People's Democracy

EDITORIAL

SCO: Potential Bulwark To US Imperialism

IN 1996, leaders of five countries (China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan and Tajikistan) met in Shanghai. The ostensible agenda then was to resolve the border disputes between these countries as well as to work out some degree of cooperation. At that time itself, the CPI(M) central committee had noted that this initiative has the potential to become a significant instrument of a powerful regional cooperation that can thwart the south-eastward expansion of NATO under the leadership of US imperialism. 

By 2001, this initiative expanded to include Uzbekistan and was re-christened as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). In 2004 and 2005, India, Pakistan, Mongolia and Iran were admitted as observers. On June 15, this year, the SCO observed its fifth anniversary with the presidents of its member organisations and the presidents of Mongolia, Pakistan and Iran attending. Significantly, Afghanistan which is also seeking an observer status was present with its president in attendance. India was represented by petroleum minister Murli Deora. 

The success of this summit was reflected in the series of agreements that were signed. These declared the aim to realise the free flow of commodities, capital, technology and services among these countries within the next two decades. The SCO countries have already agreed upon 125 joint projects related to trade and industries. China has announced nearly $1 billion worth of loans to SCO countries. 

Excluding the observers, the SCO in itself is a powerful regional alliance that includes two of the world’s five declared nuclear powers and a large part of the world’s oil and gas reserves. If observers were to be included, the clout of the SCO enhances substantially with the presence of nuclear weapon countries - India and Pakistan and oil-rich Iran. Iran and Pakistan have sought full membership, while Belarus has sought observer status in the SCO. 

The June 15 successful summit is being seen by US imperialism as a threat to its quest for expanding its hegemony in this region. At a regional security conference in Singapore recently, US defence secretary criticised the SCO for entertaining Iran’s case for membership. At the 2005 summit, the SCO had called for the withdrawal of all American bases in Central Asia. Uzbekistan, subsequently, evicted the US air base established during the US war on Afghanistan. Kyrgystan has demanded a 100-fold increase in the rent for allowing a US base when the lease expired this May 31st. The US has not been able to find a way to hold on to its base in Kyrgystan till date.

In order to negate such developments against its strategic interests, the USA sought an observer status in the SCO. This has been denied by the SCO. Though the aim of economic cooperation, stability and security in the region is the main agenda of the SCO and while declaring that it is not a new military alliance, the SCO has nevertheless conducted joint military exercises. These take place in the background of growing Sino-Russian cooperation which also saw joint Sino-Russian military exercise consisting of land, sea and air manoeuvres. 

The success of the SCO so far has been based, naturally, on the growing strategic relationship between China and Russia. In October 2004, a final and comprehensive settlement of the border dispute was arrived at. Bilateral trade has seen a quantum leap touching $30 billion last year. Hu Jintao recently stated that the relations with Russia has reached unprecedented levels with a strong strategic ingredient. Russian president Vladimir Putin’s visit to China in March this year further cemented these developments. 

By all accounts, the SCO is slated to play an important role in future international developments as the potential bulwark to US imperialism’s hegemonic drive. Given the tremendous control over natural resources of oil and natural gas in this region, India would largely benefit from an active association with the SCO. It would be disastrous for India, given the present UPA government’s proclivity to toe the line of US interests in foreign policy, if India misses this opportunity. The present government must remember that US imperialism’s steadfast ally in the region – Pakistan – is seeking permanent membership and was represented at the summit by General Musharraf. Even US dependent Afghanistan, seeking membership, was present with its president Hamid Karzai. USA itself is seeking an observer status. Clearly, these are taking place in response to the US recognition of the significance and the potential strength of the SCO. By seeking its own presence and that of its allies, USA may be hoping to neutralise the effectiveness and influence of the SCO in foiling its designs of global hegemony. Under these circumstances, India must act in its own interest and firmly associate with the SCO and not be a lukewarm observer under US imperialism’s pressures.