A virtual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was held on Tuesday. Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also attended the meeting. India presided over the meeting. The purpose of the leaders of the member countries in the joint presence seemed to be focused on different issues.
What issue did the Prime Minister of India, PM Modi raise?
In the summit, PM Modi targeted Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, saying that some countries use cross-border terrorism as a tool of their policies. He also called upon the SCO to criticize such countries. PM Modi said that there can be no place for double standards in such serious matters.
Host of the meeting Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi also used this platform to signal the growing stature of his country. Hitting out at its arch-rival Pakistan, India called on other countries to unite in the ‘fight against terrorism’.
What did Russian President Vladimir Putin say
In the meeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia will continue to oppose Western sanctions after Moscow’s attack on Ukraine. Putin supported trade agreements between SCO countries in local currencies. Putin said that these steps should be seen as an attempt to reduce the sanctions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned stopping Wagner’s rebellion. Putin said that the SCO is a regional framework on security and economic cooperation under the leadership of China and Russia.
Let us tell you that this was the first time since the rebellion of the Wagner Group in late June that Putin was seen with international leaders.
The way Russian President Vladimir V. Putin referred to the Wagner Group at the Shanghai meeting appeared to be a platform for him to show his might after the Wagner mutiny and claim international support for the Ukraine-Russia war Was.
What did Xi Jinping say
For China’s top leader Xi Jinping, the summit was another opportunity to corner the United States by calling for an end to “power politics”. Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed to abandon the dollar during the SCO conference.
How important was this summit for India
The member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) accepted the New Delhi Declaration on Tuesday. This was announced by Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra after the digital summit organized by India. According to Kwatra, the nations issued two joint statements – one on cooperation in countering separatism, extremism and radicalization leading to terrorism and the other on cooperation in the field of digital transformation.
India opposes China’s Belt and Road Initiative
India presented its stand regarding China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Targeting China over this ambitious project, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that connectivity projects are important but it is also necessary to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries.
At the summit, Modi said, “Strong connectivity is essential for the progress of any region. Connectivity not only enhances mutual trade, but also fosters mutual trust. But in these efforts, the basic principles of the SCO charter must be maintained.” In particular, it is necessary to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the member states.
India refused to support the BRI at the end of a virtual summit of the grouping comprising China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and now Iran. Became the only country to do so.
Why is India against BRI?
Ever since the project started and countries started signing up for it, India has regularly protested and even External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has expressed concern over the infrastructure project.
India’s biggest issue with BRI is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). It runs from Kashgar in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region to Gwadar port in southwest Balochistan, Pakistan. After that it enters the Indian territory occupied by Pakistan in Gilgit Baltistan.
In addition, the investment project includes the renovation and upgrading of Pakistan’s National Highway 35 – Karakoram Highway or the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway. Along with this, the renewal of the highway connecting Gilgit to Skardu in the north of the Line of Control (LoC) is also included.
India is of the opinion that this project violates sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as international laws.
India is also concerned that the project increases China’s strategic presence in the region. He also fears that such an initiative will make India dependent on China. In 2017 itself, India had expressed this concern when it was invited to join the project.
What else was important to mention in this meeting for India
There was no mention of the growing confrontation between China and India. According to the news of New York Times, this issue has brought historically non-aligned India closer to the United States.
Ian Chong, associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore, told the New York Times that, “All countries were trying to make the issues appear normal. They showed that things were under control. India tried to show that in Russia The ongoing problems will not matter. Also, India expressed its desire to improve relations with the US. India did not openly mention the Russia-Ukraine war. Pointed towards making it better.
Let us tell you that last month in Russia, Putin was facing the biggest challenge so far in his rule of more than two decades. Wagner’s mercenary forces tried to topple Russia’s military leadership. Although Putin has definitely resolved the matter, but questions have definitely been raised on his power. After the rebellion of the Wagner group, questions have also been raised on Putin’s authority and future, which will become a challenge for India.
What China said about America and India
Xi saw this virtual meeting as an opportunity to make China’s influence bigger than that of America. He described the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as a way to “reform global governance” and promote “Chinese-style modernisation”. During the meeting, Xi talked about the challenges facing China and its allies in expanding business and economic sectors.
Where India fits into that vision remains to be seen. Although the prime minister Narendra Modi Called upon all members to promote trade, connectivity and technical cooperation.
This is the reason why India has maintained stable economic relations with Russia after the Russian attack on Ukraine. But due to the border dispute, India’s relations with China have deteriorated.
On the other hand, a high-profile visit of PM Modi to Washington last month has sharpened China’s suspicions. China is thinking that India is coming closer to the United States to stop the rise of China.
Despite those tensions, India kept its interest in the summit. Explain that India depends on Central Asian countries for energy supply and India also wants to maintain its influence in Afghanistan. Pakistan has a deep influence on Afghanistan.
Modi lauded the summit as ‘an important platform’ for peace and prosperity. PM Modi urged the group to condemn countries that ‘use terrorism as a tool’. PM Modi’s comment was in reference to Pakistan, which India accuses of sponsoring terrorists in the disputed Kashmir region.
Putin and Xi discuss trade expansion
Russian President Putin said that more than 80% of trade between China and Russia is done in ruble and yuan. He urged other SCO members to follow the same process. He also welcomed Russia’s ally Belarus’ application to become a permanent member of the SCO next year.
