THOUGH India’s invitation to Pakistan to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation events in Goa later this year has not been extended in the bilateral context, the meeting of the multilateral bloc does present an opportunity for both sides to engage on the side lines. Invitations were sent to FM Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and CJP Umar Ata Bandial to attend the foreign ministers’ and chief justices’ meetings, respectively, in May. Asked whether Pakistan will attend the moot or not, the Foreign Office spokesperson said on Thursday that “a decision … will be taken after deliberation”. Bilateral relations are in deep freeze, and as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar told the Senate, no backchannel diplomacy is currently underway. The meeting in Goa — should the foreign minister choose to attend — could change that and help restart dialogue, even if it is simply talks about talks at this juncture.

However, overcoming the wide gulf of mutual mistrust will be a major challenge. Since 2019, bilateral ties have been decidedly testy, taking a nosedive after India’s controversial change of held Kashmir’s constitutional status. It was also earlier in that year that both sides traded fire after the Pulwama episode and, if former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo’s account is accurate, came close to a nuclear exchange. More recently, there has been a toxic exchange of invective, with Mr Bhutto-Zardari calling the Indian PM the ‘butcher of Gujarat’ in response to his Indian counterpart’s harsh criticism of Pakistan. As mentioned, this is not a bilateral event, but a multilateral meeting of the Eurasian bloc, so no bilateral breakthroughs should be expected. Moreover, both sides will be careful not to take any bold decisions; in Pakistan a new government will likely be in the saddle later this year, while India goes to the polls in 2024. Hence, major announcements regarding the peace process are unlikely. But at least a roadmap for the revival of talks could be put in place if senior diplomats meet on the side lines. The last time a Pakistani foreign minister was on Indian soil was over a decade ago. Pakistan, then, should consider sending a high-level delegation while India should respond positively to any such gesture. The opportunity must not be squandered by Pakistan and India, and the SCO meet can be used to kick-start the moribund peace process.

Published in Dawn, January 27th, 2023

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], February 7 (ANI): The 6th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) meeting concluded its deliberations in Lucknow on Tuesday. The members unanimously decided to hold the next meeting of SCO Member SAIs in Tajikistan in 2025.

The three-day SCO SAI conference kicked off in Lucknow yesterday.

Girish Chandra Murmu, Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) India led the discussion on integrating emerging technologies in audit with focus on Artificial Intelligence and Cyber-security in the meeting with about 30 delegates from the SCO SAIs of India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and SCO Secretariat.

Murmu, in his remarks, appreciated the initiative of SCO Member SAIs in integrating new and emerging technologies in audit practices to enhance audit efficiency, effectiveness, and promoting transparency and accountability in public administration.

CAG also highlighted that SAI India was at the forefront in using innovative technology and AI to enhance audit processes for agile and risk-based examination of structured as well as unstructured data.

Further, CAG India while thanking the SCO SAIs for their cooperation in making the meeting happen and reaffirmed the importance of the exchange of best practices between the SCO SAIs.

He emphasized that the conference reiterated SAIs commitment to work for achieving better audit results and create significant scope to Boost the depth, accuracy, and timeliness of the audit products. (ANI)

India joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a regional multilateral organisation, as a permanent member in 2017. India’s primary goal in joining the SCO was to develop ties with the Central Asian nations. Four of the five Central Asian countries are founder- members of the SCO. Even though it is obvious that China dominates the SCO, India’s participation in this organisation serves as a counterbalance. A challenge to New Delhi comes from the China-Pakistan axis since Pakistan joined the SCO alongside India as a permanent member. As a result, India must use the SCO platform as a critical component of its Eurasian strategy.

In a rotational presidency, New Delhi will preside over the SCO from 2022 to 2023. Since India has flagged many important ideas pertaining to food security, connectivity and economic development in the SCO, its civilisational glory and historical ties to Central Asia must be the main focus of its SCO presidency. India must seize this opportunity to demonstrate its cultural and historical linkages to the SCO members, particularly the Central Asian republics. Buddhism is a great testimony to India and Central Asia’s historical and cultural connection. Apart from that, both regions were linked and traded commodities and ideas even before the Silk Road, which is merely a Chinese narrative. The Mahabharata period’s links with this region are widely chronicled in the Indian epics.

Varanasi, one of the world’s most ancient and continuously inhabited cities, is known as Banaras or Kashi. With India’s presidency of SCO, Varanasi has also obtained the rotating title of ‘Cultural and Tourism Capital’ for the SCO region. In addition to being a centre of learning, Varanasi is known as the cultural capital of India and is associated with spiritualism, mysticism, Sanskrit, and yoga. The English novelist and writer Mark Twain were fascinated by the charisma and sanctity of Benaras, and he reportedly said, “Varanasi is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and seems twice as ancient as all of them together.”

