The Times Call for India to Enter the SCO

Interview

The withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan scheduled for 2014 will be the SCO's main challenge in the short term. It can be addressed by expanding the organization. IMEMO Board of Directors member, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia and RIAC member Vyacheslav Trubnikov shares his insights on the prospects of India joining the SCO.

Interview

The withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan scheduled for 2014 will be the SCO's main challenge in the short term. It can be addressed by expanding the organization. IMEMO Board of Directors member, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia and RIAC member Vyacheslav Trubnikov shares his insights on the prospects of India joining the SCO.

At the meeting between the foreign ministers of Russia and India in October 2014, a proposal was made to support India's bid for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. What are the prospects for India's membership in the SCO? What are India's main interests in this organization?

As you know, the SCO was first established as the Shanghai Five with the aim of creating confidence-building measures within the region up to the borders of China's northern neighbors, as well as China itself. In this sense, the organization has achieved its goals one hundred percent. In terms of its current composition, it includes India, Pakistan, Mongolia, Iran and Afghanistan as the observer states, and such dialogue partners as Sri Lanka, Belarus and Turkey. Some other countries have applied for participation as observers as well. India's weight in the region, its political position in contemporary international relations and its adherence to the principles of the UN Charter and international law allow one to say that it has every right to be a full member of an organization such as the SCO. Nevertheless, SCO expansion does not mean an immediate strengthening of the organization, as India is unlikely to be the only country granted full membership. Pakistan will also seek such a position and Iran has no fewer rights. In addition, other countries are also interested in SCO full membership, as many problems discussed in the organization from year to year directly affect their interests. Perhaps organizational issues should be thoroughly worked through before expanding. But the times call for SCO expansion, and this is especially true in light of next year’s withdrawal of coalition forces from Afghanistan.

Photo: Vyacheslav Trubnikov

What role will the SCO play in enhancing security in the region after the withdrawal of the international coalition troops from Afghanistan? What contribution can India make to maintaining security after 2014?

Afghanistan's neighbors will be largely responsible for security in the region, and they are members or observers of the SCO. Indeed, Afghanistan is an observer too. And, of course, the role and importance of India as a full member and potential guarantor of security in the region is beyond doubt. The task of providing security, not just in Central Asia, I would say, but in the Eurasian region requires the full membership of India in the organization.

How are Russia and India cooperating in maintaining regional security at this stage?

As to cooperation between Russia and India in the field of security in the region, our interaction is deep-rooted. Even before the coalition forces entered Afghanistan, the Northern Alliance enjoyed joint support from India and Russia. This is an important factor. The experience of such interaction exists. The SCO today has the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), which is very important for India, a country which suffers from terrorism. Then there is the factor of Pakistan, as the SCO should do much within its framework, possibly with the active participation of Russia, to find the right balance and promote confidence-building measures among its members. And the latter include Pakistan and India, as well as China, since there are unresolved border issues that pose a lot of questions. I believe that with India’s full membership the SCO will acquire a very active and interested supporter of confidence-building measures in the region. The Asia-Pacific region is increasingly called the Indo-Pacific, thereby expanding the scope of activities of the countries of the region, especially in the areas of economic and political cooperation, as well as political and military security. Therefore India, in my opinion, stands quite a good chance of becoming a full and active member of this organization in the near future.

Will the SCO be able to maintain security in the region after the withdrawal of coalition forces from Afghanistan, given that the interests of the member countries do not always coincide?

Certainly, the presence of distinct and even conflicting interests and territorial disputes does not enhance the efficiency of the SCO. But this organization was created to find ways and means to maintain internal balance and improve the relationships between parties. The role of Russia, in this sense, can be very significant.

Interviewer: Natalia Evtikhevich, RIAC Program Manager.