Why is Trump suddenly so kind to Pakistan?

Kashmir For Kashmiris

When the G7 summit ended in Canada on June 17, 2025, all the leaders smiled for the cameras, shook hands and made big promises. But the real drama began when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump missed meeting each other by just a few hours. Modi arrived at the summit as a guest and Trump left early. This was unusual because the two leaders have always given the impression of close relations.

That evening, the Indian Foreign Minister made it clear in Parliament that there was no discussion between Modi and Trump about any American mediation. But that same night, there was a 35-minute phone call between the two leaders. In this call, Modi told Trump bluntly that India did not need any American mediation in the Pakistan issue. This sentence was very unpleasant for Trump because only a month ago, the US was claiming to the world that it played a significant role in the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. India openly rejected this narrative and this was what stung the US administration.
The very next day, June 18, Trump took a surprising step. He invited Pakistan's Army Chief General Asim Munir to the White House. It was a historic and symbolic moment because it was the first time a serving Pakistani general had been formally welcomed to the White House by a US president. Obviously, the message for India was something else. Modi continued his scheduled visit to Croatia that same day and did not accept Trump's invitation. The aim was clearly not to trap Modi in a photoshoot with General Asim Munir.

Meanwhile, the US began to put trade pressure on India. Trump called India a "dead economy" and imposed a 50 percent tariff on Indian goods. But Modi said that India would never compromise on the interests of its farmers, dairy farmers and fishermen. This narrative began to stir public sentiment in India. There were talks of boycotting American brands on social media. Modi, while speaking in Bangalore, said that now is the time for India to prioritize its needs more.

Interestingly, Tesla opened its second showroom in Delhi in the same days. That is, despite the tension in relations, contacts were ongoing at the business level. In early August, Modi and Trump had another phone call in which they discussed the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East. At the same time, both assured to continue cooperation on the strategic partnership and the Quad. But the reality is that US policy is based on a strategy of applying strong pressure and coaxing countries.

Now the situation is that a deadline of August 27 has been given for a trade agreement so that India can be saved from the 50 percent tariff wall. The question is who will back down first.

My personal opinion is that America wants all the small issues to be resolved quickly so that its main focus can be on China. America has seen in the May Pak-India war that India alone is not so important that Pakistan and its supporting Muslim countries should be sacrificed to India.

I believe that there are three types of thinking in Washington. One section, under the influence of Israel and Indian ideologies, still insists that the Muslims should first be completely resolved and then move towards China. The second theory, under the influence of European countries, is that Russia should be eliminated first and Muslims are fish in a pot and will be caught and fried at any time.

The third theory has emerged from the recent administration in Washington, which believes that the most dangerous problem is China and that time is very short to solve it. This theory belongs to the Trump group. Under this theory, Trump also wants to stop the war with Israel, but Israel has the ability to control the entire Senate and Congress, including Trump, so despite Trump's best efforts, the war cannot be stopped. The European Union is the weakest group, so its innocent desire to eliminate Russia has been strangled for now.

I believe that pressure is being put on the Modi government to end the conflict between India and Pakistan in relation to this thinking of the Trump group. In my view, Trump's behavior is part of this strategy. Giving importance to Pakistan and increasing pressure on India. Think about it: if Kashmir and the other conflicts are somehow resolved, will Pakistan need China as much as it does now?
But I think that now the whole world is clearly seeing the tricks of America. Just yesterday Trump announced a secret plan that he will not let Russia and China get close to each other. I think that when the time comes, Pakistan will stand with China and God willing, now India will also be seen standing with China. Now no country is ready to tolerate the slavery of European imperialism any longer. Today the Chinese Foreign Minister is coming to India. I pray that the relations between India and China will improve.

PMFME Scheme: Transforming India’s Micro Food Processing Enterprise

The PMFME scheme provides a range of financial benefits and subsidies to eligible applicants to help them upgrade or set up new food processing units: Credit-Linked Capital Subsidy: 35% subsidy on the eligible project cost (up to ₹10 crore) for upgrading or setting up new units.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme, minor forest produce (MFP) units are eligible for support through the One District, One Product (ODOP) approach, which focuses on processing, value addition, and entrepreneurship in specific districts. The scheme provides support for establishing and upgrading individual processing units, developing common infrastructure, offering capacity building and training, and providing branding and marketing assistance for MFP-based products like honey, medicinal plants, and other traditional items, often in collaboration with TRIFED. How MFP Units Are Supported:

