SCO meet highlighted flux in Eurasia; Delhi must help push new connectivity initiatives with region

Source– The post is based on the following articles

“SCO meet highlighted flux in Eurasia; Delhi must help push new connectivity initiatives with region” published in the Indian Express on 19th September 2022.

“Era of war is over” published in The Hindu on 19th September 2022.

Syllabus: GS2 – Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Relevance– About SCO Summit

News: Recently, the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Samarkand concluded with India taking over as chair of the regional forum.

What are the key highlights from the summit?

What are the challenges associated with SCO?

1) New lines of fracture within SCO: There is growing unease among the SCO member states at the continuing conflict in Ukraine. Many states, especially the former republics of the Soviet Union, are deeply worried about Russia doing a “Ukraine” on them. So these republics are looking to establish other partnerships, especially with China, Turkey, and India to enhance their strategic autonomy.

2) Lack of direct connectivity with India: India’s ability to contribute to peace and prosperity in Eurasia is hampered due to a lack of direct connectivity to the region.

What should India do as an SCO chair?

a) Despite the tensions, India needs to ensure the participation of all SCO members including China and Pakistan, b) Improve the connectivity with the Eurasian region: India must push through new connectivity initiatives with Eurasia. The entry of Iran into the forum opens the door for greater connectivity, c) On terrorism, India will have to ensure the SCO walks the talk on building a new consolidated list of terrorist groups.

India will also have to balance its ties, especially as the polarisation between the U.S.-EU coalition and a Russia-China-led combine continues to grow.