AIR Spotlight: SCO - National Security Advisors’ Meet

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This article is about the discussion on: National Security Advisors’ (NSA) Meet.

Participants

• Ashok Sajjanhar: Former Diplomat
• Simran Sodhi: Journalist

Context – The 18th meeting of the Secretaries of the Security Councils of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was held in New Delhi (29th March). In his opening remarks, India’s NSA Ajit Doval condemned terrorism, reminding members of the SCO charter that calls upon member states to have mutual respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.

Terrorism – Threat to International Peace and Security

Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and its financing are amongst the most serious threats to international security and peace. Addressing the NSAs’ meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), NSA Ajit Doval said that any act of terrorism, regardless of its motivation, is unjustifiable. 

• It is important for all the countries to fulfil their obligations enshrined in relevant counter-terrorism cooperation protocols including the UNSC’s resolutions 1267, 1372 and successor resolutions, for the purpose of identifying and implementing sanctions against global terrorist entities. Adhering to the UNSC resolutions is important as India has faced many roadblocks in its campaign against global terrorism because of frequent obstructions from China.
• At present, the international community is more united to combat terrorism as it’s an issue that afflicts all countries and there should not be any politics played for protecting terrorists and their organisations. 
• Since 2009, China has put a hold on India’s UNSC listing proposals. It took 10 years to designate Masood Azhar (JeM Chief) as an international terrorist. China accepted it after 10 years of blocking the move. 
• Forums like SCO are important for India in terms of putting pressure on the perpetrators of terrorism. India has used every forum to speak about the issue of terrorism, raise awareness and put pressure on offending countries.
• India has been a member of FATF (Financial Action Task Force) since 2010 and uses this instrument as well to fight terrorism.  

International Connectivity Projects 

Shri Doval also said that international connectivity projects should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nations. 

• Connectivity has been the key priority for India and it is ready to cooperate on investing and building connectivity in the region. However, it is important to ensure that such initiatives are consultative, transparent and participatory.
• India is committed to fulfilling its obligation under the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).

• • International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is a 7200 km long multi-mode transport project. This corridor is expected to be used for moving freight among countries including Russia, Central Asia, India, Iran, Afghanistan, Armenia and Azerbaijan.

• India is also committed to including the Chabahar Port within the framework of INSTC as this port has the potential to bridge connectivity barriers.

• • The port is strategically located in the Sistan-Baluchistan province of Iran’s southern coast which is easily accessible from India’s western coast. This port is seen as a counter to Gwadar Port of Pakistan which is located at a distance of around 80 km from Chabahar Port of Iran.
  • In 2017 the first phase of the Chabahar Port was inaugurated and this opened a new route connecting three countries: Iran, India and Afghanistan bypassing Pakistan.

About Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is an intergovernmental organisation established in 2001. The eight member countries of SCO represent over 60% of the Eurasian landmass, 40% of the world’s population and 30% of the global GDP.

• It comprises eight member states, namely, India, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
• In 2022, India assumed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Chairship for 2023.
• India is hosting several activities in the run-up to the SCO summit, which is scheduled to take place in Goa in July 2023.
• India became a full member of SCO on June 9 in 2017.
• There are four Observer States viz Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia and six dialogue partners – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Turkey.
• The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a major regional powerhouse that was established  with the aim of promoting economic, political, and military cooperation among its member nations. 

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