https://sputniknews.in/20230705/sco-concurs-on-terrorism-in-spite-of-indo-pakistani-differences-2841293.html
SCO Concurs on Terrorism in Spite of Indo-Pakistani Differences
SCO Concurs on Terrorism in Spite of Indo-Pakistani Differences
Sputnik India
SCO members have "in principle" reached a consensus over the issue of terrorism despite major differences between neighbors India and Pakistan, two geopolitical experts have said.
2023-07-05T16:54+0530
2023-07-05T16:54+0530
2023-07-05T16:54+0530
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Members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) have "in principle" arrived at a consensus over the issue of terrorism despite the differences between neighbors India and Pakistan, two geopolitical experts have said.Major General (Retd.) Shashi Bhushan Asthana, a decorated ex-Indian Army officer who took an active part in the Kargil war against Pakistan in 1999, stated that the consensus on terrorism had always been there as far as the talks between the SCO members are concerned. However, he pointed out that there had been no action on the ground.Member States Deem Terrorism as Major Threat The army veteran observed that when it comes to punishing those countries sponsoring terrorism, the opinion gets divided because of certain political reasons. For instance, the closeness of China with Pakistan is one factor, resulting in the response being 'diluted'.Otherwise, in considering terrorism as a threat, they have already arrived at a consensus."If they were not, then an organisation like RATS would not have come into existence. Plus, it's a common problem for SCO states, no central Asian nation is immune to the threat of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM)*. Similarly, Pakistan also faces a threat from Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP)*," Asthana asserted.The defense expert noted that almost every SCO member nation was up against the danger of terrorism. The Central European Region (CER) and East European countries also face this threat from radicalized groups emanating from Afghanistan.Similar views were shared by Dr. Gulshan Sachdeva, a professor at the Centre for European Studies in the School of International Studies at India's premier Jawaharlal Nehru University. According to Sachdeva, in principle, most countries have reached a consensus on terrorism because this is a key concern for the SCO.Doubts Over Practical Cooperation The academic stressed that while, in principle, there was not much of a problem on the subject but to what extent it will translate into practical cooperation between the member states "remains to be seen"."At some level, cooperation is happening between countries, but between India and Pakistan it is non-existent," he maintained.The two experts shared their perspectives hours after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called on SCO member states to condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, in spite of the continued accusations of cross-border terrorism from New Delhi."Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including state terrorism, must be condemned in clear and unambiguous terms. There can be no justification for the killing of innocent people regardless of the cause or pretext," he emphasised.Pakistan's Links With Global Terrorist OrganisationsThe Pakistan Prime Minister's remarks on terrorism are significant in light of Islamabad's allegedly close ties with global terrorist outfits like the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)*, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)* that have been used by the Islamic nation to wage a proxy war against India.Indian security agencies have long accused Islamabad of giving shelter to militant organisations that work against New Delhi's interests in the region.Investigations by India even unearthed evidence of the Pakistan-based LeT's involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack that left 166 people dead.*terror organisations banned in Russia, India, and other states
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SCO Concurs on Terrorism in Spite of Indo-Pakistani Differences
Terrorism is one of the core issues that has been a part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's (SCO) charter since its inception in 2004.
Members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) have "in principle" arrived at a consensus over the issue of terrorism despite the differences between neighbors India and Pakistan, two geopolitical experts have said.
Major General (Retd.) Shashi Bhushan Asthana, a decorated ex-Indian Army officer who took an active part in the Kargil war against Pakistan in 1999, stated that the consensus on terrorism had always been there as far as the talks between the SCO members are concerned. However, he pointed out that there had been no action on the ground.
Member States Deem Terrorism as Major Threat
"The fact is that there is a structure called Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) under the SCO framework, which means that everybody in the grouping recognizes terror as a major threat," Asthana told Sputnik on Wednesday.
The army veteran observed that when it comes to punishing those countries sponsoring terrorism, the opinion gets divided because of certain political reasons. For instance, the closeness of China with Pakistan is one factor, resulting in the response being 'diluted'.
Otherwise, in considering terrorism as a threat, they have already arrived at a consensus.
"If they were not, then an organisation like RATS would not have come into existence. Plus, it's a common problem for SCO states, no central Asian nation is immune to the threat of the
East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM)*. Similarly, Pakistan also faces a threat from
Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP)*," Asthana asserted.
The defense expert noted that almost every SCO member nation was up against the danger of terrorism. The
Central European Region (CER) and East European countries also face this threat from radicalized groups emanating from
Afghanistan.
"Hence everybody has their own problems of terrorism and that recognition of the problem is certainly there," Asthana concluded.
Similar views were shared by Dr. Gulshan Sachdeva, a professor at the Centre for European Studies in the School of International Studies at India's premier Jawaharlal Nehru University.
According to Sachdeva, in principle, most countries have reached a consensus on terrorism because this is a key concern for the SCO.
"As far as the matter of terrorism between India and Pakistan is concerned, I think, it looks like both countries have accepted that terrorism is a threat. Even in the Delhi declaration, you could see both the countries used a particular language, condemning terror in all its forms," Sachdeva clarified, speaking to Sputnik.
Doubts Over Practical Cooperation
The academic stressed that while, in principle, there was not much of a problem on the subject but to what extent it will translate into practical cooperation between the member states "remains to be seen".
"At some level, cooperation is happening between countries, but between India and Pakistan it is non-existent," he maintained.
The two experts shared their perspectives hours after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called on SCO member states to condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, in spite of the continued accusations of cross-border terrorism from New Delhi.
"SCO member states have a shared interest in ensuring peace and stability in the region, which is a precondition for economic development anywhere in the world," Sharif stated in the SCO's virtual conference hosted by India on Tuesday.
"Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including state terrorism, must be condemned in clear and unambiguous terms. There can be no justification for the
killing of innocent people regardless of the cause or pretext," he emphasised.
Pakistan's Links With Global Terrorist Organisations
The Pakistan Prime Minister's remarks on terrorism are significant in light of Islamabad's allegedly close ties with global terrorist outfits like the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)*, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)* that have been used by the Islamic nation to wage a proxy war against India.
Indian security agencies have long accused Islamabad of giving shelter to militant organisations that work against New Delhi's interests in the region.
Investigations by India even unearthed evidence of the Pakistan-based LeT's involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack that left 166 people dead.
*terror organisations banned in Russia, India, and other states