It is also known as the land of the Buddha since Gautam Buddha delivered his first sermon in Sarnath, about 10 kilometres from Varanasi. Varanasi, also a Jains’ pilgrimage site, is considered the birthplace of Parsvanath, the 23rd Tirthankar. Hindus and Buddhists have a significant role in the city, although other religions coexist harmoniously. There are also several prominent Islamic sites of worship in Varanasi. Varanasi, the SCO’s cultural and tourism capital, will have a great influence on the member-nations and offer an excellent opportunity to explore the shared cultural and historical heritage.

In the direction of cultural-humanitarian cooperation, India organised the first-ever SCO virtual 3D Digital Exhibition on Shared Buddhist Heritage in 2020. It showcased magnificent and rare treasures. The exhibition also revealed various Buddhist art forms that transcend national boundaries, rendering similar subjects that encourage comparisons among regional aesthetics while distinguishing aspects unique to each area. The Bronze Age linkage between India and Central Asia has been demonstrated clearly by archaeological discoveries in both places; so, an exhibition of the shared Bronze Age heritage (Indus Valley and Oxus Civilisation) as represented at various SCO museums might be organised along these lines.

Enhanced cooperation between the museums of the SCO member-States can open multiple avenues of cooperation in art, culture, and history. The First SCO Museum Forum was held in Tula, Russia in October 7, 2021. On April 26-27, 2022, members of an expert group held their second meeting via videoconference to discuss a draft memorandum between authorised agencies of SCO member-States on cooperation between museums. The SCO members should approach this as a priority for enhancing cultural cooperation. India can offer to establish a museum of SCO having the antiquities of the common cultural heritage of SCO member-countries.

Joint efforts should also be made to preserve and study the art and artefacts of mutual historical importance. Scholar exchanges between think tanks and other institutions should be encouraged, focusing on studying common history and culture. The provision of providing SCO scholarships can be advertised in the same way.

India, the land of ayurveda has been promoting its AYUSH systems of medicine globally. Since the past few years, the Indian government has signed MoU on cooperation in traditional medicine with many countries in South and South East Asia. Through this scheme, AYUSH Fellowships (The 104 scholarships offered yearly)/the setting up of AYUSH academic chairs in foreign universities / institutes, and the opening of an AYUSH information cell in the premises of the India Missions / ICCR Cultural Centre to disseminate authentic information about AYUSH is being undertaken.

The World Health Organization (WHO) opened its Global Centre for Traditional Medicines in Gujarat in April 2022. This was the first and only WHO global centre for conventional medicine. Following that, a SCO traditional medicine centre might be established. In Samarkand Summit of SCO, Prime Minister Modi presented the idea for establishing a new SCO Joint Working Group (JWG) on traditional medicine. This JWG can promote joint research on Traditional medicine (ayurveda, unani, homeopathy and naturopathy). Similarly, conferences and seminars can also be organized and AYUSH fellowships can also be extended to the SCO countries.

India’s SCO presidency must reflect on its civilisation’s splendour and seek to communicate with SCO members through common historical experiences. Even though China dominates the SCO, India must play an active role in this regional organisation.

The article has been authored by Pravesh Kumar Gupta, associate fellow (Central Asia) Vivekananda International Foundation, New Delhi.

Days after India confirmed that Pakistan has also been invited for the May SCO ministers meeting in Goa, the Shehbaz Sharif administration has yet to decide on the matter. Pakistan's foreign ministry issued a statement that invitations are being processed as per standard procedure and a decision will be taken in due course. India is holding the chairmanship of the year's SCO council meet.

© Provided by The Statesman India’s audits are increasingly focusing on cyber security: CAG

Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) Girish Chandra Murmu has appreciated the initiative of SCO Member SAIs in integrating new and emerging technologies in audit practices to enhance audit efficiency, effectiveness, and promoting transparency and accountability in public administration.

The CAG highlighted that SAI India was at the forefront in using innovative technology and AI to enhance audit processes for agile and risk-based examination of structured as well as unstructured data.

SAI India’s audits are increasingly focusing on cybersecurity with audit personnel inspecting information system controls, third-party management, governance, documentation, user access controls, and legal compliance to ensure effective oversight and compliance, he said.

The CAG during his speech on the closing session of the 6th SCO Heads of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) here on Tuesday thanked the SCO SAIs for their cooperation in making the meeting happen reaffirmed the importance of the exchange of best practices between the SCO SAIs.

