Let’s begin by discussing the IAS exam; we all know it is one of the popular exams that are present in India. Without a doubt, it is one toughest Exam as well. Many dreams of becoming an IAS officer. However, only a few have the potential to clear the Exam. This particular Exam requires hard work, effort, and time investments. Not everyone can do it as no one cannot give a guarantee of results. Still, we see many leaving their jobs to prepare for the Exam. By this, we can say it is one of the most respectful jobs in India. Further, as a part of the IAS exam main understanding of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is essential. Know about SCO members, summit, countries, and headquarters details from the below article. Try to know the vital points and make a note of the same.
Introduction
To begin with, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is a Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance. Further, it is also known as Shanghai Pact. It is the world’s largest regional organization. It was formed in 2001, and SCO Charter was signed in 2002 and entered into force in 2003. Further, below let us understand all details like SCO members, countries, and summit details.
Probably one might be thinking why it is essential for the UPSC? First, this concept is necessary for the IAS mains exam for GS2. Further, the topic is Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and affecting India’s interests.
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is an international intergovernmental organization. Further, it was formed in June 2001 in Shanghai by the Republic of Kazakhstan, the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and the Republic of Tajikistan, The Russian Federation.
- SCO Headquarters – Beijing, China
- Creation of SCO – It was announced on 15th June 2001; while it came on force on 19th September 2003
- SCO Official Language – Chinese and Russian
- India Joined SCO on – 8-9 June 2017 (SCO Astana Summit)
Objectives
- SCO mainly aims to strengthen mutual trust and neighborliness among the member states. Further, to promote politics, trade & economy, research & technology, and culture.
- Also, enhancement in the field of education, energy, transport, tourism, environmental protection, etc.
- Further, to maintain and ensure peace, security and stability in the region.
- Later, it looks into its internal policy based on the principles of mutual benefit, mutual trust, mutual consultations, equality, respect for cultural diversity.
- Lastly, it supports democratic, rational, and fair new international economic and political order.
Structure of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
Further, in the structure of SCO, all the supreme decisions are in the hands of the Heads of State Council (HSC). Therefore, all the HSC members meet once a year and look into guidelines and decisions on all essential matters of the SCO. Besides, SCO Heads of Government Council meets once a year, and they discuss the organization’s multilateral cooperation strategy and priority areas. Also, find solutions to current essential economic and other cooperation issues.
Then, it contains two permanent organizational bodies, and the first one is the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure-based in Tashkent. Further, the second one is SCO Secretariat based in Beijing. The SCO Secretary-General and the Director of the Executive Committee of the SCO RATS are decided by the Council of Heads of State for three years.
SCO Members
- China
- India
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Russia
- Pakistan
- Tajikistan
- Uzbekistan
- Iran
Observer states
- Afghanistan
- Belarus
- Iran
- Mongolia
Dialogue Partner
- Azerbaijan
- Armenia
- Cambodia
- Nepal
- Turkey
- Sri Lanka
One can go through the website for more information.
SCO and India
India’s memberships of SCO can help achieve goals in regional integration, promoting connectivity and stability across borders. Further, with the help of RATS, India can improve by preventing terrorism by working towards intelligence, law enforcement, and following best practices and technologies. Besides, with the use of SCO, India can also work on anti-drug trafficking and small arms proliferation. Further, SCO is a part of India’s stated policy of pursuing “multi-alignments.” Along with this, India’s membership will offer an opportunity for the leadership of India, which includes prime ministers, to meet with their peers from Central Asia, China, Russia, Afghanistan.
In 2019, PM came up with a clever acronym called HEALTH. It means it will bring together the Indian experience in development. Further, A in HEALTH refers to alternative energy and speaks on in terms of focusing on renewable energy.
Challenges of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
However, there were some challenges faced by India. Like Pakistan, inclusion in SCO caused problems for India. Further, India’s ability to assert itself is limited, and it may play second fiddle as Russia and China are co-founders of SCO and its powers. Besides, India either dilutes its growing partnership with the West or engage in a delicate balancing act.
Summit
Further, India held the SCO summit in 2020 November. Due to the pandemic, it was the virtual format. India was the chairperson of the SCO Council of Heads of Government on 2nd Nov 2019. Further, India focused on the three main things: startups and innovation, science and technology, and Traditional Medicine. Further, it also focused on strengthening trade, economic and cultural cooperation.
Latest Developments of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
With respect to the recent developments, Iran joins SCO. Iran had applied to join the SCO as a full member in the year 2008. However, it has been an observer member for over 15 years. Further, the SCO Heads of Government Summit was held by India on 30th Nov 2020. It was the first time India held the SCO Summit.
Important Tips
As mentioned above, to get the best rank in the IAS exam, one needs to follow up on some good tips. Further, in the UPSC exam, you must face three rounds. After clearing one round, you are allowed for the next one. Concerning the Exam, one must understand the exam syllabus and the pattern of the paper. For this, you can refer to the previous papers. Know which are the best books for the Exam and try to study from the same.
For this Exam, one must work hard and make use of time to get the best scores in the Exam. Giving mock tests also helps you in a great way. You will come to know about your skills. One must also have an answer writing practice, and you will learn about your writing speed and how to cover all essential points in fewer words. Further, check out which are the best books for the various subjects of the IAS exam. IAS exam book details. It is not possible to study from all books, but know which is the best according to the topics and study from them.
Conclusion – Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
The article aims to provide you with all information related to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) headquarters, and other vital details. You will get all details like SCO members, countries, headquarters, and summit details. As a point of the IAS exam, you will get all information. Besides, as a part of the IAS exam study materials, it is also one of the essential topics to cover.
Therefore, while reading the article, try to note down all important points and study the same for the same. As we have mentioned already, this concept is essential for the UPSC main exam, and the main Exam is descriptive type. Also, check all the other UPSC exam study materials here. It will help you with the exam preparations. Know More. As we all know of the IAS exam syllabus, one needs to cover all the topics to score well in the Exam.
Later, one can find all information related to the IAS exam, right from filling the application form to the exam results. IAS Exam details. It will help you with the IAS exam journey.
FAQs – SCO Countries
Lastly, we have added a few FAQs below on the discussed topic.
It mainly helps regional cooperation in various fields such as politics, trade, and economy, defense, etc.
President of Tajikistan
In the year 2017, India became a member of the SCO.
Editor’s Note | Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
In brief, the above article will help you with your IAS main exam by providing you with all information related to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, SCO countries, and headquarters. Further, you will all details related to India’s SCO countries, headquarters, structure, and role. To get the best scores in the main Exam, one must use all important concepts like these. Further, one can refer to the last year’s papers to know about the pattern and other details. Besides, we have provided you with essential links that will also help you with the exam preparations. It can be any exam a proper plan and time management will help you in an effective way to get the best results in the Exam. therefore, we suggest one follow up some effective tips with your exam preparations. All the best.