SCO Defence Ministers Meeting in Qingdao

The recent meeting of Defence Ministers from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Qingdao concluded without a joint communiqué, signaling discord within the 10-nation group.

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh withdrew from the joint declaration due to the absence of any reference to terrorism, influenced by Pakistan.
• The exclusion of terrorism references is notable given the recent Pahalgam attack and India's renewed commitment to combat terrorism after Operation Sindoor.
• Surprisingly, the draft resolution considered mentioning "disturbances in Balochistan" at Pakistan's behest while omitting references to the Pahalgam attack and cross-border terrorism, which India advocated for.
• This omission is contrary to the SCO’s founding Charter from 2002, which emphasized the importance of curbing terrorism, separatism, and extremism.

Current and Future Prospects

The SCO Secretariat and the Chinese Foreign Ministry have issued generalized statements on cooperation against modern security challenges. The focus now shifts to the upcoming meetings of SCO Foreign Ministers and the SCO Summit.

• India needs to assess if there are weaknesses in conveying its stance on the three-pronged "new normal" announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi post-Operation Sindoor.
• China’s role as the Chair on this issue is concerning, especially in light of its recent improved relations with India.

India's Position and Actions

Unlike its influence in the SAARC, India faces challenges in the SCO, which is primarily influenced by its original founders: China, Russia, and Central Asian States.

• Following India's withdrawal from a statement criticizing Israel's attack on SCO member Iran, India has not engaged SCO members post-Operation Sindoor.
• Parliamentary delegations were sent to 32 countries, excluding SCO member nations.
• Skipping the in-person Summit during India’s term in 2023 might have affected its standing within the group.
• India must work to convince SCO members of the importance of regional cooperation against terrorism, rather than allowing Pakistan to gain influence.