Rahmonov Mirsaid
Pakistan recently hosted the 23rd meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The prime ministers and representatives of SCO countries; Russia, China, India, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan participated in this historical event. In addition, Mongolia participated as an observer with the presence of the prime minister, and Turkmenistan as an honored guest.
As part of this meeting, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan Qohir Rasulzoda visited this country and met with the Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. It is worth noting that Shahbaz Sharif considered Tajikistan one of the main partner countries in the region and expressed interest in strengthening cooperation in various sectors, including economy, trade, culture and education. During the meeting, the situation and prospects of intergovernmental cooperation in the spheres of economy and trade, investment, industry, agriculture, culture and society were discussed.
The Ambassador of Tajikistan to Pakistan Yusuf Sharifzoda expressed his views on the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting, emphasizing its potential to foster cordial relations among SCO member states in the future. The Ambassador highlighted the significance of Tajikistan and Pakistan as key members of the SCO, noting that their geographical proximity is crucial for enhancing economic and trade integration among the member countries accordingly.
In the context of complex problems faced by the countries of the region and around the world, the member states of the SCO work together to advance its goals and objectives. It aims to address pressing issues and promote regional security, economic prosperity and cultural exchange. It is not only valuable for the SCO as an international organization, but also has the potential to be a model for relations between the countries of the world. By encouraging harmony and cooperation, it inspires collective progress and prosperity for all partners.
Since the beginning of the independence period, Central Asia has established good relations with the South Asian region, having common links of literature, culture, language and history, projects and programs in developing and sharing its abundant natural potential and creative initiatives play a strategic role in solving various world issues.
At the same time, Tajikistan is one of the countries with close geographical ties with Pakistan, and diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on June 6, 1992. The Embassy of Pakistan was opened in Dushanbe for the first time in 1993, and its activity began in early 1994. The President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, visited Pakistan for the first time in 1994 and visited this country several times to participate in meetings and meetings.
With invitation of the Government of Pakistan, the President of Tajikistan visited Pakistan in 2022 and met with the Prime Minister, the President and other top leaders of this country, as a result of which more than 10 documents of cooperation in various fields were signed between the two countries.
The ministries of foreign affairs of both countries are also strengthening and developing good diplomatic relations within the framework of agreements. Both countries are active members of UN, ECO, Shanghai Cooperation Organization and Organization of Islamic Countries and other regional forums and organizations.
One of the other areas that bring Tajikistan and Pakistan closer together is the implementation of the CASA-1000 project, the main coordination among Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan and Pakistan. It should be noted that the main objective of the CASA-1000 project is the generation and transmission of hydropower from Central Asia to South Asia. With the implementation of this project, the country of Pakistan will receive 1300 megawatts of electricity, which will further strengthen regional relations.
In the field of multilateral diplomacy, the Republic of Tajikistan pays special attention to the development of effective relations within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The concept of the foreign policy of the Republic of Tajikistan states: “The goal of the active participation of the Republic of Tajikistan in the SCO is to strengthen good neighborly relations, reliable and friendly relations between member states and observers in the Organization, as well as to ensure security, stability and sustainable economic development in the region.”
Therefore, the Republic of Tajikistan sees the priority directions of its activity within the framework of this Organization not only in the field of security and economic cooperation, but also in the development and strengthening of multilateral cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian sphere.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a Eurasian political, economic global organization. It is the largest regional organization in the world, covering about 60% of the Eurasian region and 40% of the world’s population. The SCO is the successor of the Shanghai Five, which was established in 1996 between the People’s Republic of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan. On June 15, 2001, the leaders of these countries and Uzbekistan met in Shanghai to announce a new organization of deep political and economic cooperation.
On June 9, 2017, at the 17th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO in Astana, Kazakhstan, Pakistan was officially accepted as a full member of the SCO. According to experts, the inclusion of Pakistan is an important stage of foreign policy, strengthening its cooperation with the SCO member states and enabling it to play an important role in the stability of the region.
Recently, the meeting of foreign ministers of the SCO was held in India on May 4 and 5, 2023. The foreign minister of Pakistan participated in this conference. This was the first visit of a senior Pakistani diplomat to India in the last 12 years.
The 22nd meeting of the Council of Heads of States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was held under the chairmanship of Kyrgyzstan on October 25-26, 2023 in Bishkek. According to the provisions of the SCO, after the end of the meeting, Pakistan was entrusted with its presidency in 2023-2024.
For Pakistan, the SCO provides a strategic platform to engage with its neighbors and beyond on issues of mutual concern. It is positioning itself as a key player in Central and South Asia to play an active role in regional affairs. The important issues such as security cooperation, fight against terrorism, promotion of trade and development of infrastructure, which are completely related to domestic and foreign policy priorities, were discussed at this conference. Energy security is an important issue for Pakistan and the region, and the SCO summit also provided a framework for developing cooperation with key regional players.
Hosting the SCO summit in Islamabad allowed Pakistan to demonstrate its growing influence on the world stage, especially in the context of regional diplomacy. In recent years, Pakistan’s foreign policy has focused on balancing its relations with the West and deepening its ties with China, Russia and other regional actors. This summit provided a unique opportunity to strengthen Pakistan’s position as a key player in regional and economic cooperation.
As Chair of SCO’s Council of Heads of State, Pakistan always emphasized on strengthening connectivity, improving transport links, empowering the youth and investing in key sectors such as agriculture, mining, minerals, energy and information technology. This approach reflected a pragmatic stance in meeting the urgent needs of the region.
The SCO has emerged as an important platform for promoting cooperation between member countries in the socio-economic, commercial and financial sectors. The Organization’s vision of transport and regional connectivity, as well as regional cooperation in the field of youth empowerment, poverty alleviation, climate change and disaster relief, shows a comprehensive approach to solving regional problems.
It shows the main importance of the collective connection for the creation of an economically joint and united region. The peaceful cooperation of foreign ministers of member countries, including Pakistan and India, during the SCO meeting is an encouraging fact. This shows that the SCO can play a role as a platform for regional cooperation without getting bogged down in bilateral disputes.
Pakistan has a good experience in the fields of industry, trade, tourism and military, examples of which can be observed in various sectors, forums and sections of the world organizations, including the UN. Therefore, the chairmanship of the SCO by the country of Pakistan for 2023-24 was a positive step in the direction of strengthening the stability of the region and joint prosperity among its people.
Tajikistan and Pakistan together would be able to increase their cooperation within the framework of this forum and projects, expand the original path of economic, trade and energy development, create favorable conditions for creating cooperation and development of regional integration, and will use the resources here for the welfare of people’s lives. Thus, both countries, as active members of the SCO, can make an important and effective contribution to promoting peace and stability, economy, trade, industry, and tourism.
SCO member countries can develop their perspective of achieving lasting security and peace with specific elements and models, including cultural promotion, economic development and progress, activation of their accepted effective projects and programs, joint cooperation, connection and getting rid of threats and dangers and joint activities.
The writer is senior researcher and Central and South Asian analyst at Institute of Asian and European Studies Tajikistan
