Upsc relevance-GS Paper II (International Relations & Polity)
Why in News?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), held in Tianjin, China in 2025.
This summit was historic because it marked the first Modi–Xi bilateral meeting since the 2020 Galwan clashes, signaling a thaw in strained ties and a strategic recalibration in India’s foreign policy.
About the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
Origin and Evolution
- Began as the “Shanghai Five” (1996) – China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan – primarily for resolving border disputes and building security cooperation.
- 2001: Uzbekistan joined, and the group formally became the SCO with a wider agenda of security, economic, and developmental cooperation.
- Official Languages: Russian and Chinese.
Membership
- Full Members (10): China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Iran, Belarus.
- Observers: Afghanistan, Mongolia.
- Dialogue Partners: Turkey, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Azerbaijan, and others.
Institutional Framework
- Council of Heads of State (CHS): Apex decision-making body.
- Council of Heads of Government (CHG): Focuses on economic cooperation and policy.
- Secretariat (Beijing): Administrative hub.
- Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS, Tashkent): Permanent organ coordinating against the “three evils” — terrorism, separatism, extremism.
Objectives
- Counter terrorism, separatism, and extremism.
- Strengthen trade, investment, and connectivity.
- Enhance political and diplomatic dialogue.
- Promote cultural, educational, and people-to-people exchanges.
Importance
- Largest regional organisation: Covers ~60% of Eurasia and ~40% of global population.
- Economic weight: Contributes ~23% of global GDP.
- Strategic role: Serves as a Eurasian counterweight to Western alliances (NATO, G7).
SCO Summit 2025 – Tianjin, China
1.Theme: “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move”.
Shanghai Spirit = mutual trust, respect for diversity, peaceful coexistence, and cooperation.
- Host: China (for the 5th time).
- Next Presidency: Kyrgyzstan (2026).
2. Major Outcomes
A) Security & Terrorism
- Tianjin Declaration: Condemned terrorism in all forms.
- Explicitly mentioned:
- Pahalgam attack (India)
- Jaffer Express attack (Pakistan)
- Pledge: End cross-border terrorist movement.
Terrorism is a common threat to all SCO members (India, Pakistan, China, Russia, Central Asia). Explicit mentions strengthen India’s stand against cross-border terrorism.
B) Economic Cooperation
- SCO Development Bank: Planned for regional infrastructure financing (similar to AIIB/BRICS Bank).
- Push for:Stabilising global trade,Expanding mutual investments,Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) → turning borders into cooperative zones.
Helps India with infrastructure funding and promotes connectivity with Central Asia, but India is cautious because of China-led influence.
C) Global & Regional Issues
- Palestine: SCO supported a just settlement for peace in West Asia.
- Iran: Backed UNSC Resolution 2231 → Iran’s nuclear commitments + sanctions relief.
- Afghanistan: Emphasised inclusive governance (not Taliban-only rule).
- Global South: SCO highlighted empowerment of developing nations during global trade uncertainty.
Shows SCO acting as a platform for non-Western voices. Aligns with India’s positioning as leader of the Global South.
3. Global Governance Initiatives
- Launched Global Governance Initiative (GGI):
- Stressed sovereign equality, multilateralism, just world order.
- Aligned with India’s G20 vision: “One Earth, One Family, One Future.”
- Rejected unilateral sanctions (like Western sanctions on Russia/Iran).
- Adopted initiative: “Global Unity for a Just World, Harmony & Development.”
- SCO is challenging Western dominance in global rules.
- India benefits from multipolarity but must balance between SCO and its Western partnerships.
India–China Bilateral Reset at Tianjin
- Modi and Xi met for the first time since 2020, agreeing to:
- Fast-track boundary resolution via Special Representatives.
- Resume direct flights and visa facilitation.
- Enhance economic cooperation to stabilize global trade.
- Xi’s metaphor: “Dragon and Elephant must come together” reflected intent for rapprochement.
Why the Reset?
- US Factor: Rising tariffs/sanctions under Trump pushed India to diversify beyond the US.
- Strategic Autonomy: India avoided overdependence on any one bloc.
- Regional Balancing: SCO provides India a forum to engage both China and Russia while protecting its interests.
Role of SCO in Global Multilateralism
1. Geopolitical Reach
- SCO = 23% of global GDP + 42% of world’s population.
