Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit 2024:
The 2024 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit was concluded in Astana, Kazakhstan and brought together leaders from across the region.
- India played a prominent role, with the External Affairs Minister delivering the Prime Minister’s message that highlighted combating terrorism and addressing climate change as key priorities.
Key Highlights of SCO Summit 2024:
- Belarus has become the 10th member state of the SCO. The Indian External Affairs Minister met with Belarusian counterpart to strengthen bilateral ties.
- The 24th SCO Summit in Astana adopted the Astana Declaration and approved 25 strategic agreements on energy, security, trade, finance, and information security.
- Members of the SCO adopted the SCO Development Strategy until 2035, including resolutions on combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism, anti-drug strategy, energy cooperation, economic development, and cooperation in protected areas and eco-tourism.
- Commitments also included signing a memorandum to combat illicit drug trafficking and an interaction plan on international information security issues.
- India’s External Affairs Minister met the Chinese Foreign Minister on the margins of the SCO Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan.
- Both ministers emphasised the need for “complete disengagement” of troops and restoring peace along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
- The two ministers agreed to expedite efforts through diplomatic and military channels to resolve remaining issues in Eastern Ladakh.
- The ‘Make in India’ initiative was highlighted as it has the potential to become a significant engine for global economic growth.
- India expressed openness to partnering with other nations, particularly those in the Global South, for capacity building and economic development.
- At the SCO summit, the External Affairs Minister of India urged the global community to isolate countries that harbour terrorists and condone terrorism.
- He emphasised the need to counter cross-border terrorism and highlighted the importance of combating terrorism as a foundational goal of the SCO.
- India has been proactive in enhancing its security-related cooperation within the SCO framework, particularly through the Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS), which focuses on security and defence issues.
- The Russian President emphasised the SCO’s role in promoting a fair, multipolar world order.
