Shanghai Cooperatio Org

20th Summit was the first SCO Summit held in Virtual Format. India to set up a Special Working Group on Innovation and Startups and a Sub Group on Traditional Medicine within SCO.

Significance of India's membership 

• Security 
• work against terrorism,separatism,extremism align with India's interest
• Part in RATS and joint military exercises enhance capability 
• Platform for bilateral negotiations with pak 
• counter pak propaganda on multinational forums like org for islamic Coop
• Work against illegal trade of drugs along golden crescent pak Afghan iran 
• Political
• Platform to achieve extended role in neighbourhood and renew bilateral ties with other members
• Curb  terrorism at global org 
• Iran and Afghan presence make it imp to discuss regional crises 
• scuttle influence of Pakistan in Central Asia
• Economic
• SCO 42%world pop 20%GDP FTA with Eurasian union can provide wider market 
• Potential to boost tourism sector 
• CAR is rich in iron-ore, coal, oil, gas, gold, lead, zinc, molybdenum, uranium, gold, gas and energy etc. India’s economic diplomacy in SCO is focused less on Russia, China and Pakistan and more on CARs.
• Energy 
• Mineral trade via central asia 
• Sco countries huge potential of natural resources avenue for indian companies 
• SCO energy club 
• Help reduce import of oil bill for india as region with some largest oil and nat gas reserves 
• Connectivity
• Advance India's connect central asia policy through trade,culture and people contact 
• pending energy projects like the TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) pipeline, IPI (Iran-Pakistan-India) pipeline, and CASA (Central Asia-South Asia)-1000 electricity transmission projects which are blocked due to Pakistan may get a much needed push through the SCO.  
• Geographical
• Connectivity will improve via land and air routes 
• Participant in the political dynamics of Afghanistan
• SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group which was suspended in 2009 has also resumed working since 2017. Thus SCO would provide a platform to India for engaging in the Afghanistan’s political dynamics

Challenges for India in the SCO

• Dominance of China: Barring India, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been endorsed by all the members. China may try to limit and balance India’s influence in the region by supporting Pakistan.
• Controlling Pakistan Sponsored terrorism: China has always condoned Pakistan’s link with terrorist activities in India. SCO may not prove very effective in controlling Pakistan sponsored terrorism.
• Lack of connectivity with Central Asia and beyond: remains the strategic denial of direct land connectivity between India and Afghanistan and beyond by Pakistan. India’s bilateral trade with Central Asia stands at about $2 billion against over $50 billion of China’s.
• Trust deficit among nations esp india pak and india china 
• Global geopolitics with American pressure on india iran relation 
• Limited economic potential as region crisis struck 

Way ahead for India

• Maintain an independent voice against China’s dominance: On BRI India has articulated its view that connectivity projects must respect the sovereignty, and territorial integrity. 
• India-Russia diplomatic relations and India’s cultural and historical connect with the CAR could be leveraged for promoting India’s interests in the SCO.
• Revitalise connectivity projects: opening of Chabahar port and entry into Ashgabat agreement should be utilized for a stronger presence in Eurasia
• focus on operationalising International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is needed.
• enlarging economic clout in the central Asia
• Constructively engage Pakistan: Russia, at the request of the Indian, has decided not to enter into an arms relationship with Pakistan.
• Play a constructive role:  in de-radicalisation of youths in Central Asia. It should also leverage its soft power to enhance its spheres of engagements in the field of culture, cuisine, education etc. This will ensure India does not get isolated in the organization.