By Zamir Ahmed Awan
Pakistan and India are full members of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The crisis between Pakistan and India are a big challenge for SCO. As per Article 2 of Charter of SCO, the member States of SCO shall adhere to the following principles:
· Mutual respect of sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity of States and inviolability of State borders, non-aggression, non-interference in internal affairs, non-use of force or threat of its use in international relations, seeking no unilateral military superiority in adjacent areas;
· Equality of all member States, search of common positions on the basis of mutual understanding and respect for opinions of each of them;
· Gradual implementation of joint activities in the spheres of mutual interest;
· Peaceful settlement of disputes between the member States;
· SCO being not directed against other States and international organizations;
· Prevention of any illegitimate acts directed against the SCO interests;
· Implementation of obligations arising out of the present Charter and other documents adopted within the framework of SCO, in good faith.
In fact, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), was created in Shanghai, China, on June 15, 2001, is a political, economic, and security organization of Eurasia in nature. Originally it included 6 countries namely China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Later on Pakistan and India also joined on June 09, 2017 at a summit in Astana, Kazakhstan. Currently it has 8 members and 4 observer states like: Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia. There are also 6 dialogue partners too, which includes: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Turkey. They hold summit meeting every year in one of member countries. Last year the annual summit was held in June 2018 in Qingdao city, China. Government of Pakistan gives it very high importance and committed to actively participate.
With the main goals and Tasks as:
· To strengthen mutual trust, friendship and good neighborliness between the Member States;
· To consolidate multidisciplinary cooperation in the maintenance and strengthening of peace, security and stability in the region and promotion of a new democratic, fair and rational political and economic international order;
· To jointly counteract terrorism, separatism and extremism in all their manifestations, to fight against illicit narcotics and arms trafficking and other types of criminal activity of a transnational character, and also illegal migration;
· To encourage the efficient regional cooperation in such spheres as politics, trade and economy, defense, law enforcement, environment protection, culture, science and technology, education, energy, transport, credit and finance, and also other spheres of common interest;
· To facilitate comprehensive and balanced economic growth, social and cultural development in the region through joint action on the basis of equal partnership for the purpose of a steady increase of living standards and improvement of living conditions of the peoples of the member States;
· To coordinate approaches to integration into the global economy;
· To promote human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with the international obligations of the member States and their national legislation;
· To maintain and develop relations with other States and international organizations;
· To cooperate in the prevention of international conflicts and in their peaceful settlement;
· To jointly search for solutions to the problems that would arise in the 21st century.
Achievements were witnessed as long as it was in limited to original 6 founding member’s organization till 2017. But now it has already added two new member Pakistan and Indian in 2017 and wanted to expand further in future to involve 4 observer and 6 dialogue members.
If SCO failed to resolve Pakistan-India Crisis within the framework of SCO amicably, the expansion may not be so smooth. There are two big countries, China and Russia, if they cannot convince India to come to negotiating table, then the future of SCO may not be so bright.
India is rival to China and having territorial disputes. They have fought a full-scal war in 1962 and stand-off in 2017 on Doklam. India strongly opposes China’s mega initiative BRI openly. On the other hand, India kept distance from Russia for last couple of decades and joined US club. India has become second largest beneficiary of US assistance, after Israel. US has provided latest weapons worth US Dollars 15 billion to India and signed agreement as “Major Defense Partner”. US is providing latest technologies and economic assistance to India in addition to political support. India is member of US backed Indo-Pacific Alliance with Japan, Australia and US, to counter China and Russia.
How China and Russia can bring India to table for dialogue to resolve its all disputes with Pakistan within the framework of SCO, will decide the future of SCO. It is worth mentioning that, both Pakistan and India are nuclear states and possesses enough weapons to destroy each other completely. If war escalates, nuclear weapons may engulf the whole region and may cause an irreversible disaster to humanity globally. It is very serious issue and International community may address before it is too late.
Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Sinologist (ex-Diplomate), Non-Resident Fellow of CCG (Center for China and Globalization), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan.