India to host SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting
Recently, the meeting of Defense Ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was held in New Delhi. During the SCO meeting, the member states discussed several areas of cooperation.
- These include ending terrorism in all its forms, protecting vulnerable groups, ensuring food security, etc.
- India presented an explanation of the concept of ‘SECURE’. The concept was presented in 2018 at the SCO summit held in Qingdao, China.
- The concept reflects India’s commitment to the multidimensional welfare of the region.
SECURE
- S- Security of citizens;
- E- Economic development for all;
- C- Connecting the region;
- U- Uniting the people;
- R – Respect for Sovereignty and Integrity;
- E- Environmental protection.
India’s Defense Minister also discussed the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) in a bilateral meeting with his Iranian counterpart.
INSTC is a 7,200 km long multi-mode transport project. Its objective is to promote movement of goods between India and Russia via Central Asia and Iran.
Apart from India and Iran, it will pass through Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia and Europe.
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)
- Establishment: It was established in 2001 in Shanghai. It was established as an inter-governmental organization. China, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are its founding members. Its secretariat is in Beijing, China.
- Objective: To promote mutual trust and good neighborly relations among the member states; To promote effective cooperation in politics, trade and economy, science and technology, culture, etc.
- Members: It has 9 permanent members – China, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan and Iran.
- There are 3 observer members – Afghanistan, Mongolia and Belarus; and there are 7 dialogue partner countries – Armenia, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Nepal and Turkey.
- Other important information: The Council of Heads of State is the highest decision-making body. It has also established a Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS).
Source – The Hindu
