Strategic autonomy: India’s membership of SCO serves its interests and is not at odds with its other alliances

Source– The post is based on the article “Strategic autonomy: India’s membership of SCO serves its interests and is not at odds with its other alliances” published in The Times of India on 16th September 2022.

Syllabus: GS2- Regional and global grouping

Relevance– About SCO

News-The article explains the relevance of SCO for India.

PM Modi is attending the 22nd summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

What are some facts about SCO?

SCO accounts for 40% of the global population and 30% of GDP.

Majority of SCO members have a pronounced anti-western position.

What is its significance for India and what are the limitations?

SCO is important from the perspective of India’s strategic autonomy.For example, during the Ukraine crisis, we imported crude oil from both US and Russia.

SCO is a reminder of pragmatism in foreign policy that we can have an economic relationship with adversaries.For example, both Japan and Australia, despite being members of Quad, have close economic integration with China.

What are the limitations?

Gains from SCO will be limited on account of China.Given the structural nature of disputes between them,bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit will not be successful.