ISSI hosts roundtable on SCO, Pakistan’s policy priorities, opportunities

China-Pakistan Study Centre (CPSC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies (ISSI) hosted a Roundtable, entitled “Shanghai Cooperation Organization: Pakistan’s Policy, Priorities and Opportunities.” Ambassador (R) Babar Amin, Pakistan’s first-ever National Coordinator for SCO, delivered a keynote address. Eminent discussants from academia and think tanks presented their perspectives, said a press release. The Roundtable provided valuable insights into Pakistan’s upcoming pivotal role in the SCO in the run-up to Council of Heads of Government (CHG) summit to be hosted by Pakistan as well as its vision for regional cooperation and economic integration. In his welcome remarks, DG ISSI former Ambassador Sohail Mahmood underscored the significance of SCO as a trans-regional platform. He highlighted the importance of SCO in the contemporary global milieu, opportunities for Pakistan as the country prepares to take a leading role in the Organization, and the challenges that should be kept in view regarding SCO’s objectives and role in future. He highlighted that since its establishment in 2001, SCO has grown to become a ‘big family’ of 26 countries, including member states, observers and dialogue partners. He added that, commutatively, SCO accounts for 60 per cent of Eurasian landmass 40 per cent of the global population and nearly 30 per cent of the global GDP. The Organization continues to carry the “Shanghai Spirit” of mutual trust, equality, respect for diversity and pursuit of common development, as opposed to any zero-sum perspectives or notions of geopolitical confrontation or civilizational clash. Sohail Mahmood further emphasized that Pakistan has considered SCO as an important platform from the outset and the country’s forthcoming responsibilities in various Councils as well as the apex decision-making body, the Council of Heads of State, entails important opportunities for advancing SCO’s objectives of regional peace and stability. It would be important for Pakistan to be both imaginative and proactive as it steers the various SCO meetings and Summit processes in 2024 and beyond. He concluded by highlighting the challenges that may confront the Organization in the form of the diversity of member states, effects of major-power competition, and changing nature of security threats in the region, and called for careful resolution of such challenges with close consultations among the member countries. Babar Amin, in his keynote address, outlined Pakistan’s strategic objectives within the Organization. He highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen bilateral relations with Russia through the SCO platform and emphasized the importance of connectivity and infrastructure development, particularly in addressing energy crises. He noted that Pakistan can act as a natural partner with SCO for promoting connectivity, trade and economic cooperation in the region. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) aligns naturally with the goals of SCO for regional connectivity and the promotion of trade. Pakistan can also assist SCO member countries in the area of security cooperation due to its extensive counter-terrorism experience and collaboration with the RATS (Regional Anti Terrorism Structure) mechanism of SCO. Ambassador Babar Amin added that by actively participating in SCO meetings and initiatives, Pakistan aims to strengthen its historical ties with Central Asia and further solidify its comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China, he added. He said that the key strategic priorities for Pakistan within the SCO include establishing itself as a credible partner, particularly in contrast to India’s selective engagement and perceived alignment with Western preferences. He said that Pakistan seeks to enhance non-traditional security cooperation through the RATS mechanism within the SCO, fostering collaboration on defence and security matters. Additionally, SCO platforms provide opportunities for constructive engagement with India, presenting avenues for future bilateral meetings and dialogue on the sidelines. Executive Director of the Centre of Excellence for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Dr Liaqat Ali Shah emphasized the multifaceted nature of SCO’s agenda, aligning with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). He stressed the potential for synergy between SCO and BRI, and in extension, with CPEC, is essential to promote regional integration. He also emphasized the need for inclusivity and multilateral participation in economic cooperation at the SCO forum. For this to better materialize from the Pakistani side, there needs to be better coordination in policy making and implementation. Addressing the challenges and opportunities of financial integration within the SCO, Senior Research Associate at the Grenoble Centre of Research on Economy, France, Dr Shazia Ghani emphasized the importance of understand