The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) held its Annual Prime Ministers meeting in Islamabad on October 15-16. Leaders of 10 member countries, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Iran and, Belarus participated in the meeting. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar represented India at this meeting.
The SCO was formed in 1996 by Russia, China and three Central Asian states that were once part of the Soviet Union — Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan — as the “Shanghai Five”. Uzbekistan, another former Soviet republic, joined the group five years later. In the period following the end of the Cold War, and in conditions where US imperialism sought to establish puppet regimes in various former Soviet states in the name of “velvet” or “colour” revolutions, the SCO was formed to prevent interference by US imperialism and other powers outside of the region. Wanting to play a role in this region, both India and Pakistan joined as members in 2017, while Iran joined the group last year.
Together, the SCO countries represent 40% of the world population, 80% of the territory of Eurasia as well as a significant share of the world’s oil and gas reserves. Over the years, issues of enhancing transport and connectivity in this region have come to assume more prominence.
India has been objecting to the biggest connectivity project in this region, sponsored by China and known as the “Belt and Road Initiative” (BRI). India’s objections have been fanned by the US, which is opposed to the growing influence of China over various countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe through this project.
The Indian bourgeoisie seeks to expand its markets and sources of raw materials, and sphere of influence in Asia. It is collaborating with Iran in developing the Chabahar Port. India is trying to build a rail line connecting Chabahar to Russia through Afghanistan and the Central Asian countries. When the US imposed sanctions on Iran, the Indian government stopped building the Chabahar port. However, over the past year, the Indian government has shown that it will take measures to circumvent the sanctions imposed by the US and build the port in Chabahar. With its strategic interests in mind, the Indian bourgeoisie does not want to be isolated in the SCO. The decision to participate in the SCO meeting in Islamabad is aimed at advancing its strategic interests in Asia.
Significantly, the SCO meeting placed on record the group’s opposition to unilateral trade sanctions. This was a clear reference to the use of such measures by US imperialism and its allies against countries like Russia, China and Iran.