On the eve of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Astana, the Stan-Center information and analytical portal interviewed Indian publicist, political scientist, and deputy editor for strategic issues of the Tribune publication, Sandeep Dikshit. The expert provided insights on the expectations and challenges of the summit.
Expanding SCO's Scope
Sandeep Dikshit described the upcoming summit as both exciting and challenging. The excitement stems from the expansion of the SCO, which now includes a multilingual and diverse group of member countries beyond the original Russian and Chinese-speaking nations. This expansion reflects the organization's growing influence across various regions.
"The SCO leaders will likely discuss how to coordinate their actions with BRICS to avoid duplication and enhance effectiveness,"
said Dikshit. He also emphasized the importance of addressing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, stating,
"This needs to end with dignity for everyone."
Key Challenges at the Summit
Dikshit identified two main challenges for the summit. Firstly, the revival of terrorism in Eurasia underscores the importance of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure in Tashkent. He hopes the leaders will strengthen this structure to ensure effective information exchange and counter-terrorism efforts.
Secondly, Dikshit believes the summit will address the Ukraine conflict. While Ukraine is not a member of the SCO, the conflict's resolution is crucial. He suggests that a bilateral peace summit between Russia and Ukraine would be more effective.
Kazakhstan's Role as a Mediator
Discussing the potential for Kazakhstan to serve as a neutral platform for peace talks, Dikshit criticized Switzerland's role as an ineffective mediator. He noted that the recent peace summit in Switzerland failed due to the exclusion of Russia and the limited participation of UN member states.
"A neutral venue would be very helpful, but both sides of the conflict must be invited to avoid further tension," Dikshit emphasized.
Success Factors for the Summit
For the summit to be successful, Dikshit highlighted the importance of addressing territorial disputes among SCO members, including China-India, India-Pakistan, and Pakistan-Iran conflicts. Confidence-building measures and honest discussions could lead to greater efficiency within the organization.
Beyond Politics: Sports and Culture
Dikshit suggested that the SCO should also focus on sports and cultural exchanges. He proposed organizing SCO Sports Games to foster mutual benefits and learning opportunities among member states. Additionally, the adoption of English as one of the SCO languages could enhance cultural understanding and exchanges.
The summit should also discuss energy cooperation, given the unique position of SCO countries as both energy exporters and consumers. Regional pipelines and energy projects could alleviate supply issues faced by member states.
High technology and artificial intelligence (AI) are other critical areas for discussion. Dikshit urged the SCO to set standards for AI use, similar to the International Atomic Energy Agency's role in managing nuclear technology. He also highlighted the importance of cooperation in exploring and extracting essential minerals, given the SCO's rich mineral resources.
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