[CA] Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) – 2018

·       18th SCO summit was held at Qingdao, China

·       SCO resolved to fight terror, separatism and extremism with a renewed vigour in the next three years and called for a global front under the United Nations

·       Qingdao declaration: “The member states strongly condemn all forms of terrorism and consider it necessary to make efforts to promote the creation of a  unified global counter – terrorism front with the central coordinating role of the UN on the basis of international law, without politicization or double standards” [however the declaration did not mention any terror group]

·       The leaders also talked about the special role of the SCO Regional Anti – Terrorist Structure in the fight against “the three evils” – terrorism, extremism and separatism – to ensure regional security

·       Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi coined an acronym “SECURE” which he explained: “S” for Security for citizens, “E” for Economic development. “C” for Connectivity in the region, “U” for Unity, “R” for Respect of Sovereignty and integrity and “E” for Environment protection

·       India and Pakistan were accorded full member status of SCO in 2017

·       This (2018) is the first Summit for India and Pakistan as full member

·       Countries in SCO: China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan; SCO was founded in 2001

·       SCO represents 42% of world’s population and 20% of the global GDP