SCO AND MULTI POLAR WORLD.

 Regional groupings can play a decisive role in peace,  stability and growth provided member countries are committed and accomodative in their approach.The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation virtual summit held in New Delhi with the theme "Towards a SECURE(Security, Economic development, Connectivity, Unity,Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and environmental protection) chaired by Indian Prime minister on July 4th   urged for a 'more representative ' and multipolar world order in the global interest.The group also  inducted Iran  as it's 9th member of SCO.This organization was originally established in the aftermath of the disintegration of erstwhile USSR,  in 1996 with five members popularly known as Shanghai five. namely Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan  and China to deal with series of border demarcation and demilitarisation discussions with the former Soviet Republics held with China to ensure peace and stability in the region.In 2001 when Uzbekistan joined organization as the 6th member it was renamed as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).In 2017 both India and Pakistan became members of SCO with the support of  Russia and China respectively.SCO has been functioning as an inter governmental ,Euroasian, political,  economic and security alliance . It has admitted observers  comprising of Afghanistan, Belarus, and Mongolia and six dialogue partners namely Azerbaijan, Armenia,,Cambodia, Nepal, Turkey and Srilanka. The SCO group member countries account for about 40% of global population,one third of Global GDP,20 percent of global trade,one fifth of global oil reserves and about 44 percent of natural gas reserves. Regional security and connectivity are vital for the development of each country.In July 2023 Iran became the 9th member of the  Organisation. In 2022 SCO Summit held in Samarkand Uzbekistan, the  declaration advocated "commitment to peaceful settlement of differences and disputes through dialogue and consultations " .The principles of mutual respect of sovereignty independence, territorial integrity, of the states,equality, mutual benefit, non interference in internal affairs and non use or threat of use of force etc are adopted as the basis of sustainable development of international relations. India has also emphasised  five new pillars and focus area of cooperation in the SCO meet  which include-startups and innovation, Traditional Medicine,Youth Empowerment, Digital inclusion and Shared Buddhist Heritage.

In the New Delhi declaration issued at the end of SCO leaders summit recently India refused to sign  the paragraph supporting China's Belt and Road Initiative.India has always opposed BRI because some projects like China-Pakistan economic Corridor increasingly violates India's territorial integrity and sovereignty. The present agreement signed included-the New Delhi declaration, Outlining areas of cooperation between SCO countries;a joint  statement on countering radicalisation and other on Digital transformation, where India offered to share expertise on Digital Payments interface such as UPI.With respect to US and western sanctions imposed against Russia  and Iran. The sanctions were  criticised  by SCO members jointly on the ground that non- United Nations (UN) sanctions are  incompatible with the  principles of international law.Previous year's  Samarkand declaration of SCO 2022 endorsed by countries including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Russia supported Chinese BRI.The New Delhi declaration on the other hand stated that "The member states consider it important to build up joint coordinated efforts by international community to counter the activities of terrorists, separatists and extremist groups paying special attention to preventing the spread of religious intolerance, aggressive nationalism,ethnic and racial discrimination, xenophobia ideas of fascism and  chauvinism. Modi  highlighted the challenges of food, fuel and fertilizer crisis faced by countries across the world and called for reforms and modernisation within SCO. "  In a world surrounded by conflicts, tensions and pandemics ..........we should collectively ponder upon whether we are capable as an organization, of fulfilling the aspirations and expectations of our people.Are we equipped to tackle modern day challenges. In this context India supported proposals for reforms and modernisation within SCO.Accordingly India also offered AI based language platform 'BHASHINI' to remove language barriers within the group, an example of Digital Technology and inclusive growth. While China continued to  promote BRI projects and six member countries continued to provide solid support to China's Belt and Road Initiative. 

In effect SCO continues to be the forum under whose umbrella both Moscow and Beijing can address their common cause.Main challenges faced by the organization as such include terrorism, seperatism and extremism. RATS a permanent body (Regional Anti Terrorist Structure ) is designed to promote cooperation among member countries in the fight against terrorism, seperatism and extremism.Main drawbacks to achieve these goals are lack of finances for the implementation of joint projects and conflicting nations interests which have prevented the SCO from achieving a higher level of regional cooperation. .On the other hand another grouping the South Asian Association for Regional  Cooperation (SAARC) was originally established in December 1985 with the objective of accelerating the process of economic and social development in member countries through joint action in the agreed areas of cooperation. To achieve the declared objectives SAARC had taken measures like-SAARC Preferential Trade Agreement SAPTA in1995. South Asian Free Trade Area SAFTA(2006). SAFTA recognized the need for special and preferential treatment fo less developed countries. India being the largest and economically strong   country among the SAARC members has been giving tariff concessions to other member countries .Despite this India's investment in member countries remained very negligible.India has deepened connectivity particularly with Bangladesh.As far as the functioning of both SCO and BRICS (Brazil ,Russia India China and South Africa) are concerned both aimed at Countering the threat from USA.Central Asian rulers welcomed the protection offered by Russia and China against probable threat of 'change in regime ' sponsored by the west.While the focus of BRICS was global in nature SCO was largely regional.Incidentally there is a clamour for membership in both organizations and there is apprehension that indiscriminate expansion of membership may turn to be counterproductive. 

India has been aspiring for a multipolar  world in the 1990s after the end of cold war.But dynamic changes occurred due to globalisation and liberalisation in the world changing power equations . China's GDP is higher than the combined GDP of other member countries both In BRICS and SCO.At the same time India continues to be the fastest growing economy with spectacular performance in service sector exports, Digitalisation, AI,IT,Unicorns etc. Already different studies have indicated about the emergence of several big and small countries with adequate resources, capabilities and location to influence geopolitical outcome.It has been further observed that there will be 20 largest economies in the world by 2050 and the world economy is expected to grow  130% by 2050 with China commanding a 20% share of the world GDP in ( based on purchasing power parity).India will leap frog the USA's  current economic title, while European Union's share of global GDP may shrunk below 10%.In short by all means there is the possibility for a multipolar world to evolve with two or more great or regional powers competing for hegemony sometimes even competing for Cooperative power. Obviously the emerging multipolar world will be largely Asia centric.