Terror ecosystem must be dismantled, Rajnath tells SCO

Why in the News

For the first time, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) will hold a Civilisational Dialogue Forum, to be hosted by India, and India has backed a new action plan for multilateral trade and economic cooperation for 2026-2030. The Defence Minister announced both at the 25th meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. He also asked members to “dismantle the entire ecosystem of terrorism”.

What did India ask the SCO to do about terrorism?

1. Ecosystem of terrorism: The call targets the whole network that keeps terror alive, not just attackers. It is like shutting a gang’s funding and hideouts, not only arresting its gunmen.
2. Three principles: India said there can be no justification for terrorism, no double standard in addressing it, and no place for those who finance, support, or provide safe havens to terrorists.
3. Cost of terrorism: Terrorism kills innocent people and disrupts investment and commerce. It also radicalises societies, so young people lose the opportunities they deserve.
4. Pakistan at the table: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister sat at the same table as the Defence Minister set out these principles.
5. The takeaway: India is using the SCO to say that a group seeking trade and stability cannot tolerate those who shelter terrorists.

What economic agenda did India back?

1. Uncertain global economy: The Defence Minister described a world under strain from four sources:
   • geopolitical tensions between countries;
   • trade and supply chain disruptions;
   • worries over energy and food security;
   • new technological divides, meaning gaps between countries that have new technology and those that do not.
2. From consensus to action: He asked the SCO to build consensus among members and turn it into concrete action on these problems.
3. Three economic asks: India called for resilient supply chains, easier trade and investment, and the use of technology to manage global uncertainty.
4. India’s offer to members: He highlighted India’s digital public infrastructure, meaning shared digital systems the government builds for everyone to use, its start-up ecosystem and women-led development initiatives.

How does India want the SCO to build connectivity and ties?

1. Connectivity projects: The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and Chabahar Port in Iran can connect Central Asia with wider markets, the Defence Minister said.
2. Condition attached: Connectivity must rest on consultation and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries.
3. Link to the summit: He recalled the Prime Minister’s call at the SCO Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, for concrete steps on security, connectivity and opportunity.
4. Civilisational Dialogue Forum: India will host the forum later this year. It invited member states to take part.

Conclusion

India has paired a hard line on terrorism at the SCO with an offer on trade, technology and connectivity. What to watch is whether members turn consensus on the trade plan into concrete action, and how widely they join the dialogue forum India will host.

Back2Basics: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

1. Origin: Founded in 2001 in Shanghai, it grew out of the Shanghai Five grouping that settled border issues between China, Russia and three Central Asian states.
2. Mandate: The SCO works on security, political and economic cooperation in Eurasia.
3. Membership: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Iran and Belarus. India and Pakistan joined in 2017, and Iran in 2023.
4. Structure: The Secretariat is in Beijing and the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure is in Tashkent. The chairmanship rotates every year, and the chair hosts the next summit.

Matching Previous Year Question

“[2017] What is the importance of developing Chabahar Port by India? (a) India’s trade with African countries will enormously increase. (b) India’s relations with oil-producing Arab countries will be strengthened. (c) India will not depend on Pakistan for access to Afghanistan and Central Asia. (d) Pakistan will facilitate and protect the installation of a gas pipeline between Iraq and India. ANSWER: (c)”