• One District, One Product (ODOP):

  The scheme identifies specific products within each district, including certain MFPs, for focused development. 
• Micro Food Processing Units:

  Support is provided for establishing new and upgrading existing individual micro-processing units for MFPs. 
• Value Addition & Processing:

  The scheme encourages the processing of MFPs into various products like jams, juices, honey-based products, and herbal products. 
• Infrastructure:

  Common infrastructure facilities are developed to support MFP processing activities. 
• Capacity Building:

  Training programs are offered to enhance the skills and knowledge of entrepreneurs in MFP processing and value addition. 
• Branding & Marketing:

  Assistance is provided for the branding and marketing of processed MFP products, helping them reach broader markets. 
• Support for Groups:

  Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and Cooperatives engaged in MFP processing also receive support under the scheme. 

PMFME online application,

PMFME benefits,

PMFME registration,

PMFME eligibility,

Please contact your District Resource person

For Ganderbal, Bandipora & Srinagar : Wali Ullah Islam (DRP  

Ph/WhatsApp :  788 971 3390

Pulwama : Jalal Ul Din (DRP Pulwama, Ph/WhatsApp : 788 938 8507

District  Kulgam: Aijaz Bashir (DRP Kulgam), Ph/WhatsApp : 916005525736

Elderberry cultivation in Kashmir

In folk medicine today, the elderberry is widely considered one of the world’s most healing plants.
Sheikh Gulzar
International Standard Serial Number
International Info. Resource centre (ISSN: 0975-3095)

 

Sambacus nigra-Elderberry : It grows up to 9 meters tall and bears clusters of small white or cream flowers. Its fruits are found in small black or blue-black bunches. Sambacus nigra is found in North America, Canada, Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh,  Northern  Afghanistan, Kashmir and other cold regions. Apart from this, this plant can be cultivated  in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and other cold places in India.

 
 

Elderberry fruit plants from Kashmir

The fruits are very hard and must be ripe to eat. Its flowers have a delicious nutmeg flavor and can be eaten raw or cooked.
 
Elderberry tree Its various parts have been used throughout history for medicinal and culinary purposes.

Historically, the flowers and leaves have been used to relieve pain, stimulate urine production for swelling and inflammation, and promote sweating. Crest is diuretic, laxative and causes vomiting.

In public, mostly dried fruit or fruit juice; Also used in flu, infection, sciatica, headache, toothache, heartache, and neuralgia as laxative and diuretic therapy.

Amazing benefits of elderberry
 
Elderberry is one of the most widely used plants in the world to treat various ailments. They are the fruit of the Sambucus tree, which is native to most of Europe. They contain antioxidants and are believed by many to ward off colds and flus and boost the immune system. Unripe berries are also poisonous and cause stomach problems, so they should be eaten when fully ripe. These berries are edible after cooking and can be used to make jams, jellies, sauces and chutneys. Apart from being versatile and nutritious, they have a long list of health benefits. Have a look!
 
It can also be cooked and made into fruit, juice, jam, pie and elderberry syrup. The flowers are often boiled with sugar to make a sweet syrup or drink as a tea. They can also be eaten in salads.

How it helps fight the flu
Elderberries have some anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and are often used to treat colds and coughs. They are also an excellent immune system booster that protects against various autoimmune disorders. To treat conditions like influenza, you can take 15 ml of elderberry syrup 4 times a day for up to 5 days. For children with flu, the dose is 5 ml while for adults, it is 10 ml twice a day. Other important facts about this amazing berry that is packed with health benefits.

Nutritional value
One cup of large berries contains 106 calories and 26.68 grams of carbohydrates. One cup also contains 55 mg of calcium, 9 mg of folate and 2.32 mg of iron. One cup of elderberries contains 10.2 grams of dietary fiber.

Supports skin health
Elderberry fruit is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, along with its high content of vitamin A, which play an important role in improving the skin. The anthocyanins in elderberry have been shown to counteract the internal effects of natural aging.

Reduces aging
Elderberries contain high levels of vitamin A and bioflavonoids that help soften skin, reduce the appearance of age spots, and prevent wrinkles.

Manages diabetes.
They have traditionally been used to treat diabetes. Some of the active antioxidant compounds found in elderflower extract help regulate glucose levels and insulin.

