Shanghai Cooperation

Organization
Introductory Information
 Inter-governmental organization.

 Formed in 1996 as Shanghai 5 with counties including China, Russia,

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan

 In 2001, after inclusion of Uzbekistan, it became SCO

 Now Pakistan and India are also members of SCO in June 2017 which

can have significant impact on the domestic and foreign policies of the
two countries.
 In 2021 Iran joined it.

 IT covers about 3/5th of the Asia and it is the home of about 3 billion

people in the world.

 Primarily to resolve China Russia issues.
 Its basic purpose was to build CBM’s to demilitarize the borders

between China and Russia specifically

 But since then the aims and objectives have broadened

 Why it was important to make Pakistan and india its member countries?

To maintain balance of power. If only India Pakistan weaken. If Pakistan

India weaken US allies. 2. to resolve Pak Ind issues, UN not solving,
SAARC not working.
 Afghanistan is its observer state.
Structure of SCO
 Member Countries:
 Russia,
 China
 Kazakhstan,
 Kyrgyzstan,
 Tajikistan,
 Uzbekistan,
 Pakistan,
 India.
 Iran
 The Heads of State Council:
 Supreme Decision making body of SCO which gives the policy and the
direction to the SCO regarding its relationship among the member
countries and the countries outside SCO.

 The Heads of Government Council

 The SCO Heads of Government Council shall approve the budget of the
Organization, consider and decide upon major issues related
to particular, especially economic, spheres of interaction within the
Organization.

 The Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs

 The Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs shall consider issues related
to day-today activities of the Organization, preparation of meetings
of the Heads of State Council and holding of consultations
on international problems within the Organization. The Council may,
as appropriate, make statements on behalf of SCO.
 Meetings of Heads of Ministries and/or
Agencies
 According to decisions of the Heads of State Council and the Heads
of Government Council heads of branch ministries and/or agencies
of the member states shall hold, on a regular basis, meetings
for consideration of particular issues of interaction in respective
fields within SCO.

 Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure

 Maintaining working relations with competent institutions of the
member states and international organizations tackling issues
of fighting terrorism, separatism and extremism (these three are
called three evils).
 Goals and Tasks of SCO
 Promote good neighborly relations among member countries
 promote cooperation in politics, trade, economy, and culture to education,

energy, and transportation

 promoting cooperation on security-related issues, namely to combat the three

evils of terrorism, separatism, and extremism

What are its importance for Pakistan? Or actively participate.
What are its goals and tasks which are Pak issues. Energy, trade, terrorism,
separatism, terrorism issues are faced by Pakistan.
 What are the opportunities for Pakistan?

 And. 2018

 What is the significance of Afghanistan for SCO member countries? And what does

SCO countries did for Afghanistan?

◦ Afghan dodder SCO countreis. Afgh unstability which pave way for terrorists org. so no peace
in affg. So no peace in these countries. So trade energy etc cooperation should start. SCO
looking for cheap energy resource which are in Middle east. Jis ko rasta Afghanistan sy jata hy.
◦ What they did so far? Second portion—china has invested in infrastructure and extraction of
resources + provides diplomatic support to Afghanistan, opposed war and suggested
diplomatic solution. Russia has more or less the same contribution..Moscow talks to find
diplomatic solution of afghan issue. Pak deplometic soltion+refugees+trade initiatives of
exemption in trade+ india to Afghanistan goods route+ QCG+ Doha talks. Thus to include as
a full member.
 What are the issues resolved so far by SCO?
 Can SCO resolve Indai Pakistan dispute? If they can what issues can be resolved?
 For the resolution of any issue there should be will and potential of the
organization. They have will to resolve but written that they will not discuss
bilateral issues. While UN has potential but no will. China and Russia want to
resolve because they have interest in these regions. There is fire on
boorder..SCO to pass regional trettoy. Attack on country attack on all SCO
sovereignty. Kashmir dispute can be discussed. SCO can negotiate to resolve
disputes like water etc. SCO can resolve Pak IND issue by trading agreement
collectively.
 How can China and Russia utilize SCO to increase their bilateral cooperate?
 What are the economic potential of SCO?
 What are the benefits to Pak from SCO?
 1. Rats Sharing information and military exercises Can increase internal and border security.
 2. Exports increase and current account deficit can be resolved.
 3. Imports will get diversified to resolve balance of payment crises. Because some products can be
bought from somewhere else at cheapest rates.
 4. Pak can become part of energy hub eg, Iran gas pipeline, Nourth south gas pipeline, Russiian oil,
CEPEC. Import bill will lesson and energy dependency on middle east will reduce.
 5. Investment opportunities will increase: investment bringing from neighboring countries because they
have more or less same requirements is easy. Industries will enhance. Tech will develop. Employment.
 6. International Image…Pak can never be isolated
 7. food security –
 8. Can be supply chain hub which can connect the whole region.
Principles of SCO
 Mutual respect of sovereignty, independence,
territorial integrity of States. Non-
interference in internal affairs, non-use of
force.
 Seeking no unilateral military superiority in

