinated joint actions aimed at strengthening stability and security in the region of the organization have a special importance against the background of the growing threat of international terrorism and religious extremism,” Kazakh Defense Ministry said.

The SCO was established in 2001. The SCO members now are China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Iran, Mongolia and Belarus are the SCO observer-countries, while Turkey, Azerbaijan, Sri Lanka, Armenia, Cambodia and Nepal are dialogue partners.
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discussion

Post by Austin »

SCO defense ministers will meet in June in Kazakhstan

Подробнее на ТАСС:
http://tass.ru/politika/4067802
MOSCOW, March 3. / TASS /. The defense ministers of countries in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will meet in Kazakhstan in early June. This was announced by TASS special representative for SCO affairs of the President of Russia, Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bakhtiyor Khakimov.

"In the beginning of June in Kazakhstan will be a meeting of the defense ministers of states - SCO members," - the diplomat said.
Khakimov also said that the meeting of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers scheduled for the second half of April in Astana.

"At the meeting of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers to be held in the last week of April 2017 in Astana will be discussed issues of preparation for the summit of the organization on June 8-9, - said a senior diplomat -. In addition, it is planned to discuss the progress of consideration of applications between India and Pakistan, referring to the final acceding countries to the SCO remaining documents. "

Meeting of Security Council Secretaries of SCO, according Khakimov, will be held April 5-6 in Astana.

"While waiting for the SCO summit to be held June 8-9 in Astana, April 5-6, will be held a regular meeting of the Security Council Secretaries of organizations - he said -. The key item on the agenda will be the registration of the membership of India and Pakistan to the SCO." "This process is well advanced," - the diplomat added.

According to him, India and Pakistan have joined a large part of the documents, existing contracts and agreements. "The process of connecting to the remaining documents continues, - said Khakimov -. We are sure that this work will be successfully completed with a view to the adoption of the relevant decisions of the heads of states - members of the SCO summit in Astana."

The SCO was founded in 2001 by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. These countries, except Uzbekistan are member of the "Shanghai Five", formed in 1997 and became the basis of the current SCO. In 2015 it began the procedure of entry into the organization of India and Pakistan.


Подробнее на ТАСС:
http://tass.ru/politika/4067802
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discussion

Post by Austin »

Shanghai Organization’s expansion should include Iran — Russian diplomat

More:
http://tass.com/politics/950206[quote]

MOSCOW, June 7. /TASS/. Iran’s membership at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will have a positive impact on cooperation between the member states of the regional alliance, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov said in an interview with China’s Xinhua news agency, published on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s website.

The diplomat confirmed that the upcoming SCO summit, to begin in Astana on Thursday, should finally grant full-fledged membership to India and Pakistan.

"Russia is convinced that the first wave of our organization’s expansion should also include Iran, considering its long-term and fruitful participation in the SCO work as an observer state and also the lack of legal obstacles for launching its membership procedure," Morgulov said.

"It is evident for US that Iran’s joining would have a positive impact on SCO cooperation in all dimensions - in the spheres of security, economy, as well as in the humanitarian domain," he said.


Morgulov also said that during the upcoming summit, the leaders of the organization's member states are also expected to make a statement on a joint struggle against international terrorism and sign the SCO anti-extremism convention.

The Russian diplomat also described possible assistance to reconciliation in Afghanistan as one of the alliance’s key tasks."A major step in this direction was the consent on Russia’s proposal to resume the activities of the SCO-Afghanistan contact group as the best platform for assisting in restoring peace and security in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan," he said. "All member states, along with the government of Afghanistan, have expressed their readiness to take part in such efforts."

On June 8-9, Kazakhstan’s capital of Astana will host the SCO summit during which the member states are expected to make a final decision on granting membership to India and Pakistan.

The Declaration on the Establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was signed in China’s Shanghai in June 2001 by the six founding states - Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Afghanistan, Belarus, India, Pakistan, Iran and Mongolia currently enjoy observer status while Sri Lanka, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Cambodia and Nepal are dialogue partners. The membership process of India and Pakistan began in 2015.

