India's Policy Towards Shanghai Cooperation Organization

Abstract

International terrorism still remains one of the serious threats to the South and Central Asian region. The main objective of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is to counter these threats and challenges in the region. India had expressed its desire to play an expanded and more meaningful role in the SCO which included full membership in the organization. Central Asia’s rich natural resources, including significant reserves of oil and natural gas, and its location in the center of Eurasia have attracted immense global attention. There is significant common interest on the basis of which, India and Central Asian Republics (CARs) can further enhance cooperation. Counterterrorism, energy security, economic integration with CARs and improving connectivity are some of the key objectives of India.