The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)

China hosted a summit with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. It welcomed Russia, India, and around 20 other countries. The aim is to promote a multipolar world order. For China, it is also a mean to boost its influence.

Let’s take a closer look at the SCO and its role in global geopolitics.

What is SCO?

The SCO is a security alliance. It was founded in 2001. It is one of the world’s largest regional organizations in terms of geographic scope and population. It gathers half of the world’s population and a quarter of global GDP. It focuses on:

• Politics,

• Economics,

• Security.

It comprises:

• The Head of State Council (HSC),

• The Council of Foreign Ministers,

• The Heads of Government Council (HGC),

• The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS).

Main goals

Security cooperation. The SCO focuses on what is called “the three evils”. These include:

• Terrorism,

• Separatism,

• Extremism.

The RATS steps in for intelligence sharing and joint exercises. The SCO also treats regional human, drug, and arms traffics. But the SCO is not a military alliance.

Economic collaboration. The aim is to develop infrastructures, energy deals and ease trades. There have been talks to reduce reliance on the USD and develop an SCO currency. There were also talks about a free trade area and joint energy projects. These could include the exploration of new hydrocarbon reserves and the joint use of water resources. But these projects are at stall. Despite efforts, the SCO still lacks deep integration mechanisms.

Political dialogue. Despite tensions, the goal is to maintain some kind of mutual trust and neighborliness. It is also to promote a multipolar world order. This is something most of the non-Western states seek for. China profit from the “America first” stance and extend its influence. Many countries fear they cannot rely on the U.S. anymore. They see the U.S. foreign policy as erratic. Others want to counter what they call Western dominance.

Culture. Culture ministers from member states worked on different events. These include:

• Academic exchanges,

• Cultural and art festivals,

• Youth programs.

Impact on geopolitics

The SCO plays a more important role in global and regional relations. It aims to reshape global governance.

The SCO is often seen as a strategic counterweight to NATO, EU, and U.S. influence in the region. Members like China and Russia promote a vision of a multipolar world. It offers an option for non-Western countries. They can align policies without Western influence and requirements on issues like liberal democracy or human rights.

For China, the SCO is a mean to secure its western borders and expand the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It also allows to promote regional security. This aims to prevent troubles from spilling into China.

For Russia, it is a tool to maintain influence in Central Asia. It also gives Russia a mean to push back against NATO and U.S. presence near its borders. Plus, it provides options for energy trades and military support. This is much needed at a time of sanctions and war in Ukraine.

The SCO also gives Iran a mean to break out of its isolation and sanctions. It allows to strengthen energy and trade corridors.

Despite tensions, the SCO is one of the few forums where India and Pakistan sit together.

The SCO’s diversity is a strength. But it also hampers decisive actions.

Challenges

The SCO faces a wide range of challenges limiting its efficacy.

Geopolitical competition. This lack of unity prevents strong common decisions. Relations warmed between India and China since Trump came back to office. But there are still both regional competitors. India and Pakistan remain hostile despite being both members of the SCO. They have borders disputes and conflicts over Kashmir and terrorism. Their tensions block consensus on regional security and economic cooperation.

Power imbalance. China dominates the SCO on an economic level. But it also does in terms of influence. India and Russia remain warry of China’s influence and power with the BRI. This creates competition among members.

Lack of binding agreements. Unlike the EU or NATO, the SCO has no binding enforcement mechanisms. It functions more as a forum for dialogue than a body for decisive action. It also does not have a collective defense clause. The SCO is not a military alliance. Plus, it would be hard to be one given tensions and competition among certain members.

Consensus-based model. All decisions within the SCO are made by consensus, not majority vote. This often results in deadlocks and slow decision-making.

Non-interference policy limits actions. The SCO has a strict policy on domestic affairs. This prevents actions against human rights abuses or internal conflicts. It also limits cooperation on cross-border issues if a member objects.

The SCO has potential. But these challenges hinder its ability to act as a unified bloc. To be more effective, it would need deeper integration, trust-building and shared vision.  

 Decoding geopolitics isn’t a job. It’s survival.

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