Strengthens bones.
The calcium, iron and potassium in berries are known to strengthen bones as well as the formation of new bone tissue. Additionally, the anthocyanins in these berries help prevent bone loss in some cases.

Prevents cancer
Elderberry extracts are rich in anthocyanins, which have been shown to have pharmacological, therapeutic and anticancer properties. Various studies have shown that elderberry has some chemo-preventive properties that delay, prevent or reverse the formation of cancer.

Fights inflammation
Elderberry has several anti-inflammatory properties. According to various studies, the anthocyanins in elderberries can help fight inflammation, which is at the root of many chronic diseases.
 
Improves heart health
 
Large berries help control blood pressure thanks to their potassium content. Studies show that elderberry juice can lower blood fat levels and lower cholesterol. Foods rich in flavonoids such as anthocyanins reduce the risk of heart disease.
 
Elderberry in Food processing industry
 
Jam, Jelly, Juice & squash are made from fruits and these are food items. This food processing industry has thus far developed as a demand – based industry and hence only about 1.5 percent of fruits of the country is processed so far. If promoted as a local resource based industry its growth may be much larger especially because of fast increase in export. 

India is second to only Brazil in fruit production. In fruit and vegetable production India can boast of not only the quantity but also variety. Besides, the country is get to exploit large part of horticultural land in the form of hill slopes. Transport, storage and processing are the needs for fruit and vegetable, production in the country. At present about 40 percent of Indian horticultural produces go waste due to lack of these facilities. Fruits can be processed to produce juice squash Jam, Jelly and Marmalades. Jam jelly making is simply a profitable business. 

In addition, you can initiate the business as a small scale with low capital investment.
 
Food processing industry has started receiving a great deal of attention from the policy makers. The current industrial policy in food processing is also favourable for food processing industry. India is the 2nd largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world, and the food processing sector in the country is expected to double in the next decade. 

The ever-growing consumer demands have opened up huge investment opportunities for foreign and private entities in the food processing industry currently.
 
Generally, jam and jelly from almost every type of fruit and some vegetables. 
Fruit jam contains rich fruit pulp and available in quince, apple, blackberry, blueberry, kiwi, apricot, sea buckthorn, gojiberry, mulberry, elderberry, cherry, mixed fruit, pineappleand orange flavors.
 
Jelly is a clear, bright mixture made from fruit juice, sugar and sometimes pectin. Generally, people use jelly and jam as the bread spread and as a filling for some cakes and cookies. 
 
An informative guide to elderberry cultivation for beginners

Elderberries have a long history of use as both medicine and food. For centuries they have been used in folk medicine for a variety of ailments and diseases, but they have only recently gained popularity in the United States. Elderberry fruit is high in vitamins A and C, phosphorus, potassium and iron. It is also rich in antioxidants and has immune supporting properties.
 
There is increasing interest in planting elderberries for harvesting edible fruits and flowers, although it should be noted that most parts of the plant are poisonous and the berries must be cooked to be safe for consumption. Increase in rain gardens and shrub borders. Bees and butterflies flock to the flowers, and the fruit is highly attractive to many birds and other wildlife.
identity
 
Two species of elderberry are commonly grown in gardens and landscapes: the American elderberry (Sambacux canadensis) and the European elderberry Sambacus nigra). The American elderberry is native to New Hampshire and can be found growing in moist soil at the edges of woodlands or wetlands. It can grow five to ten feet tall and wide and has gray barked stems with white pithy centers. Groups of stems arise from the roots and develop an arching and spreading habit. The opposite leaves are compound, with five to 11 leaflets that have veins. The large, flat-topped, white flowers are borne between mid-June and mid-July. They give way to purple-black, berry-like fruits in August to September.
 
The European elderberry is closely related to the American elderberry and is quite similar in appearance. The main difference is that the European elderberry is slightly more tree-like and slightly less cold hardy. Most cultivated varieties of elderberry that can be purchased at garden centers and nurseries are European species. These showy forms often have yellow, purple or lace leaves, and are grown for ornamental rather than culinary purposes. American elderberry is also readily available for purchase, both as berries and as potted plants.
 
Planting
Elderberries are very easy to grow as long as they are planted in the right conditions. They grow very well in consistently moist, fertile soil. They can tolerate occasional drought and temporarily wet soils but are not a good choice for sandy or swampy sites. As for pH, soil can be either acidic or alkaline, although slightly acidic (5.5 to 6.5) is ideal. For maximum flowers and berries, plant large berries in full sun. Partial shade can be tolerated if you are growing the plant for its ornamental foliage.
 
