SCO’s Expansion Prospects and Challenges way forward Essay

  1. Introduction

2. Overview of SCO and Its Recent Expansion

a.  Establishment of SCO

b.  Geographical and historical overview

c.   Previous and new members

3. Importance and Significance of SCO in the Contemporary World

a.       Enormous potential for trade

b.       Shifting the global balance

c.       A step toward a multi-polar world

4. Prospects Emerging out of SCO’s Recent Expansion

a)       Economic Prospects

•       Increased multilateral trade

•       Opening up of new transit routes

•       Increased access to global markets

•       Cooperation in medicine, energy, food and technology sectors

b)      Political Prospects

•       Strong Eurasian bloc

•       Decreasing tensions among member states

•       Active role in conflict-resolution

•       Better cooperation against terrorism

•       Use of ARTS platform for security cooperation

•       Better border management

c)       Social Prospects

•       Effective role against smuggling

•       Minimizing the drug trade

•       Cooperation against human trafficking

•       Cultural exchange

d)      Prospects Peculiar to China and Russia

•       Strong regional allies

•       Access to new markets

•       Increased influence in global politics

•       Countering USA’s ‘Pivot to Asia’ policy

e)      Prospects Peculiar to Central Asian Republics

•       Infrastructural development

•       Access to warm waters

•       Transit route to Africa and Southeast Asia

f)        Prospects Peculiar to India and Pakistan

•       Energy trade with Central Asian Republics

•       Better conflict management

•       Increased interdependence

5. Challenges Associated with Recent Expansion

a.       Political and Administrative Challenges

•       Conflicts among states

•       Unstable political setups

•       Lack of political cooperation

•       Security situation in Afghanistan

•       Terrorism and terrorist organizations

•       Foreign funding and threat of the ISIS

•       US influence over India and Pakistan

•       Pakistan and India’s poor record as SAARC member states

b.       Economic and Social Challenges

•       Lack of infrastructure

•       Underdevelopment prevailing in Pakistan and India

•       Rough terrain, hard to develop

•       Lack of funds

•       High dependence on foreign loans

6. Recommendations to Overcome the Challenges

•       Member states should increase political cooperation among them

•       SCO should play active role in conflict-resolution

•       Cooperation on ARTS platform should be enhanced

•       Comprehensive plan should be made against smuggling, drug trafficking, etc.

•       China and Russia should provide loans to other member states

•       Budget of SCO should be increased

•       SCO nations should cooperate in technology

•       Non-tariff trade barriers should be removed

7. Conclusion