On 4 July 2023, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Leaders’ Summit was held under the chairmanship of India. The summit is of great importance as it shows that despite all their differences, SCO members are united in the pursuit of multipolarity and make joint efforts to solve regional issues. Multipolarity was emphasized in the final declaration of the summit and the following statements were included in the introduction of the declaration:[1]
“The world is undergoing unprecedented transformations and is entering a new era of rapid technological development that requires an increase in the effectiveness of global institutions. These fundamental processes are accompanied by ever-stronger multipolarity, increasing interconnectedness, interdependence and an accelerated pace of digitalization.”
As can be understood, SCO members believe that the structure of the international system is undergoing a transformation and each state is driven by the desire to become a power center in a world that is evolving towards multipolarity. The SCO’s multipolarity goal is also motivated by the fact that its member states account for 40 percent of the world’s population and 30 percent of global GDP.[2] In other words, the SCO is a power center that cannot be ignored with its economic capacity and potential in terms of manpower.
In this sense, the SCO can be described as the “Monroe Doctrine of Asia”. In a sense, the regional capitals, challenging the global hegemony of the United States of America (USA), send a message to the Washington administration to “stay away from Asia’s affairs” and make joint efforts against regional problems.
However, the disputes between the members of the organization are at the heart of the discussions on the future of the SCO. Because, although the organization was established with the aim of resolving the problems between the member states and has been beneficial in terms of creating a dialogue mechanism, the disputes between the member states continue. Therefore, even though the parties are united on multipolarity, they still face some problems.
This was also reflected in the last summit. As a matter of fact, India made a dissenting comment on the inclusion of statements supporting the Belt and Road Initiative in the final declaration, and the following statements in the declaration made it clear that India will continue its opposition to the Belt and Road Initiative:[3]
“Reaffirming their support for China’s Belt and Road Initiative, the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan highlight the ongoing work to jointly implement the project.”
On the other hand, despite the disagreements, the parties agree on the continuation of cooperation in the fight against separatism, extremism and terrorism, which played a decisive role in the establishment of the SCO. This means that the actors care about cooperation not only in the context of multipolarity but also in terms of regional security. This is why the following statements were included in the declaration:
“Reaffirming their strong commitment to combat terrorism, separatism and extremism, Member States are determined to continue to take active measures to eliminate the enabling conditions for the spread of terrorism, to block terrorist financing channels, and to prevent recruitment activities and cross-border movements of terrorist organizations.”
The inclusion of this sentence in the declaration can be interpreted as a harbinger that the parties will expand and deepen their cooperation on extremism, separatism and terrorism. Moreover, Chinese President Xi Jinping has made statements that he resolutely opposes foreign interference in the internal affairs of the countries in the region and attempts to provoke ‘color revolutions’.[4] At one level, this statement is an objection to US hegemony. This is because it is known that the color revolutions were attempted to be implemented through groups supported by the US, especially in post-Soviet countries.
In fact, it can be said that the West uses terrorist organizations as proxy actors in line with its interests. Therefore, it is possible to read the possibility of terrorism destabilizing the SCO through the US’s efforts for regional chaos.
Another sign of multipolarity came from Russian President Vladimir Putin. During his speech, the Russian leader emphasized the importance of trade in local currencies.[5] Of course, Putin’s remarks indicate that efforts to de-dollarize will increase. Thus, Russia, especially together with China, wants to end the hegemony of the dollar by promoting yuan-ruble based trade relations.
It should also be emphasized that Iran’s accession to the SCO has taken place and the procedural processes have been completed, and a memorandum of understanding was signed with Belarus, which includes the determination of obligations for membership and the creation of a roadmap.[6] Considering the fact that Iran has had problematic relations with the West since the Islamic Revolution in 1979 and has been facing various sanctions again, especially under former US President Donald Trump, and that Belarus has internalized a political positioning close to Russia in recent years and has been subjected to sanctions, especially after the war in Ukraine, it can be argued that the SCO has reinforced its stance as an “alliance of others”.
In addition, on the occasion of this summit chaired by India, the SCO has clearly demonstrated its interest in global issues. As a matter of fact, various issues ranging from digital transformation to the declaration of 2024 as the “Year of Environment” were included in the final declaration.[7] Therefore, the organization seems to be ready to take the initiative in the transition to an environmentally friendly green economy in the context of combating climate change. This shows that SCO members are willing to find solutions to not only regional but also global problems.
In conclusion, the SCO Leaders’ Summit, held under India’s presidency, has once again brought to light the search for a multipolar world. For all their disagreements, member states seem to be united in their objection to the structure of the international system and American leadership.
[1] “New Delhi Declaration of the Council of Heads of State of Shanghai Cooperation Organization”, Ministery of External Affairs Government of India, https://mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/36751/New_Delhi_Declaration_of_the_Council_of_Heads_of_State_of_Shanghai_Cooperation_Organization, (Date of Accession: 06.07.2023).
[2] Emre Aytekin, “Şanghay İşbirliği Örgütü Değişen Dünya Dengelerinde Kritik Ağırlık Kazanıyor”, Anadolu Ajansı, https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/analiz/sanghay-isbirligi-orgutu-degisen-dunya-dengelerinde-kritik-agirlik-kazaniyor/2684833, (Date of Accession: 06.07.2023).
[3] “New Delhi Declaration…”, a.g.m.
[4] “Çin-Orta Asya Zirvesinde ‘Renkli Devrim’ Uyarısı Yapan Şi: Ekonomik Potansiyelimizi Ortaya Çıkaralım”, Sputnik News, https://sputniknews.com.tr/20230519/cin-orta-asya-zirvesinde-renkli-devrim-uyarisi-yapan-si-ekonomik-potansiyelimizi-ortaya-cikaralim-1071296263.html, (Date of Accession: 06.07.2023).
[5] “Local Currencies in His First International Appearance After the Failed Wagner Mutiny”, Insider, https://www.businessinsider.com/dedollarization-russia-putin-trade-local-national-currencies-yuan-ruble-sco-2023-7, (Date of Accession: 06.07.2023).
[6] “The Shanghai Cooperation Organization EXpands with the Entry of Iran”, Agenzia Nova, https://www.agenzianova.com/en/news/lorganizzazione-per-la-cooperazione-di-shanghai-si-allarga-con-lingresso-delliran/, (Date of Accession: 06.07.2023).
[7] “New Delhi Declaration…”, a.g.m.
