Virtual Summit, Virtual Silence

• India and China are both members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a regional security bloc that was founded in 2001. The SCO has eight members: China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
• The relationship between India and China in the SCO is complex and evolving. On the one hand, the two countries share a common interest in promoting security and stability in the region. They have also cooperated on a number of issues, such as counter-terrorism and drug trafficking.
• On the other hand, India and China also have a number of competing interests. These include territorial disputes, economic competition, and differing strategic visions for the region. These competing interests have led to tensions between the two countries, which have sometimes spilled over into the SCO.

• India refused to join China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a major infrastructure project that is seen as a way for China to expand its influence in the region. India's decision to not join the BRI was seen as a snub to China, and it led to some tensions between the two countries in the SCO.
• Despite these tensions, India and China have continued to cooperate in the SCO. In 2023, the two countries hosted a joint military exercise in Russia. This exercise was seen as a sign of the improving security cooperation between India and China.
• The future of India-China relations in the SCO is uncertain. The two countries have a number of competing interests, but they also share a common interest in promoting security and stability in the region. How these competing interests will be managed in the SCO will have a significant impact on the future of the organization.

4. A Silence on Ukraine war

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has not issued an official statement specifically addressing the war in Ukraine. It's important to note that the situation in Ukraine is a complex and sensitive issue, and the SCO member states may have different perspectives and interests

The SCO primarily focuses on regional security, economic cooperation, and promoting stability among its member states.

5. Why Virtual Summit

The virtual summit is a sign that India's engagement with the SCO is drifting. This is a worrying development, as the SCO is an important forum for India to advance its interests in the region. If India wants to remain a major player in the SCO, it needs to redouble its efforts to engage with the organization.

In addition, the virtual summit was a missed opportunity for India to engage with other SCO members on a range of issues, including security, trade, and counterterrorism. By hosting a virtual summit, India effectively ceded the initiative to China, which was able to set the agenda for the meeting.

6. Conclusion

China and Russia, as two prominent members of the SCO, have been involved in the Ukraine crisis, albeit with differing levels of engagement and positions. Both countries have used their veto power in the United Nations Security Council on matters related to Ukraine. China has generally emphasized the importance of dialogue and a peaceful resolution, while Russia has been more directly involved in the conflict.