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Iran, Belarus to be newest SCO Members

  • Posted By
    10Pointer
  • Categories
    Polity & Governance
  • Published
    18th Jul, 2022

Iran and Belarus are likely to be the two newest additions to the China and Russia-backed Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) grouping.

Context

Iran and Belarus are likely to be the two newest additions to the China and Russia-backed Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) grouping.

What is Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)?

  • After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the then security and economic architecture in the Eurasian region dissolved and new structures had to come up.
  • The original Shanghai Five were China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan.
  • The SCO was formed in 2001, with Uzbekistan included. 
    • It expanded in 2017 to include India and Pakistan.
  • Since its formation, the SCO has focused on regional non-traditional security, with counter-terrorism as a priority.
  • The fight against the “three evils” of terrorism, separatism and extremism has become its mantra. 
  • Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) aims to maintain peace, security and stability in the region.
    • Today, areas of cooperation include themes such as economics and culture.

 Reason behind the expansion of SCO

  • China and Russia are looking to frame the grouping as a counter to the West — particularly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
  • China wishes to draw a sharp contrast between the SCO and NATO.

 Upcoming summits of SCO

  • The 2022 annual summit of the SCO will be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
  • The 2023 SCO summit will be hosted by India.
    • Varanasi has been selected as the SCO region’s first “Tourism and Cultural Capital”.
    • India will also be chairing the summit. 

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