The New Delhi Declaration issued at the conclusion of the virtual SCO Summit hosted by India detailed the measures the member states will take to combat terrorism, separatism, and extremism, including “active measures to eliminate the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism”, disruption of terror financing channels, and suppression of recruitment activities and cross-border movement of terrorists.

The SCO members will eliminate “sleeper cells” and safe havens for terrorists, as well as combat the radicalisation of youth and dissemination of terrorist ideology, according to a joint declaration issued hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated in his opening remarks at the summit that the organization should not be afraid to criticize nations that use terrorism as a tool of statecraft.

India did not reaffirm support for BRI, China’s signature connectivity initiative, like Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. In a joint declaration, these nations affirmed their support for ongoing efforts to cooperatively implement the project, including efforts to link BRI with the establishment of the Eurasian Economic Union.

India is one of the few countries that did not sign up for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and it has consistently opposed the initiative due to the fact that CPEC passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. BRI initiatives have imposed a debt burden on countries in the region, according to Indian officials.

The SCO members noted in their joint statement the “inadmissibility of interference in the internal affairs of states under the guise of countering terrorism and extremism” and the “inacceptability of using terrorist, extremist, and radical groups for mercenary purposes.”

The member states emphasized the need for coordinated international efforts to counter terrorist, separatist, and extremist organizations’ attempts to recruit youths. In addition to combating terrorist and extremist groups, the international community should prevent the spread of religious intolerance, aggressive nationalism, ethnic and racial discrimination, xenophobia, fascism, and chauvinism, according to the declaration.

The member states described the early settlement of the situation in Afghanistan as one of the most important factors for bolstering stability in the SCO region and stated that Afghanistan should be rebuilt as a “independent, neutral, united, democratic and peaceful state, free from terrorism, war, and drugs”.

The declaration called for the establishment of an inclusive government in Afghanistan with the participation of all ethnic, religious, and political groups, as well as the facilitation of the dignified and sustainable return of Afghan refugees to their homeland.

As Iran became the newest member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on Tuesday, member states emphasized the importance of sustaining the Joint Comprehensive Action Plan for the Iranian nuclear program. In accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2231, all participants must “strictly fulfill their obligations for comprehensive and effective implementation of the document”, according to the declaration.

In the context of economic cooperation, the joint declaration stated that the SCO was “in favor of implementing the roadmap for gradual increase in the proportion of national currencies in mutual settlements by interested member states.”

To promote more equitable and effective international cooperation in the face of a widening technological and digital divide, turbulence in global financial markets, instability of supply chains, obstacles to international trade, and the effects of climate change and the Covivirus-19 pandemic, new approaches are required. All of these factors have contributed to the volatility and unpredictability of the global economy and created new obstacles for economic growth and assuring food and energy security, according to the declaration.

The SCO Summit, attended by the leaders of China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, also adopted two joint statements proposed by India regarding countering radicalisation and cooperation in digital transformation.

According to the joint statement on countering radicalisation, SCO members will strengthen their cooperation to combat radicalisation that leads to terrorism, separatism, and extremism. This will include the exchange of best practices and lessons learned in accordance with the SCO Charter and international law.

The member states will implement programmes to rehabilitate and reintegrate radicalized individuals back into society, thereby preventing their return to terrorist activity. In addition, they will share practical knowledge to ensure the safety of significant international events hosted by member states.

In their second joint statement, members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) acknowledged the role of digital transformation in attaining inclusive and sustainable growth and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Member states will support the integration of digital solutions in priority areas, including the financial sector and the implementation of digital payments.

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In order to assess the social and economic requirements of people, the introduction of digital technologies and the rising number of internet users are generating vast amounts of data that require “robust protection and analysis,” according to the joint statement. In addition, a development strategy founded on the analysis of digital data can address a vast array of issues in economics, health, and education.

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During a bilateral meeting with India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Defence Ministers meeting, he stated, “As major neighboring countries and important developing nations, China and India have far more common than divergent interests. China Military Online reported that the two sides should view bilateral relations and each other’s development from a comprehensive, long-term, and strategic perspective, and jointly contribute wisdom and strength to global and regional peace and stability.

Notably, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh did not exchange a salutation with his Chinese counterpart Li prior to their bilateral meeting, whereas he did so with his Tajik, Iranian, and Kazakh counterparts.