adjacent areas; 
 Equality of all member States, search of

common positions on the basis of

 Mutual understanding and respect for

opinions of each of them;

 Peaceful settlement of disputes between the

member States;
SCO and Afghanistan:
 Afghanistan sits on the border of China and Central Asian
Republics.
 
 The instability in Afghanistan is concern for both China and Russia.

 Afghanistan is being more involved in SCO by giving it full observer

status
 China is the largest financiers in Afghanistan ($3 billion in Anyak
copper mine)
 
 China and Russia are on same page that spillover effects of
instability in Afghanistan will reach their doorstep
 
 Russia also provides Afghanistan in military support and training to
its army personnel so it can give a strong front to Taliban
 Pakistan being member of SCO is also actively playing a role in
solving the issue of US exit from Afghanistan.
  
 
SCO and Pakistan-India Dispute:

 According to the Goals of SCO it promotes

good neighborliness and friendly relations so
SCO can play as a platform where all the
bilateral issues of India Pakistan can be
solved

 Water Dispute, LOC Violations, Kashmir

Dispute, Insufficient Trade.(But have they?)

 SCO can play a role in crisis stability because

it emerged as an organization to counter
western clout. It will never want to look weak
by letting India violating the charter of SCO.
SCO and Benefits to Pakistan:
 One of the goals of SCO is to eradicate
extremist, terrorism and separatism and all of
these problems have bedeviled Pakistan for a
long time. (RATS)
 SCO fosters economic cooperation, Promotes

trade development which can help Pakistan

over come its trade deficit.
 Making an energy club will enable Pakistan to

access the resources of CAR’s cheaply

SCO and Sino- Russia relations
 Russia has been facing backlash from the west
owing to its annexation of Crimea and its
alleged involvement in the US elections. It led
to Russia exit from G8 and now INF treaty.
  
 China has recently strained Trade relations
with US and its South China Sea claim is also a
stain for US
  
 China, owing to its sustained growth has
emerged as new investor in the region.The new
realities has caused China and Russia to come
together
 Militarily SCO nations are conducting joint and
bilateral military exercise.
 There are also agreements to harmonize
China’s BRI and Russia’s Eurasian Economic
Union.

 Bilateral trade is more than $80 billion

 It’s an important union of two the most

emerging super powers in the world
Economic cooperation among SCO members

 Beijing is pushing for Free Trade zone and

Development fund for the member states which is
highly welcomed by CAR’s
 
 CAR’s are home of some of the largest untapped
reserves of oil and gas and they need investment
to untap the resources for their domestic
development.
 
 Russia is apprehensive about these deals
 
 Russia and China are dealing with CAR’s
bilaterally .Central Asia –China Gas pipeline is one
of those initiatives which starts from Turkmenistan
ad ends in Xinxiang.
 China also wants to integrate CAR’s in its Belt
and Road Initiative.

 Pakistan will be able to fulfill energy

demands through CAR’s but for that stable
Afghanistan is needed.

 Development Fund is on the way too to

counter IMF and WB.
Geo Strategic and Geo Economic Importance of SCO:

 4 Nuclear power States

 Projects like CPEC and EEU are integrating the whole
region
 Major focus on economic partnerships which is
bringing the nations closer
 A counter to US Europe Alliance
 A framework to eradicate terrorism.
 Home to some of the major producer of oil and gas.
 Geographically provides a corridor between eastern
Asia and Europe
  
  
Criticism on SCO
 Do the countries like Russia and China want
to integrate or is it just the need of the hour.
 Potential is huge but where are the

achievements
 Agencies to Conduct the works are highly

underfunded
 US has direct impact on Sino-Russian

relations.
 Why Pakistan India disputes are still

unresolved