Pakistan & the SCO Summit: Catalyst for Multipolarity

SCO Summit in Pakistan

Pakistan is set to host a significant international diplomatic event—the 23rd heads of government meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit on October 15-16, 2024. This gathering will serve as a platform for discussions on pressing regional issues. It also provides Pakistan with an opportunity to redefine its position in the complex geopolitical landscape. Pakistan seeks to bolster its international relations amidst rising global tensions.

Global leaders will convene to tackle issues ranging from security threats to economic partnerships. Pakistan has a unique opportunity to redefine its role on the international stage. The implications of this gathering could resonate far beyond the conference halls. It may shape the future of regional cooperation and spark new conversations around youth engagement and economic innovation.

Key Topics of Discussion

The summit will cover critical issues such as:

• Counter-terrorism strategies
• Regional stability enhancement
• Trade and investment initiatives
• Environmental cooperation

With leaders from China, Russia, India, Iran, and Central Asia attending, the discussions will significantly influence regional dynamics.

Notable Attendees

Confirmed participants include:

• Chinese Premier Li Qiang
• Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin
• Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref
• Prime ministers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan
• India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (attending at the ministerial level)

The SCO’s Role in Global Geopolitical Shifts

The SCO’s membership spans nearly 40% of the global population and 32% of the world’s GDP. Since its inception in 2001, it has grown in significance. The organization initially focused on combating terrorism and extremism as a security-centric bloc. Over time, it has evolved to promote economic integration, trade connectivity, and environmental cooperation.

• A Shift to Multipolarity: The world is steadily moving towards a multipolar order. Rising powers like China and Russia are challenging traditional Western dominance. The SCO serves as a counterbalance to this Western-centric world order. It offers a platform for collective security and economic cooperation, inclusive of both authoritarian and democratic regimes. As the war in Ukraine and the U.S.-China rivalry intensify, the SCO’s ability to maintain unity among its diverse members becomes more critical than ever.
• Geopolitical Frictions within the SCO: The expansion of the SCO, now including India, Pakistan, and Iran, has introduced significant complexities. Internal frictions, especially between China and India, as well as between Pakistan and India, threaten to undermine collective decision-making. Balancing these rivalries will test the SCO’s ability to remain an effective platform for cooperation. Some members are advocating for a recalibration of the organization’s priorities, urging a refocus on Central Asian stability and security.

The SCO Summit: A Turning Point for Pakistan and Regional Cooperation

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), established in 2001, represents a dynamic collaboration of nations that account for nearly 40% of the global population and 32% of the world’s GDP. In a world of shifting global power dynamics, this offers a significant opportunity for member states to shape future geopolitical and economic directions.

With roots tracing back to the Shanghai Five (China, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan), the SCO evolved with the inclusion of Uzbekistan in 2001, and later, India and Pakistan in 2017, followed by Iran in 2023. This expansion underscores its increasing relevance in regional dialogue, security, and economic cooperation.

The SCO’s Multifaceted Role

At its core, the SCO tackles security concerns, with an emphasis on combating terrorism and promoting regional stability. However, its focus has broadened to address non-traditional threats like cybersecurity and climate change, and it fosters law enforcement collaboration. Joint exercises against drug trafficking and human smuggling have grown in importance, especially in unstable regions like Afghanistan. These collaborative efforts are spearheaded by the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS).

Economic Integration as a Priority

Economically, the SCO facilitates essential dialogue among some of the world’s fastest-growing economies. Over the past 5 years, mutual trade between the SCO countries increased 1.5-fold — from $336 billion in 2019 to $490 billion in 2023. 

This integration offers countries like Pakistan a path to sustainable prosperity through projects such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which aligns with the SCO’s goal of enhancing connectivity and trade across South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East.

For Pakistan, energy crisis solutions, enhanced trade, and infrastructure projects present a transformative opportunity, making this summit pivotal for the country’s economic future. Far from being merely an “anti-Western” bloc, the SCO thrives on diversity, with member states including both authoritarian and democratic regimes, illustrating its adaptability to a range of geopolitical challenges.

Also See: From Eagle’s Grip to SCO-Led Multipolarity?

Diplomatic Engagement Amid Complex Relationships

This summit presents an opportunity for Pakistan and India to potentially engage diplomatically, even though their historically strained relations suggest tempered expectations. India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, will attend, highlighting the platform’s role in confidence-building measures under a multilateral framework.

However, India’s complex relationship within the SCO has raised questions, especially following Prime Minister Modi’s decision to skip recent summit held in July 2024. The SCO’s framework may still offer space for dialogue amidst bilateral tensions.

Pakistan’s Rising Global Role

Successfully hosting the SCO summit offers Pakistan a chance to reposition itself on the global stage, strengthening ties with regional powers and reaffirming its standing in international diplomacy. The arrival of Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang highlights the significance of this moment, as Pakistan leverages its role as a connector between South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. Premier Li’s visit, coinciding with the summit, focuses on deepening economic ties, particularly under the CPEC initiative, demonstrating the weight of Pakistan-China relations.

Additionally, ongoing geopolitical trends emphasize a shift toward multipolarity, driven by rising non-Western powers like China and Russia. The growing influence of Iran and Central Asian states reflects this, with the SCO emerging as a critical platform for cooperation amidst global uncertainty.

Looking Ahead: Pakistan’s International Standing

Historically, Pakistan has been a prominent voice among developing nations and within the Muslim world. However, due to various internal challenges, particularly economic instability, its international stature has waned in recent years. Successfully hosting the SCO summit would not only demonstrate Pakistan’s capability to facilitate critical discussions but also signal its resurgence on the global stage. Achieving full BRICS membership, for which Pakistan has applied, would further bolster its standing and enhance its foreign relations.

The 2024 SCO Summit and Its Global Implications

As 2024 unfolds, the SCO summit positions Pakistan at the center of major geopolitical discussions. With persistent instability in regions like the Middle East and rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific, the SCO’s role in developing regional cooperation becomes even more vital. Pakistan’s successful hosting of the summit could bolster its diplomatic standing, signaling its resurgence as a key player in shaping the evolving multipolar world order. By engaging constructively within the SCO framework, Pakistan stands to enhance its economic prospects and secure a more prominent role in global diplomacy.

Moreover, the growing influence of non-Western powers, particularly China and Russia, highlights a broader trend toward a multipolar world order. Countries like Iran and Central Asian states are leveraging their strategic positions to enhance their influence, creating new dynamics in regional and global politics. In this context, the SCO can serve as a platform for encouraging cooperation among diverse states, enabling them to pursue common interests while addressing shared challenges.

Conclusion

The upcoming SCO summit represents a critical juncture for Pakistan to reassert its role in regional affairs and contribute to the evolving narrative of multipolarity in global politics. As global power structures shift, Pakistan has a unique opportunity to engage constructively with neighboring states, using the SCO’s framework to foster cooperation in key areas such as security, trade, and climate resilience.

By leveraging this multilateral platform, Pakistan can enhance its economic prospects and deepen regional connectivity. It also has the chance to restore its standing as a significant player on the international stage. The summit in Islamabad could become a watershed moment not just for Pakistan but for the entire Eurasian region. The outcomes of this gathering may chart a new course for regional cooperation, security, and economic development. In an increasingly multipolar world, diverse powers are seeking balanced alliances and collaborative solutions.

SAT Commentaries’ are social media threads by various authors, reproduced here for website use. Views are their own.

SAT Commentary

SAT Commentaries, a collection of insightful social media threads on current events and social issues, featuring diverse perspectives from various authors.

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