According to China Military Online, Li stated that the situation along the China-India border is generally stable and that both sides have maintained communication through military and diplomatic channels.

“The two sides should adopt a long-term perspective, place the border issue in its proper place in bilateral relations, and facilitate the transition to normalized border management. “It is hoped that the two militaries will work together to enhance mutual trust and make appropriate contributions to the development of bilateral relations,” said Li.

Singh had stated categorically that the development of relations between India and China is contingent upon the existence of peace and tranquility at the border.

He added that all LAC issues must be resolved in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and responsibilities.

Singh reaffirmed that the violation of extant agreements has undermined the entire foundation of bilateral relations, and that disengagement at the border will logically be followed by de-escalation.

India, as SCO Chair in 2023, will host the SCO Defense Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi on April 28, 2023.

The SCO is an international organization founded in 2001. The SCO membership comprises Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan besides India.

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In addition to the member nations, Belarus and Iran will also participate in the SCO Defence Ministers Meeting as observers.

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The Pakistani defense minister, Khwaja Asif, was scheduled to participate virtually in the meeting.

“We should combat terrorism together. If the SCO is to be strengthened, we must fight together. Singh was quoted by the media as saying at a meeting of SCO defense ministers that terror groups are employing new tactics such as social media and crowdsourcing.

At a conclave convened by New Delhi, the defense ministers of India, Russia, China, and other SCO members discussed pressing regional security challenges and related issues. Singh is expected to assess the overall situation in Afghanistan during the meeting.

This forum provides an opportunity for all of us to express our perspectives, concerns, and ideas. This is a vital forum where we can discuss the challenges we face and find solutions, said the defense minister.

“India views the SCO as an essential organization for promoting defense cooperation among its members. Singh stated, “As a nation, we wish to further strengthen the spirit of trust and cooperation among SCO members.”

Singh added that India was completely committed to strengthening the SCO, contributing to the execution of the SCO’s mandate, and confronting our shared challenges.

To ensure the security, stability, and prosperity of the region, we must prioritize our agenda. This will assist in enhancing the quality of existence in each member nation, said Singh.

Regional security situations, including the latest developments in Afghanistan, will be the primary topic of discussion, according to officials involved in the meeting’s preparations, as reported by the media.

Enhancing coordination between SCO member states to effectively combat terrorism and extremism was cited as a second priority.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization has emerged as one of the main transregional international organizations.

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India has demonstrated a strong desire to expand its security-related cooperation with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and its Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS), which focuses on security and defense issues.

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As SCO President, India is scheduled to host a number of meetings.Tuesday, diplomatic sources told The Express Tribune that the Indian government extended an official invitation to the Pakistan Foreign Office.New Delhi provided no prompt confirmation of the Pakistani media report.According to the report, India invited Pakistan’s Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial and shared an invitation for a summit of SCO foreign ministers.

However, the chief justice did not attend the recent meeting of the SCO chief justices; instead, Justice Muneeb Akhtar attended via video link.The meeting of foreign ministers is slated for May in Goa, while the meeting of defence ministers is scheduled for April in New Delhi.The Pakistani government has not yet decided whether Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari or Defense Minister Asif will attend the upcoming meetings in India.

India has invited Bilawal and China’s Qin Gang, among other foreign ministers of SCO member states, to the meeting it will host in May.According to the Pakistan Foreign Office, the decision will be made at the appropriate time.If the Pakistani foreign minister attends in person, it will be the first such visit to India from Islamabad since 2011. The foreign minister of Pakistan, Hina Rabbani Khar, visited India that year. Khar is the minister of state for foreign affairs at present.

In May 2014, the then-prime minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, travelled to India to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inauguration.In December 2015, then-minister of external affairs Sushma Swaraj visited Pakistan, followed by a brief visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.After India’s warplanes bombed a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp in Pakistan’s Balakot in February 2019 in response to the Pulwama terror attack, relations between India and Pakistan were severely strained.

In August 2019, India proclaimed the withdrawal of Jammu and Kashmir’s special powers and the division of the former state into Union territories, which further strained relations.At a summit in Shanghai in 2001, the presidents of Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan established the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

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It has become one of the largest transregional international organisations over the years. In 2017, India and Pakistan became permanent members of the SCO based in Beijing.

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