- Expansion (e.g., Turkey as dialogue partner) → creates a non-Western power bloc.
- Balances influence of Western alliances like NATO, G7, or EU.
2. Security & Counter-Terrorism
- RATS (Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure) → members share intelligence, hold joint military drills.
- Plays a crucial role after NATO’s withdrawal from Afghanistan → prevents terror safe havens and drug trafficking.
SCO = regional security umbrella in Eurasia.
3. Connectivity & Integration
- Supports big projects:INSTC (International North-South Transport Corridor) → India–Iran–Russia–Central Asia.
- Chabahar Port → India’s gateway to Central Asia.
- SCO Business Council & Interbank Consortium → promote trade, investments, banking cooperation.
SCO provides the “economic highway” linking South Asia, Central Asia, and Europe.
4. Civilisational and Developmental Cooperation
- India’s initiatives: Buddhist heritage promotion, digital inclusion, start-ups, traditional medicine.
- Promotes people-to-people contacts, cultural exchanges, student exchanges, tourism.
This soft power builds mutual trust beyond just governments.
5. Reforming Global Institutions
- SCO demands UN reform (especially UNSC expansion).
- Advocates multipolar world order, resisting hegemony of one or two powers.
- Pushes for fairer global governance in trade, climate, and technology.
SCO = voice of Global South for democratising international institutions.
India’s Concerns within the SCO
- China’s Dominance: SCO risks turning into a China-centric platform promoting BRI (which India opposes due to CPEC through PoK).
- Connectivity Exclusion: Most members support BRI, sidelining India from key projects.
- China–Pakistan Nexus: Pakistan continues supporting cross-border terrorism; China blocks Indian proposals at SCO and UNSC.
- Anti-West Perception: SCO often seen as anti-US, complicating India’s balancing with Quad, EU, and G20.
- Weak Implementation: Agreements on transport and trade remain under-implemented, making SCO look ineffective compared to ASEAN.
Diplomatic Optics of the 2025 Summit
- RIC Bonhomie: Modi, Xi, and Putin together evoked memories of Russia–India–China trilateral.
- Modi described the visit as “productive.”
- Missed Opportunity: India skipped the SCO-Plus Summit, limiting outreach to Central Asia and the wider Global South.
Significance of the Shift
1. Reassertion of Strategic Autonomy
- India is showing that it will not align fully with any one bloc.
- On one side → engages with the West through Quad, G20, I2U2.
- On the other side → engages with Eurasian blocs like SCO, BRICS.
This balances India’s interests and keeps its foreign policy flexible (the Nehruvian “non-alignment” idea in a new form).
2. China Factor
- Positive: Some progress in border disengagement → signals intent to reduce tensions.
- Negative: Trust deficit remains because:
- China supports Pakistan on terrorism issues.
- China blocks India’s entry into UNSC reforms and NSG membership.
So, while cooperation within SCO continues, rivalry at the bilateral level persists.
3. Russia Factor
- With Russia facing Western isolation (after Ukraine war), India keeps relations steady for:
- Energy imports (cheap Russian oil).
- Defence supplies (spare parts, S-400 missiles).
- Eurasian connectivity (INSTC, Arctic route).
- India also revives the RIC (Russia–India–China) trilateral → indirect way to engage China in a softer setting.
Russia acts as a “bridge” allowing India–China dialogue in multilateral formats.
4. Geopolitical Implications
- India is positioning itself as a bridge:
- Between West & Eurasia.
- Between developed North & Global South.
- By being active in both Western-led and non-Western platforms, India’s voice in multipolar forums gets stronger.
This strengthens India’s claim as a “Vishwaguru” (global leader) and as a natural leader of the Global South.
Challenges Ahead
1. Unresolved LAC Disputes with China
- Even though disengagement talks are happening, tensions at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) remain.
- Border mistrust makes it difficult for India to fully cooperate with China inside SCO.
Example: India walked out of SCO military exercises in the past due to Chinese participation.
2. China–Pakistan Nexus
- China consistently shields Pakistan in global forums (UNSC terror listings, FATF).
- In SCO, this partnership often undermines India’s push against cross-border terrorism.
Example: Even after the Pahalgam attack mention in Tianjin Declaration, Pakistan denied involvement.
3. China’s Dominance in SCO
- SCO was originally a China–Russia-led platform, India joined only in 2017.
