Structure of the Answer:

• Introduction (basic information about shanghaicooperation).
• About Shanghai spirit.
• Why SCO is important for India?
• Way forward.
• Conclusion.

Key points:

• The “Shanghai spirit” is about mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for cultural diversity and pursuit of common development among the SCO members.
• The SCO is important for India in several ways.
• As the second largest and rising Asian power, India has a natural interest in any grouping in its neigbourhood.
• The declaration issued at the end of the Qingdao summit exposes the limits of the organisation and India’s expectations from it.
• The main objectives of the SCO are to
• Strengthen relations among member states.
• Promote cooperation in political affairs, economics and trade, scientific-technical, cultural, and educational spheres as well as in energy, transportation, tourism, and environmental protection.
• Safeguard regional peace.