Iran, Belarus to be newest SCO Members

Context

Iran and Belarus are likely to be the two newest additions to the China and Russia-backed Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) grouping.

What is Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)?

• After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the then security and economic architecture in the Eurasian region dissolved and new structures had to come up.
• The original Shanghai Five were China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan.
• The SCO was formed in 2001, with Uzbekistan included. 
• It expanded in 2017 to include India and Pakistan.
• Since its formation, the SCO has focused on regional non-traditional security, with counter-terrorism as a priority.
• The fight against the “three evils” of terrorism, separatism and extremism has become its mantra. 
• Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) aims to maintain peace, security and stability in the region.
• Today, areas of cooperation include themes such as economics and culture.
  
  

 Reason behind the expansion of SCO

• China and Russia are looking to frame the grouping as a counter to the West — particularly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
• China wishes to draw a sharp contrast between the SCO and NATO.

 Upcoming summits of SCO

• The 2022 annual summit of the SCO will be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
• The 2023 SCO summit will be hosted by India.
• Varanasi has been selected as the SCO region’s first “Tourism and Cultural Capital”.
• India will also be chairing the summit.