- China drives most of the economic initiatives (like SCO Development Bank, Belt and Road).
- India’s proposals on connectivity and culture sometimes get sidelined.
Risk: India may remain a junior partner if it cannot build coalitions inside SCO.
4. SCO as an Anti-West Bloc
- With Russia isolated and China–West rivalry growing, SCO risks being seen as an anti-U.S./anti-NATO bloc.
- India, however, values its strategic ties with the U.S. and EU.
This complicates India’s tightrope walk of being in Quad and SCO at the same time.
5. Weak Institutionalisation (SAARC Syndrome)
- SCO still lacks binding enforcement mechanisms.
- Many declarations remain political statements with little follow-up.
Risk: SCO may become “another SAARC” — symbolic, but ineffective.
6. Possible India–US Friction
- As India engages more with Russia and China in SCO, Washington may grow suspicious.
- The U.S. is already uneasy with India buying cheap Russian oil; closer SCO ties could widen differences.
This may test the “India–U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.”
Way Forward for India in SCO
1. Calibrated Engagement with China
- India must continue dialogue with China inside SCO (economic, security, regional issues).
- But it must also safeguard sovereignty by firmly holding its ground on the LAC disputes.
This balance allows India to avoid isolation in Eurasia while protecting its national interest.
2. Counter-Terrorism Leadership
- Through RATS (Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure), India can push for:
- Listing more terror outfits.
- Intelligence-sharing.
- Joint anti-terror drills.
- By doing this, India can keep cross-border terrorism in the spotlight, especially against Pakistan-backed groups.
3. Multipolar Diplomacy
- India should practice “multi-alignment” → engaging in SCO, BRICS, Quad, G20 at the same time.
- This ensures India is not boxed into either the West or Eurasia, but remains a balancer in world politics.
Example: Hosting G20 in 2023 and now actively shaping SCO outcomes both boost India’s global profile.
4. Neighbourhood Outreach via SCO
- Strengthen partnerships with Central Asian republics (energy, trade, security).
- Keep Afghanistan on the agenda: push for inclusive governance, anti-terror guarantees, and humanitarian aid.
This makes India a reliable regional player beyond South Asia.
5. Economic Prudence
- India should expand trade with SCO states in areas like energy (Kazakhstan, Russia), connectivity (INSTC, Chabahar), and IT services.
- At the same time, carefully screen Chinese investments in sensitive sectors (5G, infrastructure) to avoid security risks.
“India’s SCO strategy must be one of pragmatic engagement — leveraging the platform for regional outreach and counter-terrorism, while ensuring sovereignty and balancing ties with the West.”
Conclusion
The 2025 SCO Summit in Tianjin marks a turning point in India’s foreign policy. By re-engaging with China and Russia within the SCO, India has reaffirmed its strategic autonomy and multipolar vision.
The summit outcomes — from terrorism condemnation to proposals for a Development Bank and Global Governance Initiative — highlight SCO’s evolving role as a counterweight to Western institutions.
For India, however, the path is complex: balancing opportunities in Eurasian cooperation with challenges from the China–Pakistan nexus, border disputes, and SCO’s weak institutional capacity. A calibrated, multi-alignment strategy will be essential for India to leverage SCO while protecting its sovereignty and global standing.
UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q. The Tianjin Declaration (2025), adopted during the 25th SCO Summit, included which of the following provisions?
- Establishment of an SCO Development Bank for regional infrastructure financing.
- Rejection of unilateral sanctions violating UN Charter and WTO rules.
- Condemnation of cross-border terrorism, including the Pahalgam and Jaffer Express attacks.
- Proposal for “Global Governance Initiative (GGI)” aligned with India’s vision of “One Earth, One Family, One Future.”
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A. 1 and 3 only
B. 2 and 4 only
C. 1, 2, and 3 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer-(D) → All four were outcomes of Tianjin Declaration 2025.
UPSC Mains Practice Questions
Q1.“India’s participation in the 2025 SCO Summit in Tianjin reflected a strategic recalibration of its foreign policy.Examine how India’s engagement with SCO helps in balancing its relations with both the West and Eurasia. (250 words)
Q2.Discuss the significance of the 2025 Tianjin Declaration of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). How far does it address India’s concerns on terrorism, global governance, and multipolarity? (150 words)
SOURCE- THE HINDU
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