POSITIVE STEPS TOWARDS POTENTIAL REGIONAL COOPERATION

It has been a whirlwind of diplomatic activity for India recently. India participated in both the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCO) summit that took place in Islamabad on October 15-16, and the 16th BRICS Summit was held in Kazan, Russia, from October 2224, 2024. These back-to-back summits within a short span of time underscore India's active role in shaping regional and global diplomacy, balancing national interests with multilateral cooperation

- VAISHALI BASU SHARMA

Established in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance that evolved from the Shanghai Five, which was formed in 1996 to address border security issues. The SCO expanded its focus to include broader political and economic cooperation. Observers since 2005, India and Pakistan, became full members of the SCO in 2017, and their inclusion was seen as a significant step towards enhancing cooperation and addressing common challenges such as terrorism and economic development.

The recent Islamabad summit was significant as it marked the first time Pakistan hosted a leader-level SCO meeting.

It focused on trade, economic cooperation, and regional stability. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's presence at the summit marked a rare moment of civility in India-Pakistan relations. While there were no significant bilateral talks, the participation itself was seen as a positive step towards potential future cooperation.

The summit's agenda included discussions on regional security, economic growth, and stability. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired the meeting and spoke about the importance of economic integration and cooperation among SCO member states. China's Premier Li Qiang emphasised the importance of enhancing trade, investment, and connectivity in the region, and the expanding influence of its projects through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Sharif emphasised this by highlighting Pakistan's dedication to economic development and regional connectivity through projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).