SCO promises hope
Rizwan Ghani
The Heads of Government moot of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) offers an opportunity to change countrys foreign policy of last 50 years. If Islamabad plays its cards wisely, it can win its independence from the West despite all the skepticism. The best part of policy shift is that there are no political, economic, religious and military strings attached. Pakistan should make its case for permanent membership and the issue will be settled in due course of time. The visit of Chinas FM, special interest shown by Russia and seriousness in Islamabad is a positive start.
SCO offers Islamabad to control India policy in the region. The current US brokered anti-Pak, Pak-Afghan Trade Agreement is based on quid-pro-quo. It is based on the narrative that give India access to CARS, protect Wests control on energy corridors of the region, or be ready to face anti-Pakistan US-Afghan, US-India and NATO alliances including balkanization and pushing the country and the region into perpetual war. In contrast, the linking of India through China to CARS protects Pakistans national interests, resolves Kashmir issue under UN resolutions and removes Afghan factor from the equation. It is according to the political manifestoes of most political parties of India to co-exist peacefully with its neighbors and preserve peace in the region. The furthering of Sino-India ties will allow Beijing more access to 1.25bn people market and help overcome energy shortages. Since the arrangement will be self-preserving due to common interests of both countries. It will allow India to cut its military budget by 90 percent and help promote durable peace in the region.
Putin is Beijings man in SCO. A stable, prosperous Russia is good for China, reads a headline in Peoples Daily (May 7). Putin has challenged Americas Missile Defense System in Europe (Poland) and its radar systems in Turkey as a strategic threat after Washington refused to give written guarantee of its use against Russia. He wants acceptance of the Caucasus status quo following the Russian-backed secession of Georgian territories in 2008 and a fruitful Russian membership of the WTO. Putin wants an end to US criticism of Russias managed democracy and civil rights deficit. Beijing supports Russia under its non-interference policy in internal affairs of sovereign states. The alliance is further strengthened due to Obamas China centric Asia-Pacific policy, including hostile South China Sea policy and anti-China trade polices back home.
Iran, Syria and the SCO. Kremlin wants to end Iran issue. It does not want war along its southern, central Asian flank for political and economic stability. Israel has shifted its position from taking unilateral action to America should attack Iran. In all probability, progress on Iran and North Korea would go simultaneously. Both Beijing and Moscow want end of American naval presence in Iranian and Indian waters as early as possible. Polls and analysis show that any adventurism against Iran would further isolate US and Israel and anti-Iran ME could rally behind Iran. It could start nuclear race in the region. Japan is already planning to return to use of civil nuclear program. On Syria a US-Russia compromise is already in hand in which Assad is headed to be replaced in a very American coup while the pro-Russia system remains intact to protect its strategic national interests including naval bases and commerce (Syria: why Russia changed tack, May 28, the Guardian).
Energy corridors and SCO. Beijing has developed an extensive energy network linking the country with Turkmenistan, Myanmar, Russia and Qatar through 7 pipelines and 11 LNG terminals (China gas reforms boom, May 11, Arab News). Europe is already linked with Russia, China and CARS. Any breakthrough on Iran between US and Russia will allow Tehran to link with China through Pakistan. SCO can be used to work on the two pronged option of linking Turkmenistan gas pipeline to India and Pakistan through China. The new energy corridor will allow Islamabad to have multiple advantages including developing northern areas and Gwadar as economic hubs, reduce dependence on Karachi and Baluchistan, and create more jobs. The opening of energy corridor in north will reduce pressure on Iran-Pak gas pipeline and allow India to link with China directly. SCO can help link oil rich Gulf States with Asia through Pakistan by carefully working for these cheaper, shorter and safer energy corridors. Public will support these corridors because of its direct stake in availability of energy, trade and revenue.
SCO and Monroe doctrine. In 1823, America stated that further efforts by European nations to colonize land or interfere with states in North or South America would be viewed as acts of aggression requiring U.S. intervention. The Doctrine noted that the United States would neither interfere with existing European colonies nor meddle in the internal concerns of European countries. The American presidents from Monroe down to Ronald Regan respected the doctrine. Under the doctrine, the New World and the Old World were to remain distinctly separate spheres of influence, for they were composed of entirely separate and independent nations. Washington should respect the efforts of young nations to serve their people from the platform of SCO constituting almost 67 percent of world population with 80 percent living $2 a day. It should withdraw its forces from Afghanistan and allow the country to take control of its destination with moral support of the region (Monroe Doctrine, Wikipedia).
SCO and religions. China supports the philosophy of Confucius with emphasis on personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice, and sincerity. To its adherents, Hinduism is more of traditional way of life than religion. The characteristic of comprehensive tolerance to differences in belief, and Hinduisms openness, makes it difficult to define it as a religion according to traditional Western conceptions . Justice, tolerance and morality are very much part of Islam. These common factors can allow peaceful coexistence of all religions and ways of life in the region in contrast to Americas fake terror war, drone attacks and extra judicial killings. SCO can help transparency and justice to improve social relationship between state and individuals and give permanent jobs, which democracies and capitalist economies have failed to do. Finally, SCO can allow Islamabad to have alternate options to protect its national self-interests and still support other members to pursue their interests legitimately. Beijings policy of non-interference, Putins guarantee of deterrence, and prospects of jobs promise hope for the region.
