BRICS & SCO 2.0
- By Xu Qinduo
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E-mail CRI, July 14, 2015
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Chinese President Xi Jinping poses for photos with leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) members and observers, the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) leaders, leaders of invited countries and the BRICS nations, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa in Ufa, Russia, July 9, 2015. [Xinhua/Rao Aimin] |
If you are confused with the many acronyms, projects and plans out of the two recent summit meetings of Shanghai Cooperation Organization, or SCO, and BRICS countries, which were lumped together in the Russian city of Ufa, you'll be forgiven. Despite that, substantial progresses have been generated during the gatherings, which are expected to bring about massive changes to the developing world.
The most tangible among the achievements is the enlargement of the SCO to include both India and Pakistan.
Founded in 2001 as a regional security group, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization now house China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
The acceptance of India and Pakistan is significant in many aspects. The enlargement of SCO, the first in its history, points to a direction of SCO being more impactful in an expanded region. By reaching out to new members, the organization demonstrates its revitalization as a force to be reckoned with.
The membership of India and Pakistan, who have a fraught relationship, could ease their conflicts. The SCO will provide more opportunities for leaders from the neighbours to meet and talk over their issues. Secondly, the SCO could also act as a collective body to facilitate the seeking of a solution to their disputes. Common goals and responsibilities shared by India and Pakistan as SCO members will help bind them together instead of further dividing them.
Iran is poised to join the SCO once the sanctions are to be lifted, following the completion of talks on its nuclear program. Afghanistan, now a dialogue partner, could also follow suit in the next years.
One of the missions of the SCO is to deal with nonconventional threat - terrorism, drug trafficking and organized crimes. Countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran are in the frontline in the war on terror. Their inclusion will enable SCO to devise better strategies and policies in jointly cracking down on extremism in this region to maintain peace and stability.
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