He emphasised that the conference reiterated SAIs commitment to work for achieving better audit results and create significant scope to Boost the depth, accuracy, and timeliness of the audit products.

During the 2 day international  conference, discussions were held on Integrating emerging technologies in audit with focus on Artificial Intelligence and Cyber-security. Around 30 delegates from the SCO SAIs of India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and SCO Secretariat were present.

The SCO Member SAIs unanimously decided to hold the next meeting of SCO Member SAIs in Tajikistan in 2025.

According to the latest data released by the Islamic Republic of Iran's Customs Administration show, Iran’s trade with Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s member states, excluding crude oil exports from the country, stood at 42.91 million tons worth $33.84 billion during the first 10 months of the current Iranian year (March 21, 2022-Jan. 20, 2023), registering a 4.9% and a 23.07% year-on-year rise in terms of weight and value respectively.

China with 29.17 million tons (up 10.19%) worth $12.69 billion (down 39.5%) was Iran’s main trade partner among SCO member states during the period. It was followed by India with 5.91 million tons (down 9.07%) worth $2.4 billion (down 9.88%) and Russia with 3.11 million tons (down 20.23%) worth $1.19 billion (down 34.09%), Finacial Tribune reported.

Iranian exports hit 34.72 million tons worth $16.58 billion during the period, registering a 3.42% and a 10.05% growth in weight and value YOY, respectively. 

MNA/PR

India has extended an invitation to Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Pakistan’s foreign minister, to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit scheduled for May this year. If Pakistan accepts this invitation, it would be the first time in 12 years that a Pakistani delegation has entered India.

In the backdrop of this invitation, we’ve seen Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan’s prime minister, making comments on reinvigorating dialogue with India, and even a hard exchange between the foreign ministers of Pakistan and India at the United Nations General Assembly.

There seem to be two schools of thought regarding the invitation, with some analysts are in favor of accepting and others are against. While the key decision makers may already be busy coming up with a response to the invite, here are the possible pros and cons of Pakistan attending the SCO summit taking place in India.

The overarching logic dictates that Pakistan must attend the SCO summit, thus keeping bilateral issues away from multilateral ones. For Islamabad, going to this summit offers opportunities. While India will continue to portray Pakistan negatively, this invitation is an opportunity for Islamabad to at least control the optics and to test the waters for larger gains.

First, the summit should be viewed from a larger perspective, one that reflects the macro lens of Pakistan’s regional and global diplomacy. The SCO is a fantastic setting for Pakistan: the agenda is naturally dictated by China and Russia, and any unilateral attempts by India to paint Pakistan with the letter “T” (terrorism) may become pointless.

Enjoying this article? Click here to subscribe for full access. Just $5 a month.

Herein lies the difference between India’s G-20 presidency and the SCO presidency. India may be able to use the G-20 platform to push false narratives about Pakistan. However, even that could work to Pakistan’s benefit. Global priorities have long since shifted to other global issues like great power competition between the United States and China, the international financial crunch, the environment and sustainable development, and far-right politics. For now, these issues are outweighing the concern about terrorism in the global arena.

Second, this SCO offers a starting point for Pakistan to show its maturity as a cooperative state on the global and regional stage. Whether or not this visit culminates in a sideline bilateral meeting between Pakistan and India is hard to say, but the Pakistani government can only find out by attending the summit. Despite tense relations between China and India, they are interacting; thus there is no excuse for Pakistan to sit out this meeting. This is a starting point for breaking the ice between the two countries, of course keeping the sensitivities in check.

Moreover, such bold diplomatic moves are currently needed for Pakistan to maneuver in these uncertain times. Pakistan’s internal sociopolitical and economic turmoil has created a sense of despair, but despite the worrisome state of affairs, Pakistan has displayed some successful diplomacy on the front of climate justice and even its exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) gray list. Now Pakistan must pursue its agenda of regional connectivity through the SCO platform.

Pakistan’s National Security Policy (NSP) envisions peace internally and with its neighbors through economic relations and regional integration. Attending the SCO summit will fall in line with Pakistan’s NSP, and perhaps in the larger picture of events, become a step toward loosening the gridlock that plagues the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC), which has not held a summit since 2014 due to India-Pakistan tensions.

For Pakistan, the mere response to India’s invitation will bring certain implications; such is the fraught nature of their relationship. Regardless, Pakistan and India must not sabotage the SCO, lest it follow SAARC into a standstill. The SCO is led by two Eurasian heavyweights, Russia and China, both crucial to the foreign policy of Pakistan. Pakistani decision makers will have to put hawkishness to one side and plan a strong diplomatic case to present at the SCO, without the expectation of a thaw from the other side.

