India to Host Virtual SCO Meet Amid Strife in China-Pakistan Ties

It was a warm day in June when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at Ladakh, a strategically sensitive Himalayan region bordering China. Tensions had been brewing between the two countries since May, when troops clashed at the border, leaving at least 20 Indian soldiers dead. Modi's visit was seen as a show of strength and resolve against China, which had been increasingly assertive in the region.

Now, four months later, the situation has only escalated with the addition of new tensions between China and Pakistan. Against this backdrop, India is set to host the virtual meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State on November 30.

The SCO is a regional intergovernmental organization that aims to promote economic, political, and security cooperation among its member states, which include China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, India, and Pakistan. The SCO was founded in 2001 and has since become an important platform for multilateral cooperation in the region.

The Significance of the Virtual SCO Meet

The upcoming SCO meet is significant for several reasons. First and foremost, it will be the first time that the leaders of the member states will meet virtually, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This will be a test of the organization's ability to adapt to the new normal and continue to function effectively.

Second, the meeting comes at a time of growing unrest in the region. The recent China-Pakistan tensions have the potential to destabilize the entire region, which is already dealing with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. The virtual SCO meet presents an opportunity for the member states to discuss ways to maintain regional stability and address the issues that are causing the current instability.

Third, the meeting will be an opportunity for India to showcase its diplomatic skills and leadership, particularly given its ongoing border standoff with China and the deteriorating China-Pakistan ties. India has been a member of the SCO since 2017 and has been active in promoting the organization's objectives.

The importance of the virtual SCO meet can be seen through several quantifiable examples:

• The SCO accounts for nearly half the world's population and a quarter of its GDP.
• The current instability in the region has already had an impact on trade and economic cooperation. For example, India and China's trade volume declined by nearly 20% in 2020 due to the border standoff.
• The SCO has been active in addressing regional security issues, including terrorism and extremism. Since its founding, the organization has conducted joint military exercises and worked toward joint solutions to security problems.
• India's leadership within the SCO has been demonstrated through its hosting of the SCO Heads of Government Council Meeting in 2020 and its participation in various SCO initiatives, such as the SCO Youth Council and the SCO Business Council.

The Way Forward

The virtual SCO meet presents an opportunity for the member states to address the current challenges facing the region. Here are some suggestions for the way forward:

1. The member states should prioritize maintaining regional stability and seek to resolve any outstanding issues through dialogue and diplomacy.
2. The member states should work together to address the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath, including economic recovery and vaccine distribution.
3. The member states should continue to support the SCO's objectives of economic, political, and security cooperation in the region, and work toward strengthening the organization through initiatives such as joint infrastructure projects.

Conclusion

The virtual SCO meet comes at a critical time for the region, with tensions between China, India, and Pakistan threatening to destabilize the entire region. The meeting presents an opportunity for the member states to work together to address the current challenges and maintain regional stability. India's leadership within the organization will be key in moving forward, and the world will be watching to see how the SCO responds to the current crisis.