Forging Consensus, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the annual meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) leaders in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, marking 25 years of the Eurasian grouping.
• The summit addressed the economic impact of the U.S.-Israel war on Iran, which has affected the entire grouping.
• The Bishkek Declaration condemned U.S. and Israel's attacks on Iran and supported Iran's right to peaceful nuclear technology under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
• PM Modi's speech focused on dismantling the ecosystem of terrorist financing, recruitment, radicalization, and safe havens, urging the SCO to eschew "double standards" on terrorism.
• India aims to revive trade, critical minerals, and tourism ties with the Central Asian Republics, with PM Modi visiting Tashkent and Bishkek.

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Detailed Insights:

• The SCO summit provided a crucial platform for leaders to discuss geopolitical challenges, including the ongoing conflict involving Iran and its economic repercussions.
• Many SCO member states are also part of the BRICS grouping, with India scheduled to host the upcoming BRICS summit in Delhi on September 12-13.
• India's strong emphasis on combating terrorism at the summit was a pointed reference to its long-standing concerns regarding cross-border terrorism, often linked to Pakistan.
• The Bishkek Declaration's inclusion of robust language against "all forms" of terrorism, including cross-border, aligns with India's national security interests.
• Economic security, energy security, and connectivity, particularly concerning the Strait of Hormuz blockade, were identified as significant challenges due to global sanctions and conflicts.
• India seeks to broaden its engagement with regional multilateral organizations like the SCO to navigate the evolving geopolitical landscape and enhance its strategic influence.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO): A Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance comprising several Central Asian, South Asian, and East Asian countries.
• BRICS: An acronym for an intergovernmental organization comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and other member states.
• Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT): An international treaty whose objective is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology.
• Central Asian Republics: Refers to the five former Soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.