Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)

 Introduction
“Asian countries must find ways to facilitate exit of extra regional
countries – Asia for Asians”.
(Xi - Jinping)
 What is SCO?
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is an intergovernmental organization founded in
Shanghai on 15 June 2001. The SCO currently comprises eight Member States (China, India,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan), four Observer States
interested in acceding to full membership (Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia) and six
“Dialogue Partners” (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Turkey).
 Background
o In 1995, five countries: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and
Kyrgyzstan made Shanghai five.
o 2001 witnessed the establishment of SCO.
o In Tajikistan, America was making its military presence at some
airport to counter China and Russia in particular.
o At that time NATO was enhancing and so was EU, latter was a great
ally of US and in this way USA was enjoying hegemony, which was
unacceptable to China.
o So, China and Russia made an organization to provide security to
Asia.
o Its permanent members are eight and observer states are four.
 Objectives
o Promote good neighborly relations
o Address three threats in the region: Extremism, separatism and
terrorism
o To foster security cooperation in Central Asia
o To promote Asian regionalism

 Significance
 o Diverse countries are its members. Diversity refers to the capacity,
demographic composition. For this reason China says “Asian
century”.
o Four nuclear power states
o SCO members are rich in raw material and cheap labor which can be
converted into skilled labor with the cooperation of Russia and China.
 SCO and regional security
Building a harmonious region
Discouraging arms race
Joint military exercises under the auspices of SCO
SCO and economic development: BRI initiative
Fighting against three evils
Concept of Asian century: Asia for Asians
Discouraging extra regional presence

 SCO’s significance for Pakistan

o Will develop harmonious region
o USA pressure dilutes as Pakistan integrates with Russia and China
o Discouraging arms race
o Article 2 of the SCO charter states that: “lasting peace can be
achieved until and unless poverty is eradicated. This goes in the favor
of Pakistan”.
o Economic focus in the form of CPEC
o Pakistan can improve its relations with India on the platform of SCO.
o Can prevent any future aggression from within or outside
o Joint military exercises to counter terrorism, extremism and
separatism.
o Pakistan wants the ouster of USA from Afghanistan and SCO extra-
regional presence.

 Challenges to SCO
o Cross border terrorism
 o Absence of peace in Afghanistan
o Bilateral disputes between many members
o India-US partnership
 Critically assess the impacts of SCO in Indo-Pak relations
 Conclusion

SAARC

 Introduction
The South Asian Organization for Regional Cooperation was established by Bangladesh,
Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives, India, Nepal, and Pakistan in 1985 to promote economic,
cultural and social development and combined self-reliance among the member
countries. Afghanistan was given membership of the organization in 2007.
 What is SAARC?
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is the regional
intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union of states in South Asia. Its
member states are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal,
Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
 Background
 Objectives
 To promote the welfare of the people of South Asia and to improve their
quality of life.
 To accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in
the region and to provide all individuals the opportunity to live in dignity and to
realize their full potentials.
 To promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among the countries of
South Asia.
 To contribute to mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of one
another’s problems..
 To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in the economic, social,
cultural, technical and scientific fields.
 To strengthen cooperation with other developing countries.
 To strengthen cooperation among themselves in international forums on
matters of common interests; and
 To cooperate with international and regional organizations with similar aims
and purposes.
 Achievements
(i) The Regional Convention on Suppression of Terrorism
(ii) Saarc Agriculture Information Centre at Dhaka
(iii) Saarc audio visual exchange programme (SAVE) and
(iv) Social Charter to set targets for eradication of poverty, population
stabilisation and human resource development
 Significance
SAARC comprises 3% of the world's area, 21% of the world's
population and 3.8% (US$2.9 trillion) of the global economy.
Creating synergies: It is the world’s most densely populated region and one of
the most fertile areas. SAARC countries have common tradition, dress, food
and culture and political aspects thereby synergizing their actions.
Common solutions: All the SAARC countries have common problems and
issues like poverty, illiteracy, malnutrition, natural disasters, internal conflicts,
industrial and technological backwardness, low GDP and poor socio-economic
condition and uplift their living standards thereby creating common areas of
development and progress having common solutions.

 SAARC and regional security

 SAARC significance for Pakistan
o Will develop harmonious region
o Discouraging arms race
o Pakistan can improve its relations with India on the platform of
SAARC.
o It can improve its economy by reaching out to SAARC members for
trade and FDI.
o Can prevent any future aggression from within or outside
o Joint military exercises to counter terrorism, extremism and
separatism.

 Challenges to SAARC
Low frequency of meetings: More engagement is required by the member
states and instead of meeting biennial meetings should be held annually.
Broad area of cooperation leads to diversion of energy and resources.
 Limitation in SAFTA: The implementation of SAFTA has not been satisfactory
a Free Trade Agreement confined to goods, excluding all services like
information technology.
Indo-Pak Relations: Escalated tension and conflict between India and
Pakistan have severely hampered the prospects of SAARC.

 Critically assess the impacts of SAARC in Indo-Pak relations

 Conclusion