India Refused to Sign the SCO Defence Meet Joint Statement

Relevance: GS II Important international institutions

India, in a very important political decision, refused to join the joint declaration at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting 2025 because of a lack of consensus. 

• According to the SCO rules, the adoption of a joint statement should be done unanimously, and India thus demonstrated its refusal by its negative vote. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was citing the Indian pledge to peace in the world based on the Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam principle: “One Earth, One Family, One Future.”

SCO’s importance to India

The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) of the SCO can aid in the fight against terrorism.

• Encourages collaboration through programs like the Special Working Group on Innovation and Startups (a proposal from India) and the SCO Young Scientists Conclave.
• Since SCO members are involved in the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), their support may be utilized. Countering China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) also requires such programs.
• Utilizing the SCO’s idea to trade in national money rather than the dollar to challenge the dominance of Western-dominated institutions.

The main challenges facing India at the SCO are the perception of the SCO as an anti-Western organization, the China-Pakistan Axis, China’s silence over Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism, etc.

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About SCO

An Eurasian political, economic, international security, and defense organization is the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). It was founded in Shanghai, China, on June 15, 2001.

• The “Shanghai Five”—China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan—were the founding members of the SCO in 1996. After the Soviet Union broke up, this organization was first established to handle border disputes and security problems. The “Shanghai Five” formally became the SCO in 2001 with the entry of Uzbekistan.
• The SCO now has ten members: Iran (who joined in 2023), Belarus (who joined in 2024), Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and the People’s Republic of China.

Practice Question:

Question: “India’s refusal to sign the SCO Defence Ministers’ joint statement reflects its strategic autonomy and commitment to multilateral consensus.” Critically examine this statement in light of India’s evolving role in multilateral forums like the SCO.

Mains PYQs 

Question: Critically examine the aims and objectives of SCO. What importance does it hold for India? (UPSC IAS 2021)

MCQs

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Question: Which of the following countries were part of the original “Shanghai Five” grouping before the formal establishment of the SCO in 2001?

1. China
2. Russia
3. Uzbekistan
4. Kazakhstan
5. Kyrgyzstan

Select the correct answer using the code below:

1. a) 1, 2, 3 and 4
2. b) 1, 2, 4 and 5
3. c) 1, 3, 4 and 5
4. d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Answer: b) 1, 2, 4 and 5

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