News Excerpt:

The National Security Advisor (NSA) of India Ajit Doval attended the 19th Meeting of Secretaries of the Security Council of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Astana, Kazakhstan.

About the news:

• The meeting was hosted by Kazakhstan, the president of the SCO till July 2024.
• He spoke about the need to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all SCO members while implementing connectivity projects. India is the only country that does not endorse China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
• India also reiterated its stance against double standards in the fight against terrorism and voiced apprehension about the security situation in Afghanistan.

Double standards against terrorism:

• Condemning the terror attack at the Crocus city hall in Moscow last month, Doval expressed India’s solidarity with Russia in combating terrorism in all its manifestations.
• The Indian NSA also firmly stated that cross-border terrorism, regardless of its motives or perpetrators, is never justified.
• He spoke for the need to hold sponsors, financiers, and facilitators of terrorism accountable.

Apprehension about the security situation in Afghanistan:

•  NSA expressed concern about the continued presence of terrorist networks in Afghanistan and underscored India’s legitimate security and economic interests in the country.
• He also highlighted the ongoing threat in Afghanistan posed by terrorist groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Muhammad, Al Qaeda, ISIS, and their affiliates.
• Regarding the SCO’s priorities in Afghanistan, he mentioned the need for providing humanitarian assistance, ensuring the formation of an inclusive government, combating terrorism and drug trafficking, and safeguarding the rights of women, children, and minorities.

Benefits of SCO to India:

• India's presence in a Eurasian body will enhance India’s international standing. It is expected that it would help India get greater access to regional markets and its politico-strategic dynamics.
• India will also benefit from stepping up cooperation, especially by participating in the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) that shares key information and intelligence on the movements of terrorists and drug trafficking. 
• Likewise, participation in the SCO’s counterterror exercises and annually conducted military drills will benefit the Indian armed forces in understanding the operational tactics of other militaries. 
• The permanent membership will help India to work closely with other Central Asian countries.
• The SCO could also facilitate the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline.