The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation or SCO or Shanghai Pact has admitted Pakistan to its fold as a full member at the SCO Summit Conference in Ufa. Pakistan’s entry into the organization is being seen as the success of diplomacy as this forum will provide the country a strategic, economic and diplomatic space in the region and as well as in the world.
Pakistan has been participating in the SCO activities as an observer since 2005 and had applied for its membership in 2006. India, which has also become a full member of the organization, had applied for the membership in 2011. The six founding members of the organization, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, were delaying a decision to accept Pakistan and India as full members. The reason of the delay was that the SCO states feared the two countries have differences of opinion on the regional and international issues and their disputes will affect the working and environment of the organization.
The main aim of the organization is to focus on security and economy.The member countries will take steps to enhance cooperation in energy, transportation, telecommunications and industrial sectors, which will usher in a new era of economic partnership and international relations. It is in line with the Chinese axiom that friendship with everyone and enmity with none.
Another hallmark of the organization is that it is not a defence or military alliance like NATO but a forum to fight two enemies of the economy – terrorism and extremism. This is may be the first time both Pakistan and India have joined a group by setting aside their differences and it is also hopped that the thaw in their relations could initiate a new era of cooperation between the two rivals. The organization will give new leverage to the country to improve diplomatic efficiency without compromising on the national interests. The organization requires its members to fulfill their commitments with the United States and the western economies.
On the economic front, the forum will facilitate the country to improve its trade and industry as the region is being linked through rail and road network. Pakistan can be a gateway for the central Asian states after the development of Gwadar port and construction of the Pak-China Economic Corridor. It is also hoped that early completion of Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline and the Central Asia-South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Project, commonly known as CASA-1000 will infuse a new lease of life in the energy sector of Pakistan. It is also hoped that a common forum will provide opportunities both Pakistan and India to not only resolve their outstanding issues, but also enhance trade and cooperation in various fields of the economy.
Building a Southwest Pacific regional organization
Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's...