SCO promises hope
Rizwan Ghani
The Heads of Government moot of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) offers an opportunity to change countrys foreign policy of last 50 years. If Islamabad plays its cards wisely, it can win its independence from the West despite all the skepticism. The best part of policy shift is that there are no political, economic, religious and military strings attached. Pakistan should make its case for permanent membership and the issue will be settled in due course of time. The visit of Chinas FM, special interest shown by Russia and seriousness in Islamabad is a positive start.
SCO offers Islamabad to control India policy in the region. The current US brokered anti-Pak, Pak-Afghan Trade Agreement is based on quid-pro-quo. It is based on the narrative that give India access to CARS, protect Wests control on energy corridors of the region, or be ready to face anti-Pakistan US-Afghan, US-India and NATO alliances including balkanization and pushing the country and the region into perpetual war. In contrast, the linking of India through China to CARS protects Pakistans national interests, resolves Kashmir issue under UN resolutions and removes Afghan factor from the equation. It is according to the political manifestoes of most political parties of India to co-exist peacefully with its neighbors and preserve peace in the region. The furthering of Sino-India ties will allow Beijing more access to 1.25bn people market and help overcome energy shortages. Since the arrangement will be self-preserving due to common interests of both countries. It will allow India to cut its military budget by 90 percent and help promote durable peace in the region.
Putin is Beijings man in SCO. A stable, prosperous Russia is good for China, reads a headline in Peoples Daily (May 7). Putin has challenged Americas Missile Defense System in Europe (Poland) and its radar systems in Turkey as a strategic threat after Washington refused to give written guarantee of its use against Russia. He wants acceptance of the Caucasus status quo following the Russian-backed secession of Georgian territories in 2008 and a fruitful Russian membership of the WTO. Putin wants an end to US criticism of Russias managed democracy and civil rights deficit. Beijing supports Russia under its non-interference policy in internal affairs of sovereign states. The alliance is further strengthened due to Obamas China centric Asia-Pacific policy, including hostile South China Sea policy and anti-China trade polices back home.
Iran, Syria and the SCO. Kremlin wants to end Iran issue. It does not want war along its southern, central Asian flank for political and economic stability. Israel has shifted its position from taking unilateral action to America should attack Iran. In all probability, progress on Iran and North Korea would go simultaneously. Both Beijing and Moscow want end of American naval presence in Iranian and Indian waters as early as possible. Polls and analysis show that any adventurism against Iran would further isolate US and Israel and anti-Iran ME could rally behind Iran. It could start nuclear race in the region. Japan is already planning to return to use of civil nuclear program. On Syria a US-Russia compromise is already in hand in which Assad is headed to be replaced in a very American coup while the pro-Russia system remains intact to protect its strategic national interests including naval bases and commerce (Syria: why Russia changed tack, May 28, the Guardian).
Energy corridors and SCO. Beijing has developed an extensive energy network linking the country with Turkmenistan, Myanmar, Russia and Qatar through 7 pipelines and 11 LNG terminals (China gas reforms boom, May 11, Arab News). Europe is already linked with Russia, China and CARS. Any breakthrough on Iran between US and Russia will allow Tehran to link with China through Pakistan. SCO can be used to work on the two pronged option of linking Turkmenistan gas pipeline to India and Pakistan through China. The new energy corridor will allow Islamabad to have multiple advantages including developing northern areas and Gwadar as economic hubs, reduce dependence on Karachi and Baluchistan, and create more jobs. The opening of energy corridor in north will reduce pressure on Iran-Pak gas pipeline and allow India to link with China directly. SCO can help link oil rich Gulf States with Asia through Pakistan by carefully working for these cheaper, shorter and safer energy corridors. Public will support these corridors because of its direct stake in availability of energy, trade and revenue.
SCO and Monroe doctrine. In 1823, America stated that further efforts by European nations to colonize land or interfere with states in North or South America would be viewed as acts of aggression requiring U.S. intervention. The Doctrine noted that the United States would neither interfere with existing European colonies nor meddle in the internal concerns of European countries. The American presidents from Monroe down to Ronald Regan respected the doctrine. Under the doctrine, the New World and the Old World were to remain distinctly separate spheres of influence, for they were composed of entirely separate and independent nations. Washington should respect the efforts of young nations to serve their people from the platform of SCO constituting almost 67 percent of world population with 80 percent living $2 a day. It should withdraw its forces from Afghanistan and allow the country to take control of its destination with moral support of the region (Monroe Doctrine, Wikipedia).
SCO and religions. China supports the philosophy of Confucius with emphasis on personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice, and sincerity. To its adherents, Hinduism is more of traditional way of life than religion. The characteristic of comprehensive tolerance to differences in belief, and Hinduisms openness, makes it difficult to define it as a religion according to traditional Western conceptions . Justice, tolerance and morality are very much part of Islam. These common factors can allow peaceful coexistence of all religions and ways of life in the region in contrast to Americas fake terror war, drone attacks and extra judicial killings. SCO can help transparency and justice to improve social relationship between state and individuals and give permanent jobs, which democracies and capitalist economies have failed to do. Finally, SCO can allow Islamabad to have alternate options to protect its national self-interests and still support other members to pursue their interests legitimately. Beijings policy of non-interference, Putins guarantee of deterrence, and prospects of jobs promise hope for the region.
SCO promises hope
