The Hindu : India lobbying for entry into Shanghai group

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Aug 10, 2002

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India lobbying for entry into Shanghai group

By Amit Baruah

NEW DELHI Aug. 9. India has decided to push for membership of the six-nation Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) irrespective of whether or not Pakistan is granted entry into the China-led SCO.

According to sources, India has been lobbying for entry into the SCO for sometime now and has received support from Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgystan and Tajikistan.

During the recent visit of the Kyrgyz President, Askar Akaev, to New Delhi "both sides'' noted the SCO's contribution as a regional organisation. ``The Kyrgyz delegation, considering the assertive role that India plays in international and regional relations expressed the view that the participation of India in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation would contribute to the growth of this organisation's potential,'' a joint press statement said after Mr. Akaev's visit.

According to sources, while India's case for entry into the SCO has received wide support, Beijing is so far silent on the issue. Given the fact that it is China, which took the lead in the creation of the organisation and all matters relating to it are to be decided by consensus, Beijing's position on India's case could well prove to be the clincher. As is known, Pakistan too is keen on SCO membership.

Given China's close ties with Pakistan, it is highly unlikely that India would gain entry before Pakistan — at best the two may be admitted together.

India, it would appear, has noted the anti-terrorist orientation of the SCO, which is an extension of what was known as the "Shanghai Five'' initiative.

At its last summit meeting held in June this year in St. Petersburg, Russia, the SCO denounced terrorist acts.

"The struggle against terrorism has to be conducted on the basis of norms and principles of international law, it must not be identified with the struggle against any religion, countries or nation States, it must be free from bias and double standards,'' the June declaration had said.

For its part, India has realised that it is in its interest to be a part of the SCO, an organisation, which has still to realise its potential.

Islamist terrorism is a major concern for all its members. China, for instance, faces separatist forces in Xinjiang province — an issue, which it categorises as terrorism.

India, for its part, has its own concerns about Islamist terrorism; whether it is in Jammu & Kashmir or in the Central Asian region.

Interestingly, the Chinese are confronted with a new situation in Central Asia — that of the long-term presence of American troops in the region in the post-September 11 scenario.

The Chinese were keen that the United States should accept that action against the Xinjiang separatists should be seen as part and parcel of the broader war against terrorism.

That, however, has not happened.

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