Plant elderberries in the soil as deep as their roots. Elderberries are shallow-rooted, so keep them well-watered during the first growing season. Aim to keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy, by applying irrigation whenever rainfall is less than an inch in a week. Applying a two- to three-inch layer of compost or wood chips to plant roots will help conserve soil moisture and build organic matter in the soil. Fertilization is not necessary in the first year after planting. In fact, elderberries generally don't need a lot of fertilizer and can get all their nutrients from decaying organic matter in the soil.
 
Some thought should also go into where the elderberry is planted from a design and maintenance standpoint. It is a very fast-growing shrub with a sucking habit that makes it look haphazard and out of place in certain settings. Although it would look at home in a pond edge, drainage, rain garden or natural buffer area, it is not the best choice as a foundation plant or background for a formal garden. Make sure it is planted in an area where it will be easily accessible for maintenance purposes.
 
Elderberry requires a lot of pruning to keep it attractive and productive. Pruning can be dealt with in three different ways: 1) Annual removal of dead or weak stems; 2) Trim stems by about 1/3; or 3) cut all stems to the ground to rejuvenate completely. Elderberry blooms on the current season's new growth, so pruning should be done in late winter or early spring.
 
Elderberries generally don't need to be fertilized to keep them lush and healthy, and you should be able to tell by looking at the bush if additional nutrients are necessary. If the plant is very vigorous and produces lots of new growth each year, no fertilizer is needed. However, if few new canes are produced and growth is poor, you may want to consider fertilizing with a slow-release organic fertilizer. It is best to have your soil tested to see if the pH and available nutrients are adequate.
 
During particularly dry periods, elderberry will benefit from additional irrigation if planted in dry soil. Watering is extremely important for the first season or two after planting.
 

Planting materials
Seed/Planting materials can be obtained from Jammu and Kashmir Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre,POB 40 GPO Srinagar, JK 190001
Mob/WhatsApp : 9858986794
Ph: 01933-223705
e-mail: jkmpic@gmail.com
 

The Role of Al Aziz Library in Pampore’s Educational Growth

Al Aziz Library – Namblabal, Pampore Your Peaceful Destination for Focused Self-Study Al Aziz Library is a dedicated self-study space designed especially for students preparing for competitive exams like NEET, JEE, JKSSB, UPSC, SSC, and more. With a calm and disciplined atmosphere, the library offers individual cabins, AC facility, high-speed Wi-Fi, separate washrooms for boys and girls, and a strict silence policy — all tailored to help students concentrate better and achieve their goals. Whether you're a school student or a serious aspirant, Al Aziz Library provides the ideal environment to study without distraction."

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Elderberry Seeds in India: Where to Find Them and How to Start

Growing your own elderberries in India is an exciting prospect for home gardeners and health enthusiasts alike. Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is a plant celebrated for its medicinal properties, and cultivating it can provide you with fresh berries for syrups, jams, and teas.

Elderberry trees in Kashmir

More info : https://jkseedsbank.blogspot.com/2025/08/elderberry-seeds-in-india-where-to-find.html

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Kashmir Times Exclusive: Inside the Valley’s Latest Political Storm

Kashmir Times 

About Us

Since 1954, The Kashmir Times has stood up for democratic rights, equality, peace and justice. We continue to forge a more just and equitable future through fearless reporting and reasoned ideas.

When others chase breaking news and trending topics, we pursue fundamental truths. When others bow to power, we investigate it. Our commitment to independent, fact-based journalism isn't just a principle. It is the very reason we exist.

Our pages are aimed at speaking for the marginalized and voiceless communities, understanding issues holistically for shaping policy and transforming the conversation.

History

Established in 1954, the Kashmir Times is the oldest English-language daily newspaper from Jammu and Kashmir. Ved Bhasin (1929-2015), hailed as the father of modern journalism in Jammu and Kashmir, led the newspaper as both founder and editor-in-chief.

A renowned journalist and peace activist, Bhasin always championed press freedom, secular values, and human rights in the region. He firmly believed in dialogue and democracy as the way to resolve the long-standing problems in J&K and South Asia.

