A way out for Pakistan?
Pakistan took a major step towards getting the membership of the SCO by signing the Memorandum of Obligations in Tashkent on June 24. Islamabad has been asked to endorse all the documents of the SCO since its founding in 2001. It is hoped that the task would be completed by the time the next SCO summit is held in June 2017. The SCO is focused on two main issues i.e., jointly fighting terrorism and promoting trade and investment among member countries. Both the issues were duly highlighted in the Tashkent declaration issued at the end of the two day summit.
Like Pakistan, India also signed the Memorandum of Obligations and will have to endorse 30 documents before June 2017 for confirmation of its membership. By joining the SCO the two countries have implicitly pledged to improve their relations, enhance bilateral trade and jointly fight against terrorism and extremism. In his address President Vladimir Putin welcomed Pakistan and India saying, “We need to start directly integrating India and Pakistan into the SCO’s regular cooperation mechanisms such as the Council of Heads of State and the regular meetings of member states’ foreign ministers”. This will hopefully help to bring the two countries closer.
COAS Raheel Sharif says Pakistan is opposed to using proxies against other countries and will also not allow any other country to use proxies against Pakistan. By joining the SCO the two countries would be allowing their relations to be monitored by the Organisation. Despite attempts during the two successive democratic administrations, Pakistan and India have failed to develop friendly relations. The SCO faces the challenge of helping the two South Asian rivals avoid conflict, improve trade and contribute to peace and development in the subcontinent. At a time when the priorities of the US in South Asia are changing, SCO offers a way out for Pakistan. What is needed is for Islamabad to conduct itself as a member of the SCO in a way that strengthens its image as a dependable ally.