Yet there is also the chance that Pakistan’s attendance may not necessarily pay dividends in terms of its bilateral relationship with India. Whether India will respond to Pakistan’s gestures is hard to say, given the rigid stand the current Modi government has taken. The sporadic engagement of Pakistan with India does not imbue much confidence either. Some have argued that with Pakistan losing its socioeconomic and political vitality, it does not have much to offer externally.

Moreover, the bigger question looms for Pakistan’s long-term policy in dealing with India. Kashmir remains a bone of contention between the two sides. While the military establishment in Pakistan insists that India reverts control of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian government has long refused to agree to this. The deadlock is likely to persist indefinitely, given the mistrust between India and Pakistan. So even if Pakistan sends a delegation to the SCO meeting, without a long-term policy adjustment on one or both sides, this ad hoc diplomatic venture may not gain much beyond a momentary headline.

Additionally, attending the summit could cause backlash at home from political opponents, who may exploit the country’s geopolitical decisions for their own benefit. Pakistan’s current coalition government is facing off against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf under former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has previously been seen at SCO summits in proximity with the Russian and Chinese presidents. If Pakistan’s presence this year does not match the glitzy optics of previous summits, the coalition government could face much whataboutism at home.

Apart from that, the inward focus seems to be more on the election cycles in both Pakistan and India, leaving no room for creative thinking to resolve the bilateral gridlock. Perhaps the level of appetite to escalate or diffuse tensions will become clearer as the summit nears.

Pakistan is also suffering from a resurgent Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, and in accurate weeks high security alerts have been issued across the country. This is an unfortunate reality that the country faces, which has significantly lowered the world’s confidence in Pakistan’s security and business ecosystems. The state of fragility may not allow Pakistani officials to match actions with words at the SCO.

Enjoying this article? Click here to subscribe for full access. Just $5 a month.

Despite these concerns and scenarios, this situation offers us insight into what plans the current government has for the country. Whether or not Pakistan accepts this invitation will offer some indication as to the direction chosen by the new establishment. It is also imperative to understand that the country is run by a coalition government, meaning it speaks with different voices on multiple subjects. Perhaps in this case, Prime Minister Sharif and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz may want to take a backseat, and the Pakistan People’s Party – led by Foreign Minister Bhutto – would want to take the lead on bold diplomatic gestures, and possibly grab the attention of the establishment.

However, the military establishment may not necessarily be appreciative of this endeavor as the new chief of army staff, like his predecessor, has shown no will to put the Kashmir dispute on the back burner. This would also shed light on the civil-military relations in Pakistan’s foreign policy moving forward, which has traditionally come from a hawkish place when it comes to India.

Pakistan’s choice to attend or not to attend the SCO summit in India will therefore send signals to internal and external audiences on multiple levels.

Zhang Ming, secretary-general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), said Wednesday that the United States violated the spirit of international law and international practice when it shot down an unmanned Chinese airship.

Zhang made the remarks when answering a query concerning the unmanned civilian airship, which the U.S. Department of Defense shot down with missiles.

Zhang said the Chinese government has explained several times that it was a civilian unmanned airship used for meteorological and other research purposes. Affected by climate factors, the airship deviated far from its planned course, a situation caused by force majeure.

The U.S. Department of Defense said the airship would not pose a military or personal threat to ground personnel, yet the U.S. side insisted on using force to shoot down the airship -- a clear overreaction that violated the spirit of international law and international practice, Zhang said.

He said the SCO has always maintained that all countries should abide by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, refrain from the use of force and the threat of using force, and resolve international disputes through peaceful means such as negotiation and consultation.

The five-day Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) film festival is underway in India's financial capital Mumbai, officials said Saturday.

The festival hosted veterans from the film industry in multiple sessions on Saturday. Apart from film screenings, discussion sessions were held on various subjects ranging from music to animation and intellectual property rights, officials said.

The SCO film festival is being held during India's presidency of the international cooperation organization.

The festival opened on Friday evening during a ceremony that saw India's federal Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur and junior federal foreign minister Meenakshi Lekhi lighting the traditional lamp.

According to India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the SCO film festival will showcase 57 films from SCO countries. While 14 feature films have been nominated in the competition section, the non-competition section will showcase 43 films.

Thakur said showcasing the diversity of films and styles of filmmaking from the SCO region is a major goal of the film festival, adding that the ongoing festival provides an opportunity to forge cinematic partnership among the countries of this region.