As a journalist and peace activist, he confronted power with truth, choosing the difficult path of honest reporting in a region that has navigated many phases of severe repression. His unwavering defense of press freedom created spaces for voices that power sought to silence.

We carry forward the profound legacy of Ved Bhasin, whose courage and conviction continue to light our path. Every story we publish, every investigation we pursue, and every voice we amplify carries forward Bhasin's vision of journalism as a force for positive change.

In its new digital multi-media format (since November 2023), which replaces the previous print edition, we remain committed to his principles: unflinching secular values, unwavering defence of human rights, and upholding principles of democracy, liberty and equality.

Editor: Prabodh Jamwal
Managing Editor: Anuradha Bhasin

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Welcome to SCO summit, China tells Narendra Modi

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)

China on Friday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's planned visit to the Tianjin Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to be held later this month, describing the event as "a gathering of solidarity, friendship and fruitful results." 

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) currently has nine member states: China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Iran. Belarus was also recently admitted as a member in July 2024, bringing the total to ten. 

The SCO was initially formed in 2001 by China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan joined in 2017, and Iran was added in 2023. 

Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), is an intergovernmental organization established in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan with the aim of promoting cooperation and peace among its member states, as well as fostering “a new democratic, fair and rational international political and economic order.” The organization expanded to include India and Pakistan in 2017 and Iran in 2023, bringing the total to nine member states. The SCO also includes 3 observer states—Mongolia, Belarus, and Afghanistan (currently inactive)—and 14 dialogue partners: Sri Lanka, Turkey, Cambodia, Azerbaijan, Nepal, Armenia, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Myanmar, the Maldives, and the United Arab Emirates. The official languages of the SCO are Chinese and Russian.

2022 Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
2022 Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Heads of government pose for a group photo at the 2022 SCO Summit, including notable leaders such as China's Xi Jinping, Russia's Vladimir

 Putin, India's Narendra Modi, Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Iran's Ebrahim Raisi.

It is the world’s largest regional organization by geography and population, covering about 80 percent of the Eurasian landmass and 40 percent of the world population. As of 2021, the bloc accounted for 20 percent of global GDP. Following the integration of Iran, the SCO now controls 20 percent of the world’s oil reserves and 44 percent of its natural gas. The SCO is a key institution in the Chinese and Russian strategic push toward a “multipolar world,” positioning itself as an alternative to Western-dominated international forums like the United Nations. At the 2005 SCO summit, Nursultan Nazarbayev, president of Kazakhstan, has been quoted as saying, “the leaders of the states sitting at this negotiation table are representatives of half of humanity.”

History, objectives, and structure
Formerly the Shanghai Five, founded in 1996, the organization was renamed the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in 2001 after Uzbekistan joined. The SCO Charter, effective from 2003, outlines its goals to promote regional peace, stability, and prosperity through cooperation in politics, economics, culture, and a coordinated effort to combat terrorism, extremism, and separatism.

Nursultan Nazarbayev
Nursultan NazarbayevKazakhstan's first president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, addresses delegates during the 2007 SCO summit.

The SCO is structured around its supreme decision-making body, the Council of Heads of State (CHS), which meets yearly to discuss organizational objectives. The CHS is supported by the Council of Heads of Government (CHG), which also meets annually to discuss strategic initiatives, economic cooperation, and budgetary matters. Additional councils focus on areas such as security, technological exchange, and environmental protection. The SCO has two permanent bodies: the Secretariat in Beijing, and the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

The SCO maintains active partnerships with major regional and international bodies, including the UN, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and ASEAN. While decision making within the SCO requires consensus, necessitating unanimous agreement from all member states, its policies and direction are heavily influenced by Russia and China, who are united in their desire to create a non-Western geopolitical forum and set of international norms. The United States applied for observer status in 2005 and was rejected, demonstrating the SCO’s commitment to maintaining autonomy from Western influence.

Key initiatives
Security collaboration has been a central and highly successful initiative, establishing the SCO as the primary security organization in Central Asia. From 2011 to 2015, the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) reported thwarting 20 planned terrorist attacks, disrupting 650 terrorist crimes, dismantling 440 terrorist training camps, arresting 2,700 extremist group members, neutralizing 1,700 others, and recovering 3,250 improvised explosive devices, 450,000 rounds of ammunition, and 52 tons of explosives. In addition to aggressive counterterrorism measures, the organization has promoted economic development and cultural dialogue as means to prevent further radicalization of vulnerable populations. The SCO has also made significant strides in anti-drug trafficking operations, accounting for 14 percent of confiscated drugs worldwide between 2012 and 2017. Despite initial skepticism of the SCO by the United Nations, the impressive outcomes of the SCO’s security operations have led the UN to recognize it as a crucial force for regional stability in Eurasia.

