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Introduction
An IPRI Review meeting on “SCO and Regional Security” was held at IPRI conference
hall on August 8, 2016. In the prevalent era of globalization, a number of regional
organizations have emerged on world stage. These organizations have become
multifunctional pursuing security and economic goals. States through these regional
platforms are trying to address the transnational threats/challenges. Shanghai
Cooperation Organization (SCO) is an emerging regional grouping consisting of China,
Russia and four Central Asian Republics (CARs). The organization was officially
established in 2001 with an objective to cooperate in regional security and anti-
terrorism. However, over the years, SCO has expanded its scope for cooperation. The
leading countries of the organization China and Russia have been pursuing economic
cooperation. SCO has opened itself to the outside world, through
arrangements/mechanisms and by awarding observer/dialogue partner status to interact
with other countries/regions. India and Pakistan have been accepted as de-facto SCO
members.
Salient Points
SCO is best described by Chinese scholars as ‘a cart with two wheels’, referring to
the equal degree of importance attached to security and economic
cooperation.[42] The two main founding members, China and Russia are economic
strength of the organization. China’s economic growth makes it a world economic
power whereas Russia has started a march towards redefining its status in the world
politics. The resource rich Central Asian member states – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Tajikistan and Uzbekistan hold approximately 40 percent of the world oil and natural
gas resources.[43] The cumulative GDP of all member states including Pakistan and
India is about US $ 15.323 trillion.[44]
China has been pursuing establishment of a joint financial institution under SCO
framework. China advocates that SCO member states must have their own financial
bank, to speed up infrastructure development projects. In 2003, a special programme
for cooperation in energy, information, telecommunications, environmental protection
and comprehensive utilization of natural resources was launched by SCO. The
cooperation in trade and investment facilitation was with an emphasis on building
infrastructure such as roads and railways and harmonizing customs and tariffs.[45]
The 15th Summit at Ufa laid special emphasis on commitment towards deepening
economic cooperation. The “SCO Development Strategy 2025” approved in the
summit called for cooperation in trade, ensuring regional stability and prompt
responses to conflicts and crises. [46]
Cultural cooperation is also promoted within the SCO framework. A joint statement
for continued cultural cooperation was signed in Beijing in April 2002. [47]
The expansion of SCO, in particular the inclusion of India and Pakistan is likely to
strength regional connectivity. As stated by former President Musharraf “Pakistan
provides the natural link between the SCO states to connect the Eurasian heartland
with the Arabian Sea and South Asia.”[48] The Russian Federation, China and CARs
could establish a link with Gwadar via the north-south trade/energy corridor. Once
the CPEC starts functioning, it will connect China, Pakistan, Central Asia, Caucasus
and Russia.[49] The regional re-connectivity through economic integration and
interdependencies will also offer possibilities of peaceful conflict resolution which is
the need of this part of the world.
Major Conclusions
[1] Muhammad Ihsan Qadir and Saif ur Rehman, “Expansion of Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO) Harbinger of Regional Peace and Prosperity”, Journal of Political
Studies, Vol. 23, Issue 1, 2016: 117-118, (accessed August 2, 2016),
http://pu.edu.pk/images/journal/pols/pdf-files/8%20-%20IHSAN%20-
%20SAIF_v23_1_16.pdf.
[2] Huma Rehman and M. Faisal, “SCO and India-Pakistan Conflict”, Centre for
International Strategic Studies (CISS) Insight: Quarterly News & Views, p. 24,
(accessed July 30, 2016), http://ciss.org.pk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Paper-3-I.-3-
V.-3.pdf.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Nicklas Norling and Niklas Swanstrom, “The Shanghai Cooperation Organization,
trade, and the roles of Iran, India and Pakistan”, Central Asian Survey, Vol. 26, Issue 3,
2007, (accessed August 6, 2016),
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02634930701702779.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Huma Rehman and M. Faisal, “SCO and India-Pakistan Conflict”, p. 25,
http://ciss.org.pk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Paper-3-I.-3-V.-3.pdf.
[7] Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal, “SCO Membership: Potentials for Pakistan”, ISPR Hilal
Magazine, Edition 2, Vol. 52, August 2015, (accessed August 4, 2016),
http://hilal.gov.pk/index.php/layouts/item/1538-sco-membership-potentials-for-pakistan.
[8] Huma Rehman and M. Faisal, “SCO and India-Pakistan Conflict”, p. 26,
http://ciss.org.pk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Paper-3-I.-3-V.-3.pdf.
[9] Ibid.
[10] Muhammad Ihsan Qadir and Saif ur Rehman, “Expansion of Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO) Harbinger of Regional Peace and Prosperity”, 118,
http://pu.edu.pk/images/journal/pols/pdf-files/8%20-%20IHSAN%20-
%20SAIF_v23_1_16.pdf.