[/quote]
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discussion

Post by Austin »

Astana SCO Summit Live: Modi Meeting Xi, Likely to Raise NSG, Pak Corridor Issues

http://www.news18.com/news/india/astana ... 27123.html
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discussion

Post by Austin »

What does Shanghai Cooperation Organisation membership mean for India?

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/w ... 825646.ece
India will be admitted as a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) during the ongoing summit of the regional grouping in Kazakhstan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Kazakhstan now, will attend the SCO summit and meet some foreign leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping. He is also scheduled to attend the inauguration of the Astana Expo with the theme of “Future Energy”.

What is the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)?


The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is a Eurasian political, economic, and military organisation which was founded in Shanghai by the leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The SCO’s objectives arecentred around cooperation between member nations on security-related concerns, military cooperation, intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism. It is mainly aimed at military cooperation between the members and involves intelligence-sharing, counter-terrorism operations in Central Asia. The presence of China and India, the world’s most populous countries, would make the SCO the organisation with the largest population coverage.

Who are the permanent members of the SCO?


The SCO was founded by leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan in 2001. Uzbegistan joined the group later. India and Pakistan signed the memoranda for becoming a permanent member of the SCO in 2016. The inclusion of India and Pakistan into the SCO would mean the addition of another 1.45 billion people which would make the grouping cover around 40 per cent of the global population.

What does this mean for India?


Cooperation on counter-terrorism is expected to emerge as a major point of India’s exchange with SCO. India is expected to have a greater say in pushing for effective action in combating terrorism and on issues relating to security when it becomes a full member of the SCO, seen as a counterweight to NATO. India, one of the largest energy consuming countries in the world, is also likely to get greater access to major gas and oil exploration projects in Central Asia once it becomes part of the SCO. India’s entry into the China-dominated grouping is seen as a major milestone as it is expected to increase the group’s heft in regional geo-politics and trade negotiations besides giving it a pan-Asian hue. Experts say India’s inclusion may even bring down Beijing’s overarching influence over the SCO, reports PTI.

"I look forward to deepening India's association with the SCO which will help us in economic, connectivity and counter-terrorism cooperation, among other things," Modi said in his pre-departure statement. Modi said he looked forward to further progress in ties with SCO nations for "mutual betterment and growth of our countries and our people".

What is Pakistan’s role in the Astana summit?


Pakistan will also be admitted as a full member of the SCO along with India during the Astana summit. However, with tension brewing between the two countries, there is no meeting scheduled between Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif. Ahead of Mr. Modi’s visit to Astana, the External Affairs Ministry said that India is willing to join hands with Pakistan and China to combat terrorism. “We participate with many countries, including Pakistan, in the U.N. peacekeeping operations, and terrorism is a fight which is incumbent on all countries,” Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay said. The comment is significant as full membership will require India to coordinate with member countries both on the trade front in the SCO headquarters in Beijing and at the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) based in Tashkent.
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discussion

Post by Austin »

Through the efforts of the SCO 16 terrorist attacks have been prevented in 2016
09.06.2017 12:52:45

http://militarynews.ru/story.asp?rid=1&nid=453569
Astana. the 9th of June. Interfax-AVN - Sixteen terrorist attacks have been prevented, more than 100 members of terrorist organizations have been brought to justice in 2016 through the joint efforts of the SCO countries, he said in Astana, the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the Executive Committee Director (RATS) Eugene Sysoev.

According to him, as a result of joint efforts in the past year have been prevented, "more than 40 terrorist crimes, including 16 terrorist attacks, prosecuted more than 100 members of international terrorist organizations."
nits
BRFite
Posts: 1156
Joined: 01 May 2006 22:56
Location: Some where near Equator...

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discussion

Post by nits »

Austin wrote:What does Shanghai Cooperation Organisation membership mean for India?

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/w ... 825646.ece

What is the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)?[/b]

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is a Eurasian political, economic, and military organisation ]
What is significant in terms of Military co-operation apart from Join Military Exercise; is there any NATO like Model in offering ?
SSridhar
Forum Moderator
Posts: 25087
Joined: 05 May 2001 11:31
Location: Chennai

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discussion

Post by SSridhar »

nits wrote:
Austin wrote:What does Shanghai Cooperation Organisation membership mean for India?

