"India at SCO Bishkek Summit: Counter-Terrorism, BRICS Linkages, and Central Asia Outreach"
SECURE Framework
India's six-point SCO engagement agenda — Security, Economy and Trade, Connectivity, Unity, Respect for Sovereignty, Environment.
Three Evils
SCO's founding security mandate targeting terrorism, separatism, and extremism.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a Eurasian political, economic, and security grouping formally established in 2001, building on the earlier Shanghai Five framework. Its founding charter committed members to combating the 'three evils': terrorism, separatism, and extremism. India joined as a full member in 2017 at the Astana Summit, alongside Pakistan. The SCO now has 10 full member states: Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, plus 15 Dialogue Partners and 2 Observers.
India's strategic priorities within the SCO were articulated through the 'SECURE' framework at the 2018 Qingdao Summit: Security; Economy and Trade; Connectivity; Unity; Respect for Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity; and Environment. India chaired the Council of Heads of State during 2022–2023, placing it at the centre of the SCO's agenda-setting for that cycle. The organisation's apex body, the Council of Heads of State, meets annually to set strategic direction, while the Council of Heads of Government focuses on economic cooperation.
The SCO presents India with a structural paradox. On one hand, it offers a platform to engage Central Asian Republics (CARs), advance connectivity through the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), and participate in Eurasian economic integration. On the other, the grouping is dominated by China and Russia, includes Pakistan, and has historically leaned toward a multipolar worldview that sometimes conflicts with India's own foreign policy positions.
India's counter-terrorism agenda within the SCO is a recurring point of friction. India consistently pushes for strong language against cross-border terrorism and calls on members to avoid 'double standards'. Pakistan, however, is also a full member, creating a structural tension in building consensus on terrorism-related declarations. …
Critically examine the aims and objectives of SCO. What importance does it hold for India?
'Virus of Conflict is affecting the functioning of the SCO.' In the light of the above statement, point out the role of India in mitigating the problems.
Critically analyse India's evolving diplomatic, economic and strategic relations with the Central Asian Republics (CARs) highlighting their increasing significance in regional and global geopolitics.
Consider the following:
1.Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
2.Missile Technology Control Regime
3.Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
India is a member of which of the above?
Consider the following statements regarding the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO):
1.India joined the SCO as a full member in 2017 at the Astana Summit.
2.The SCO currently has 10 full member states.
3.The SCO's founding mandate targets terrorism, separatism, and extremism — collectively called the 'three evils'.
4.India articulated its 'SECURE' framework for SCO engagement at the 2017 Astana Summit.
How many of the above statements are correct?
Consider the following statements regarding India's 'SECURE' framework within the SCO:
1.'S' stands for Security, specifically against the 'three evils' of terrorism, separatism, and extremism.
2.'C' stands for Connectivity, including the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
3.'R' stands for Respect for Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity.
4.'E' (the second E) stands for Energy cooperation.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Consider the following pairs of SCO member states and their status at the time of India's membership:
1.Pakistan — Joined as full member in 2017 alongside India
2.Iran — Joined as full member in 2023
3.Belarus — Joined as full member in 2024
4.Mongolia — Full member since 2001
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
With reference to the Bishkek SCO Summit, consider the following statements:
1.The Bishkek declaration included strong language on 'all forms' of terrorism, including cross-border terrorism.
2.Pakistan assumed the SCO chairmanship following the Bishkek Summit.
3.The Bishkek declaration affirmed Iran's right to peaceful nuclear technology under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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