[11] “Pakistan, India Edge Closer to Joining SCO”, The Express Tribune, June 25, 2016,
(accessed August 6, 2016), http://tribune.com.pk/story/1129712/pakistan-india-edge-
closer-joining-sco/.
[12] Muhammad Ihsan Qadir and Saif ur Rehman, “Expansion of Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO) Harbinger of Regional Peace and Prosperity”, 118,
http://pu.edu.pk/images/journal/pols/pdf-files/8%20-%20IHSAN%20-
%20SAIF_v23_1_16.pdf.
[14] Huma Rehman and M. Faisal, “SCO and India-Pakistan Conflict”, p. 27,
http://ciss.org.pk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Paper-3-I.-3-V.-3.pdf.
[15] Ibid.
[17] Muhammad Ihsan Qadir and Saif ur Rehman, “Expansion of Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO) Harbinger of Regional Peace and Prosperity”, p. 118-125,
http://pu.edu.pk/images/journal/pols/pdf-files/8%20-%20IHSAN%20-
%20SAIF_v23_1_16.pdf.
[20] Huma Rehman and M. Faisal, “SCO and India-Pakistan Conflict”, p. 27,
http://ciss.org.pk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Paper-3-I.-3-V.-3.pdf.
[22] Muhammad Ihsan Qadir and Saif ur Rehman, “Expansion of Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO) Harbinger of Regional Peace and Prosperity”, p. 123,
http://pu.edu.pk/images/journal/pols/pdf-files/8%20-%20IHSAN%20-
%20SAIF_v23_1_16.pdf.
[23] Alisher Sidikov, “Pakistan Blames IMU Militants for Afghan Border Unrest”, July 2,
2008, (accessed August 6, 2016),
http://www.rferl.org/content/Pakistan_IMU_Militants_Afghan_Border_Unrest/1181286.ht
ml.
[24] Muhammad Ihsan Qadir and Saif ur Rehman, “Expansion of Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO) Harbinger of Regional Peace and Prosperity”, p. 126,
http://pu.edu.pk/images/journal/pols/pdf-files/8%20-%20IHSAN%20-
%20SAIF_v23_1_16.pdf.
[26] Ibid.
[27] Huma Rehman and M. Faisal, “SCO and India-Pakistan Conflict”, p. 29,
http://ciss.org.pk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Paper-3-I.-3-V.-3.pdf.
[28] Ibid.
[29] Muhammad Munir, “Outcome of SCO Summit”, Pakistan Observer, July 22, 2016.
[30] Ibid.
[31] Muhammad Ihsan Qadir and Saif ur Rehman, “Expansion of Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO) Harbinger of Regional Peace and Prosperity”, p. 123,
http://pu.edu.pk/images/journal/pols/pdf-files/8%20-%20IHSAN%20-
%20SAIF_v23_1_16.pdf.
[32] Huma Rehman and M. Faisal, “SCO and India-Pakistan Conflict”, p. 29,
http://ciss.org.pk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Paper-3-I.-3-V.-3.pdf.
[34] Ibid.
[35] Anna Matveeva and Antonio Giustozzi, “The SCO: A Regional Organization in the
Making”, Crisis States Research Centre, LSE, Working Paper 39, No. 2, September
2008, p. 16, (accessed July 27, 2016), http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/22937/1/wp39.2.pdf.
[36] Muhammad Munir, “Outcome of SCO Summit”, Pakistan Observer, July 22, 2016.
[37] Ibid.
[39] Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal, “SCO Membership: Potentials for Pakistan”, ISPR Hilal
Magazine, Edition 2, Vol. 52, August 2015, (accessed August 4, 2016),
http://hilal.gov.pk/index.php/layouts/item/1538-sco-membership-potentials-for-pakistan.
[41] Ibid.
[42] Muhammad Ihsan Qadir and Saif ur Rehman, “Expansion of Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO) Harbinger of Regional Peace and Prosperity”, p. 118,
http://pu.edu.pk/images/journal/pols/pdf-files/8%20-%20IHSAN%20-
%20SAIF_v23_1_16.pdf.
[44] Ibid.
[45] Ibid.
[46] Muhammad Munir, “Outcome of SCO Summit”, Pakistan Observer, July 22, 2016.
[47] Huma Rehman and M. Faisal, “SCO and India-Pakistan Conflict”, p. 30,
http://ciss.org.pk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Paper-3-I.-3-V.-3.pdf.
[48] President Musharraf’s Address at SCO Summit held at Shanghai, China, 15 June
2006, (accessed August 4, 2016),
https://presidentmusharraf.wordpress.com/2006/07/07/sco-states-summit-2006/.
[49] Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal, “SCO Membership: Potentials for Pakistan”,
http://hilal.gov.pk/index.php/layouts/item/1538-sco-membership-potentials-for-pakistan.
[50] Huma Rehman and M. Faisal, “SCO and India-Pakistan Conflict”, p. 34,
http://ciss.org.pk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Paper-3-I.-3-V.-3.pdf.