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/w ... 825646.ece
What is significant in terms of Military co-operation apart from Join Military Exercise; is there any NATO like Model in offering ?
The SCO was purely a Chinese attempt to stop Uyghur freedom fighting. There are simply too many divergences to forge a commonality like in NATO. I am reminded of Nehru when he retorted to Ayub Khan's offer of a 'Joint Defence' agreement. Asked Nehru, 'Joint defence against whom?'.
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discussion

Post by Austin »

Image

Modi and Nawaz at two extereme ends !
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discussion

Post by Austin »

China takes over rotating chair of #SCO and will host annual summit in June next year #XiVisit

Image

https://twitter.com/hashtag/SCO?src=hash
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discussion

Post by Austin »

India to have greater say in combating terrorism after full SCO membership

http://www.business-standard.com/articl ... 395_1.html

India is expected to have a greater say in pushing for effective action in combating terrorism and on issues relating to security when it becomes a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation at the annual summit of the grouping, seen as a counterweight to NATO.


India, one of the largest energy consuming countries in the world, is also likely to get greater access to major gas and oil exploration projects in Central Asia once it becomes part of the SCO. Many of the current members of the six-nation grouping have huge reserves of oil and natural gas.

The SCO summit is taking place here in the Kazak capital in the backdrop of a series of major terror attacks in a number of countries including Iran, Britain and Afghanistan and ways to combat terrorism effectively are likely to be deliberated upon extensively by the grouping.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the summit tomorrow and he is likely to flag the issue of terrorism and the need for concerted efforts to combat it.

India and Pakistan will formally be admitted as members of the SCO, capping a three-year-long process.

The SCO had set the ball rolling to make India a member of the bloc during its summit in Ufa in Russia in July 2015 when the administrative hurdles were cleared to grant membership to India and Pakistan.

The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the Presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

India, Iran and Pakistan were admitted as observers at the 2005 Astana Summit. The Tashkent SCO Summit in June 2010 had lifted the moratorium on new membership, paving the way for the expansion of the grouping.

India feels as SCO member, it will be able to play a major role in addressing the threat of terrorism in the region.

India is also keen on deepening its security-related cooperation with the SCO and its Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) which specifically deals with issues relating to security and defence.


"I look forward to deepening India's association with the SCO which will help us in economic, connectivity and counter-terrorism cooperation, among other things," Prime Minister Modi said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Together, we will harvest new opportunities for beneficial engagement and redouble efforts to address common challenges that may come in the way of realising our full potential," he added.

At this meeting, on completion of the process, India will become a full member of the SCO upon which SCO will represent over 40 per cent of humanity and nearly 20 per cent of the global GDP, he said.


India has been an observer at the SCO since 2005 and has generally participated in the ministerial-level meetings of the grouping which focus mainly on security and economic cooperation in the Eurasian region.

Russia has been favouring permanent SCO membership for India while China pushed for the induction of Pakistan.
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discussion

Post by Austin »

China and India agree to manage differences as their presidents meet

http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomac ... heir[quote]

Chinese President Xi Jinping told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the two countries should work to appropriately manage their differences, the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement on Friday.


Xi also congratulated India on becoming an official member state of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) security bloc, jointly led by Russia and China. The two leaders met in Astana, Kazakhstan, on the sidelines of a summit for the eight country bloc, which also includes nearly a dozen other states as partners or observers.

“(China and India) should strengthen multilateral communication and consultation, and appropriately control and manage differences and sensitive issues,” Xi said, according to the statement.

Modi thanked Xi for supporting India’s full membership of the SCO, and said that the two countries should respect each other’s core interests and appropriately manage differences, according to the Chinese foreign ministry post. No comment was immediately available from the Indian delegation.

Xi also said that China and India should increase trade and investment cooperation to ensure that the two countries were able to enjoy more benefits from large scale projects in infrastructure and industry.
[/quote]
Post Reply