Energy cooperation is another key priority of the SCO. The SCO Energy Club, established in 2013, has significantly enhanced cooperation between major energy producers like Russia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, and consumers like China, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. The Club has supported projects like the Central Asia–China Gas Pipeline, and plans are underway to develop Turkey into a vital gas hub through which trade can be conducted among member states and with Europe. Beyond traditional energy sectors, China and Russia have also exported nuclear reactors to other member states. These initiatives aim to establish the SCO as a self-sufficient energy system and have played a major role in blunting the impact of international sanctions on Russia over the invasion of Ukraine.

Access for the whole family!
The SCO intersects significantly with China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) a cornerstone of China’s foreign policy designed to enhance global trade networks and infrastructure development across Asia, Europe, and Africa, functioning as a “new Silk Road.” Most SCO member states, with the notable exception of India, have endorsed or participated in the BRI, implementing projects such as the aforementioned Central Asia–China Gas Pipeline, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) in Kazakhstan, and the planned China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan (CKU) railway project. While the BRI’s focus on enhancing regional connectivity overlaps with the SCO’s objectives of promoting integration between member states, these projects have sometimes raised concerns about China’s growing influence in the region, which has led to friction with India and Russia.

Challenges and criticisms
Economic cooperation in the SCO has been limited, largely because Beijing’s proposals for a development fund and a free-trade zone have met resistance from Moscow, which harbors concerns about potential Chinese financial dominance. Some analysts suggest that the integration of India and Pakistan to the SCO may balance the financial influences within the organization and facilitate the establishment of an SCO Development Bank. However, despite the lack of organizational-level economic cooperation, economic ties between individual SCO member states remain robust.

Instability in Afghanistan has been a major challenge for SCO member states since the organization’s creation in 2001, due to the fact that Afghanistan shares borders with six SCO member states. At the SCO opening ceremony in 2001, Nursultan Nazarbayev described Afghanistan as a “cradle of terrorism, separatism, and extremism.” In 2005 the SCO-Afghanistan contact group was established for the purpose of maintaining stability in Afghanistan, and in 2012, Afghanistan became an SCO observer state, suggesting that the SCO saw potential for incorporating Afghanistan as a stable and productive member state. However, the situation in Afghanistan became a critical issue again following the Taliban takeover in September 2021. As of June 2024, no SCO member state has officially recognized the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan. This issue has proved divisive within the SCO, with India taking a cautious stance against legitimization of the Taliban government, and Russia, China, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan taking steps toward normalizing relations, arguing that as the Taliban continues to consolidate power in Afghanistan, ignoring the reality of its governance is not an option.
The SCO has often been criticized as a club of authoritarian governments, serving as a forum where Russia and China can normalize their aggressive posturing, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s assertive behavior in the South China Sea and toward Taiwan. However, this characterization is somewhat balanced and made more nuanced by the integration of India, the world’s largest democracy, which has been viewed as a counterweight to Chinese influence in Asia.

Outlook and future prospects
The SCO is currently at a critical point in its development toward being a key force in global affairs. Balancing its relationships with the United States and European Union—characterized by a delicate interplay of cooperation and competition—remains a crucial aspect of its development. Equally important is the SCO’s ability to harmonize the interests of its member states, particularly the major powers: China, Russia, and India. The organization has also been criticized for producing more rhetoric than action, as it has not achieved the level of economic cooperation seen in organizations like ASEAN or the European Union.

Nonetheless, the symbolic power of the SCO is significant, given its massive size, its anti-Western stance, and the historical context of its most influential members—Russia, China, India, and Pakistan—who share an interest in countering Western political and economic dominance. As the balance of global power continues to shift toward a multipolar world order, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and its individual member states are poised to continue growing in power and influence, both in Eurasia and globally.

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
Location: China, Beijing, Chaoyang District, Ritan road, 7
Postal Code: 100600
Phone: + 86-10-65329807
+ 86-10-65329836 (Administration)
Fax: + 86-10-65329808
E-mail: sco@sectsco.org
https://eng.sectsco.org/