Peace for progress: on the SCO, regional cooperation, the fight against terror

Published 2026-10-23 · Updated 2026-10-23 · 3 min · 430 words

UPSC CSE Context

Why in News

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh raised cross-border terrorism at SCO meet in Tajikistan, days after Operation Sindoor.

Syllabus Connection

International relations, security issues, regional cooperation, terrorism.

Exam Relevance

Relevant for questions on India's multilateral diplomacy, counter-terrorism strategy, and regional connectivity.

Core Issue

India uses SCO to push counter-terrorism amid regional cooperation.

Key Development

India refused to endorse 2025 SCO Defence Ministers' joint statement over terrorism concerns.

Stakeholders

• Pakistan
• SCO member-states
• China
• Central Asian republics

Static Knowledge

High-Value Background

• SCO's Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) is based in Tashkent for security coordination.

Concepts in Context

• Cross-border terrorism refers to state-sponsored militant activities across international borders.

Institutions and Mechanisms

• SCO Council of Heads of Government focuses on economic and trade cooperation.
• SCO Defence Ministers' meet addresses regional security challenges.

Dynamic Analysis

International Relations

• Refusal to endorse joint statement signals India's firm stance against selective counter-terrorism.

Security

• Terrorism undermines economic corridors, requiring integrated security and development approaches.
• India demands action against terror financing, safe havens, and recruitment networks.
• SCO's RATS mechanism remains underutilized due to political mistrust among members.

Economy

• Regional trade and connectivity cannot thrive without predictable security environment.
• Investor confidence depends on rule of law and violence-free transport networks.
• SCO's economic agenda is hindered by unresolved security disputes among members.

Governance

• India's stance emphasizes institutional integrity of SCO over diplomatic expediency.
• Selective approach to terrorism erodes multilateral norms and collective security frameworks.
• Need for practical cooperation: intelligence-sharing, terror financing disruption, and denying safe havens.
• India should lead regional counter-terrorism efforts while maintaining principled position.

Prelims Takeaways

• International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) connects India to Central Asia via Iran.

Mains Value Addition

Arguments

• Economic integration in Eurasia requires addressing security threats at their source.
• SCO's effectiveness depends on translating commitments into actionable cooperation against terror networks.
• India's leadership in SCO can shape regional norms against cross-border terrorism.

Examples

• India's objection to 2025 Qingdao Defence Ministers' draft over Pahalgam attack reference.
• Chabahar Port as a connectivity project enhancing Central Asian trade access.

Data Points

• Operation Sindoor (2025) preceded India's strong stance at SCO.
• Pahalgam attack (2025) was a key trigger for India's objections.

Counterpoints

• India's principled stand could isolate it within SCO, reducing its influence on other agendas.
• Overemphasis on terrorism may stall economic cooperation beneficial to India's connectivity goals.

Way Forward

• Strengthen SCO's RATS with enhanced intelligence-sharing and joint operations against terror networks.
• Push for a common definition of terrorism and zero-tolerance policy within SCO framework.
• Link connectivity projects to security guarantees, ensuring sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• Engage bilaterally with Central Asian states to build consensus on counter-terrorism.

Primary/reference source: thehindu.com