Hindi English Translation || Editorial || ​Unmistakable shift: On SCO Summit and Indian foreign policy

​Unmistakable shift: On SCO Summit and Indian foreign policy

India signalled a change in foreign policy stance at the SCO Summit

More than the outcomes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to visit China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit was a clear message from the government on a shift in its foreign policy outlook (दृष्टिकोण, परिदृश्य). It has been seven years since Mr. Modi had travelled to China, and his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping was their first such bilateral engagement since the military standoff (गतिरोध) of 2020. It has been three years since Mr. Modi attended the SCO summit, a Eurasian grouping seen as decidedly anti-western. Meanwhile, photographs of the bonhomie (सौहार्द, खुशमिज़ाजी) between Mr. Modi, Mr. Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin evoked memories of an inactive (निष्क्रिय) Russia-India-China (RIC) trilateral. The bilateral meeting with China saw the two leaders give their approval to the normalisation (सामान्यीकरण) process initiated in October 2024, leading from troop disengagement (The act of withdrawing or detaching from involvement) along the LAC. The two sides agreed to fast-track the boundary resolution process being discussed by their Special Representatives. They also gave the green light for the resumption (पुनःआरंभ) of direct flights, visa facilitation, and the building of economic ties to “stabilize world trade”. As Mr. Modi committed to “taking forward ties ...based on mutual trust, respect and sensitivity”, Mr. Xi called for the “Dragon (China) and the Elephant (India) to come together”. Such bonhomie was unthinkable even a year ago, and it is clear that it has been driven, in some measure, by the U.S. moves to impose tariffs and sanctions on India, and New Delhi’s sense of mistrust about the Trump administration’s intentions. This allowed Mr. Modi and his delegation (प्रतिनिधिमंडल), for the moment, to side-step some of the concerns India has had over China’s actions, including its support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, the blocking of Indian moves on UNSC reforms and NSG membership, and holds on designating Pakistan-based terrorists.

It was significant that the Tianjin declaration included strong language against the “cross-border movement of terrorists”, albeit condemning (निंदा करना) the Pahalgam attack and attacks in Balochistan against Pakistani forces, in equal measure. The declaration also saw the entire SCO membership find common ground on contentious (Likely to cause arguments or disagreements) issues such as the humanitarian (मानवीय, मानवता-संबंधी) crisis in Gaza, and condemnation of U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, although India maintained its opposition to the paragraph supporting China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Mr. Xi’s plans for an SCO Development Bank, and Mr. Modi’s suggestion of initiating a “Civilisational Dialogue” between SCO members found mention. While the outcomes and the optics made for what Mr. Modi described as a “productive” visit to China, his itinerary (यात्रा कार्यक्रम) missed some opportunities for closer engagement with leaders from India’s neighbourhood and the Global South, as he skipped the “SCO Plus” Summit.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Important Word List With Meaning

1.Outlook (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - दृष्टिकोण, परिदृश्य
English Meaning - A person's way of thinking or perspective about something.

2.Standoff (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - गतिरोध
English Meaning - A situation in which neither side can make progress or win.

3.Bonhomie (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - सौहार्द, खुशमिज़ाजी
English Meaning - Friendly and cheerful behavior.

4.Inactive (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - निष्क्रिय
English Meaning - Not active; not engaging in much physical or mental activity.

5.Normalisation (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - सामान्यीकरण
English Meaning - The process of bringing something back to a normal or regular state.

6.Resumption (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - पुनःआरंभ
English Meaning - The action of starting something again after a pause.

7.Delegation (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - प्रतिनिधिमंडल
English Meaning - A group of people chosen to represent others, especially in meetings or conferences.

8.Condemn (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - निंदा करना
English Meaning - To criticize strongly; to express disapproval.

9.Humanitarian (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - मानवीय, मानवता-संबंधी
English Meaning - Concerned with human welfare and helping people in need.

10.Itinerary (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - यात्रा कार्यक्रम
English Meaning - A planned route or journey schedule.

11.Contentious (Adjective)

English Meaning - Likely to cause arguments or disagreements.

12.Disengagement (Noun)

English Meaning - The act of withdrawing or detaching from involvement.