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The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), designed to promote multilateral cooperation among its member states, found itself at a crossroads during the recent Defence Ministers' meeting. India, represented by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, vehemently advocated for the inclusion of a reference to terrorism in the outcome document. This stance stemmed from India's deep-seated concerns about cross-border terrorism, particularly that allegedly emanating from Pakistan. Jaishankar articulated India's position, emphasizing that the core objective of the SCO is to combat terrorism, rendering any outcome document devoid of such a reference unacceptable. Rajnath Singh's actions further underscored India's resolve, as he refused to sign the joint communique due to the omission of the Pahalgam terror attack and the failure to explicitly address India's concerns regarding Pakistan-backed terrorism. This refusal signaled a significant departure from the typical consensus-based decision-making process within the SCO and highlighted the importance India places on addressing terrorism within the organization's framework. The impasse arose from the opposition of a single member state, widely understood to be Pakistan, to the inclusion of a terrorism reference in the document. While Jaishankar refrained from explicitly naming Pakistan, his oblique reference left little doubt about the source of the disagreement. The Pakistani side, according to sources, reportedly sought to include a paragraph on militant activities in Balochistan, an apparent attempt to deflect blame and counter India's accusations of cross-border terrorism. This dynamic reflects the complex and often strained relationship between India and Pakistan, which continues to cast a shadow over regional cooperation initiatives such as the SCO. The disagreement over the terrorism reference highlights a fundamental divergence in perspectives regarding the nature and scope of terrorism in the region. India views cross-border terrorism as a critical threat to its security and stability, while Pakistan, seemingly, seeks to broaden the definition of terrorism to include activities within its own borders, potentially to deflect attention from accusations of state-sponsored or tolerated terrorism. The SCO's principle of unanimity posed a significant challenge in resolving this impasse. With one member state opposed to the terrorism reference, the outcome document could not be adopted with India's support. This situation underscores the limitations of consensus-based decision-making in organizations comprised of states with conflicting interests and priorities. The future of the SCO's counter-terrorism efforts remains uncertain in light of this disagreement. While the organization has established mechanisms and frameworks for cooperation in combating terrorism, the lack of consensus on a fundamental issue such as defining and addressing terrorism could undermine its effectiveness. India's strong stance on the terrorism reference reflects its commitment to addressing this issue within the SCO and its willingness to challenge the organization's established norms in pursuit of its security interests. The outcome of this dispute could have significant implications for the SCO's credibility and its ability to serve as a platform for regional cooperation on counter-terrorism and other shared challenges. Further, this incident could compel the SCO to revisit its decision-making processes and explore alternative mechanisms for addressing disagreements and ensuring that the organization's objectives are effectively pursued.
The strategic implications of this event extend beyond the immediate context of the SCO meeting. India's assertive foreign policy, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has prioritized counter-terrorism and actively sought to isolate Pakistan on the international stage. This incident demonstrates India's willingness to leverage multilateral forums like the SCO to advance its strategic objectives and exert pressure on Pakistan. The breakdown in consensus over the terrorism reference could also prompt India to re-evaluate its engagement with the SCO and explore alternative avenues for regional security cooperation. While India remains committed to multilateralism, it is also likely to prioritize bilateral and trilateral partnerships with like-minded countries that share its concerns about terrorism and regional stability. The United States, for example, has been a strong partner of India in counter-terrorism efforts, and this cooperation is likely to intensify in the years to come. Similarly, India's growing strategic partnership with countries like Australia and Japan, under the framework of the Quad, provides another avenue for addressing regional security challenges. Pakistan's opposition to the terrorism reference underscores its continued efforts to deflect blame for its alleged support for cross-border terrorism and to portray itself as a victim of terrorism. However, this strategy is increasingly facing international scrutiny and skepticism. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), for example, has repeatedly placed Pakistan on its grey list for failing to effectively combat money laundering and terrorist financing. This has had significant economic consequences for Pakistan and further isolated it on the international stage. The SCO's response to the India-Pakistan dispute will be closely watched by the international community. The organization's ability to address this challenge effectively will determine its credibility as a platform for regional security cooperation and its relevance in addressing the growing threat of terrorism. The SCO may need to consider adopting more flexible decision-making processes that allow for the expression of dissenting views while still enabling the organization to pursue its core objectives. One possible solution could be to adopt a system of qualified majority voting on certain issues, such as counter-terrorism, where consensus is difficult to achieve. Alternatively, the SCO could establish a mechanism for addressing disputes between member states through mediation or arbitration.
The evolving geopolitical landscape in Asia is also shaping the dynamics within the SCO. The rise of China as a major global power has significant implications for the organization's future. China is a key member of the SCO and has invested heavily in its development. However, China's growing assertiveness in the region has also raised concerns among some member states, including India. The India-China relationship remains complex, characterized by both cooperation and competition. While India and China have engaged in dialogue to address their border disputes and promote economic cooperation, significant differences remain on a range of issues, including China's support for Pakistan and its growing military presence in the Indian Ocean. The SCO provides a platform for India and China to engage in dialogue and manage their differences, but it also reflects the underlying tensions in their relationship. The future of the SCO will depend, in part, on the ability of India and China to find common ground and work together to address shared challenges. The organization also needs to adapt to the changing security environment in the region, which is increasingly characterized by complex and interconnected threats. These threats include not only terrorism but also cybercrime, drug trafficking, and climate change. The SCO needs to develop a comprehensive and integrated approach to addressing these challenges, which requires enhanced cooperation and coordination among its member states. In conclusion, the India-Pakistan dispute over the terrorism reference in the SCO outcome document highlights the complex challenges facing the organization. The disagreement reflects fundamental differences in perspectives on the nature and scope of terrorism, as well as the broader geopolitical dynamics in the region. The SCO's ability to address this challenge effectively will determine its credibility as a platform for regional security cooperation and its relevance in the face of evolving threats. India's assertive foreign policy and its commitment to counter-terrorism are likely to continue to shape its engagement with the SCO and its pursuit of regional security objectives. The future of the SCO will depend on the ability of its member states to find common ground and work together to address shared challenges in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect. The organization's success will require not only political will but also effective mechanisms for addressing disputes and ensuring that its objectives are effectively pursued. Without a concerted effort to address these challenges, the SCO risks becoming increasingly irrelevant in a rapidly changing world.
Source: Jaishankar says SCO statement without terrorism reference unacceptable to India