Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO): Introduction, Levels of Meeting and India’s Position

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is an intergovernmental organization that promotes cooperation and dialogue among countries in the Eurasian region. It was established in 2001 and is headquartered in Beijing, China. The SCO membership consists of eight countries: China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, and Pakistan.

The SCO works to address issues such as regional security, economic development, and cultural exchange, and it also serves as a forum for discussing regional issues and promoting regional cooperation. The SCO has a number of sub-regional and sectoral bodies that focus on specific issues, such as energy, transportation, and agriculture.

Levels of meeting

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) holds a number of meetings at different levels to advance its goals and promote cooperation among its member countries. Some examples include:

1. Heads of State Council – This is the highest level of decision-making body in the SCO, and it is composed of the heads of state of all SCO member countries. The Heads of State Council meets once a year to discuss and adopt policies and decisions on key issues.
2. Council of Heads of Government – This is the second highest level of decision-making body in the SCO, and it is composed of the heads of government of all SCO member countries. The Council of Heads of Government meets once a year to discuss and adopt policies and decisions on economic and trade issues.
3. Council of Foreign Ministers – This is a standing body of the SCO that is responsible for the organization’s foreign policy and external relations. The Council of Foreign Ministers meets twice a year to discuss and adopt policies and decisions on regional and international issues.
4. Council of National Coordinators – This is a standing body of the SCO that is responsible for coordinating the implementation of SCO policies and programs. The Council of National Coordinators meets twice a year to discuss and adopt policies and decisions on a range of issues.
5. Council of Ministers of Defence – This is a standing body of the SCO that is responsible for coordinating the organization’s activities in the field of defence and security. The Council of Ministers of Defence meets once a year to discuss and adopt policies and decisions on regional security issues.
6. Council of Top Security Officials: This is an informal meeting of top national security officials from eight countries, where NSAs gather to discuss security issues.

India and SCO

India is one of the eight member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). India joined the SCO as a full member in 2017, along with Pakistan. India has been an observer at the SCO since 2005, and it has actively participated in the organization’s activities and initiatives.

India views the SCO as an important platform for promoting regional cooperation and addressing issues such as security, economic development, and cultural exchange in the Eurasian region. India has also used the SCO as a forum to engage with China and other countries in the region on a range of issues, including counter-terrorism, energy security, and trade. India has a number of ongoing projects and initiatives with the SCO, including a joint counter-terrorism exercise and a cultural exchange program.