India’s Diplomatic Rebuff at the SCO: A Stand for Fairness
India’s Diplomatic Rebuff at the SCO: A Stand for Fairness
The recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting hosted in China witnessed a significant diplomatic move by India. India refused to sign the final joint statement document, raising serious concerns about the perceived one-sided approach of the declaration. This act did not go unnoticed and signaled India's evolving strategy within multilateral forums like SCO, especially when national security and regional terrorism are involved.
India’s Refusal to Sign the SCO Statement: A Strong Diplomatic Message
During the meeting, India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh represented the country. However, despite their presence, India chose not to endorse the concluding document. The primary reason cited was the exclusion of the Pahalgam terror attack from the statement. The document made a direct mention of terrorist activities in Balochistan, Pakistan, but conveniently ignored the Pahalgam incident, in which India suspects Chinese involvement or at least passive support through its close alliance with Pakistan.
By declining to endorse the statement, India not only expressed dissatisfaction with the selective condemnation of terror but also called out the imbalance in narrative where one country’s internal issues are highlighted while another’s suffering is overlooked. According to Indian officials, this creates a dangerous precedent where geopolitics overtakes global principles of justice and anti-terrorism.
Background of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization traces its roots back to 1996 when it began as the "Shanghai Five" comprising China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. Initially, the group's aim was to build mutual trust and reduce military forces along their shared borders. Over the years, its scope expanded far beyond border management.
In 2001, Uzbekistan joined the platform, prompting the formation of the SCO in its current form. As its focus shifted towards broader regional security and economic cooperation, new members were welcomed. India and Pakistan became full members in 2017, adding significant weight to the organization, particularly in South Asia. In 2023, Belarus was also admitted as a full member, and Iran had joined shortly before that, strengthening the bloc’s representation in Central and West Asia.
Today, the SCO includes ten member states: India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, and Iran. Observer states include Afghanistan and Mongolia, while dialogue partners include countries like Turkey, Sri Lanka, and others seeking closer ties with the group.
The Core Objectives and Global Significance of SCO
At its core, the SCO was envisioned as a regional security organization aiming to combat terrorism, separatism, and extremism—often termed as the "three evils." However, it has since expanded to cover economic cooperation, cultural exchange, and mutual diplomatic support on global platforms.
Strategically, SCO serves as a counterbalance to Western-dominated alliances such as NATO and groups like the G7. Both Russia and China, who are seen as founders and the key influencers within the SCO, have used it to promote a multipolar world order that reduces Western hegemony. This makes SCO an essential part of global diplomacy, particularly in Eurasia.
The organization collectively represents around 40% of the world’s population and contributes roughly $23 trillion to the global GDP. With such immense demographic and economic weight, SCO has the potential to influence global policy on terrorism, trade, regional stability, and more.
India’s Strategic Role and Concerns Within SCO
India's involvement in SCO brings significant strategic advantages as well as challenges. On the one hand, India sees SCO as a critical platform for fostering regional cooperation, especially in areas like counter-terrorism, connectivity, and economic integration. It also allows India to remain diplomatically engaged with both Central Asian countries and long-time adversaries like China and Pakistan.
One of SCO's most important institutions is the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), headquartered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. This body is tasked with coordinating counter-terrorism efforts among member states and sharing intelligence to combat transnational threats. India has actively participated in RATS and has repeatedly pushed for stronger and more consistent action against terror networks.
However, India's primary concern remains the contradictory stance of SCO when it comes to terrorism—especially the inclusion of Pakistan, a country India accuses of consistently sponsoring cross-border terrorism. India questions how SCO can claim to fight terrorism effectively while including states that allegedly harbor or support terror actors. This contradiction lies at the heart of India’s discontent during the latest meeting.
China and Pakistan’s Influence: The Pahalgam Incident as a Flashpoint
India’s refusal to sign the SCO document was also a rebuke to what it sees as an emerging China-Pakistan alignment within the organization. The Pahalgam attack, which occurred recently in Jammu and Kashmir, resulted in multiple casualties and was condemned domestically. However, India believes the attack has received little international attention, partly due to China's strategic silence and its close ties with Pakistan.
Instead of addressing this incident, the SCO document highlighted terrorism in Balochistan, a province in Pakistan that has long been unstable. While acknowledging terrorism anywhere is important, India perceived this as an attempt to highlight Pakistan’s grievances while sidelining Indian concerns.
This led to India calling out the politicization of terrorism narratives within SCO—a move that underscores the fragile balance of interests and alliances within the organization.
Language, Structure, and Governance: Functional Yet Limited
The SCO has its headquarters in Beijing, China, and conducts its operations primarily in Chinese and Russian. While the organization promotes cooperation, many of its decisions are non-binding, and there are no formal mechanisms to enforce compliance among member states. This makes diplomatic and political consensus difficult, especially when national interests clash—as seen in the latest standoff involving India.
Furthermore, given the ideological and geopolitical divides among members—especially between India and Pakistan, or China and India—SCO’s capacity to act as a cohesive force is often questioned.
The Road Ahead: Reforms and Strategic Engagement
The recent incident involving India could act as a trigger for introspection within the SCO. If the organization genuinely seeks to combat terrorism and promote regional harmony, it must adopt a more balanced approach that treats all acts of terror equally, irrespective of the country or political context.
India’s firm stance has brought to the fore the need for reforms within SCO—especially regarding transparency, inclusiveness, and depoliticization of core agendas. It also signals that while India is willing to cooperate within multilateral frameworks, it will not compromise on national security or allow selective narratives to go unchallenged.
As the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve with increased tensions in Eurasia, growing Western-China rivalry, and new economic alignments, the future of SCO will depend on its ability to remain neutral, effective, and genuinely cooperative. India's role in shaping that future will be critical, not only for its national interests but also for maintaining credibility and balance within the bloc.
Conclusion
India’s decision to not endorse the SCO joint statement is more than just a diplomatic disagreement, it is a powerful assertion of its foreign policy principles and a signal that it expects fair treatment in multilateral forums. As the SCO continues to grow in membership and influence, internal contradictions such as these will need addressing. Only a transparent, consensus-driven, and balanced SCO can truly fulfill its founding vision of peace, stability, and cooperation in the region.