AMN/ WEB DESK
Secretary-General of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Vladimir Norov hailed India’s contribution and constructive approach in SCO and praised India’s several initiatives as chair of the Council of Heads of Government held last year. Mr. Norov who is completing his tenure of three years as SCO Secretary General this month said India’s membership has enhanced the importance of SCO as an organization. As a country of 1.3 billion people with a history of thousands of years, India has a very important role in SCO, he added.
He was all praise for India’s leadership which took the responsibility of hosting the Council Heads of Government (HOG) in 2020 when COVID-19 pandemic was raging. 2022 will be an important year for India at SCO as, for the first time, it will assume the presidency of SCO, after Uzbekistan, for the period 2022-2023 which will culminate with the SCO Summit to be hosted by the Indian side in 2023. The SCO Summit is the meeting of the Council of Heads of States (HOS) and along with the Council of Heads of Government (HOG) makes two most important dialogue mechanisms among SCO member states.
As chair of Council of HOG, India held the first ever ‘Consortium of economic thinktanks’ from SCO countries, launched first ever SCO Start-up forum, established a working group in the field of traditional medicine and the Conclave of Young Scientists. Mr. Norov said India has huge potential in the field of science and technology. He specially noted the first ever SCO Digital exhibition held by India dedicated to the common Buddhist heritage in the region.
At his farewell meet in Beijing, he told Prasar Bharati, Special Correspondent that India has common historical and cultural ties with the SCO region especially Central Asia. He said India’s role is very essential in maintaining peace and stability in the Central Asian region which translates into a peaceful SCO region. He specially mentioned India’s role in countering terrorism in the region, most importantly due to evolving situation in Afghanistan. He said India has an important contribution in maintaining peace and stability in Afghanistan and in humanitarian support to the war-torn country post US withdrawal.
Highlighting India’s constructive role in SCO, Mr. Norov said that India has ratified all the documents and actively participates in the organizational activities including Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of SCO (RATS SCO). He said India participates in military exercises and peace missions to strengthen the security cooperation. India assumed chairmanship of Council of Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of SCO in October for one year. As chairman, India also organized a two-day seminar on cyberspace security for the member states. This Indian initiative was an effort to enhance the collaboration among RATS SCO member states to counter the misuse of the internet by terrorists, separatists, and extremists.
SCO, which includes India, Russia, and China in addition to Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan as members, accounts for about one-third of the world’s landmass and nearly one-quarter of global GDP. Iran’s bid to become a full member has been approved by member states and it may get admitted as ninth full time member in next two years after the technical and legal processes conclude. Mr. Norov said that Iran has given useful suggestions to the organization since it became an observer in 2005. He said Iran’s entry as a full member will give a boost in the cooperation on common regional interests viz.
connectivity through the North-South Corridor, economic integration and check on narcotics movement. During his tenure, SCO also celebrated its 20th anniversary of establishment in 2021. As Mr. Norov leaves Beijing this month, Mr. Zhang Ming, currently China’s Ambassador to the EU will take over as the next Secretary General of Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Mr. Ming is expected to assume the charge in January 2022.