China, which had earlier opposed inclusion of India in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), now seems to have all the reasons to stand further frustrated.
Beijing had pushed Pakistan's entry into the SCO and this had prompted Russia to back India's membership too.
India became a full Member State at the Astana Summit when PM Narendra Modi was already at the helm in 2017. Prior to that New Delhi's association with the SCO began in 2005 as an Observer country. But at the virtual SCO Summit hosted by Modi, India took a very firm stand against China's sort of a dream project the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
India is also unwilling to support the initiative to set up an SCO Development Bank.
In a popular Left-leaning social media platform, blog by Xusheng (Empty Voice) “accused” India of spreading disharmony within the SCO, Beijing is frustrated as India is solely and singularly opposing these ideas.
China hence has welcomed Iran’s entry, saying it can “prevent India from completely destroying the SCO.” In some ways these reflect India's growing stature as an influencing power in the world polity and mounting further international pressure on China.
Hence experts in Beijing have welcomed Iran’s entry, saying it can “prevent" New Delhi from completely destroying the SCO. (sic)
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| Blogger at Great Wall of China |
Beijing has other issues and challenges to be upset from a global perspective. While it had pitched for Pakistan's entry, Russia played its Machiavellian trick in supporting India's candidature in the SCO.
Moscow understandably was wooing New Delhi for strengthening defence ties leading Indian to continuing purchasing Russian weapons, it also could put pressure on Beijing to keep it almost sandwiched between Moscow and New Delhi. Moreover, in November 2017, China was surprised when New Delhi joined the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue gathering at the Philippines in Manila.
This came shortly after the Doklam impasse.
After India declined to be part of BRI resolution during the New Delhi Summit of SCO, 'The Global Times' wrote rather angrily -
"It is illogical for India to refuse to join simply because there are so-called "Chinese catchphrases" in the document, which inevitably brings to mind the prevalent habit among some politicians in Washington in recent years of "opposing China at every opportunity." Now, some Indian politicians and elites always put their eyes on Washington, and the Indian media's focus is also shifting accordingly.
"However, instead of learning the good things, they have adopted the detrimental "opposing China at every opportunity" syndrome, which has already proven to be a mistake. It is probably not a good thing for India."
Coming back to Quad and the growing India-US ties, it is worth mentioning that in 2014 itself Chinese president Xi Jinping had said, “It is for the people of Asia to run the affairs of Asia, solve the problems of Asia and uphold the security of Asia.”- His intent was clear -- the western or the US influence must be minimised in Asia.
Cornering Chine further, another strategic rival Japan too had joined the US, Australia and India “reflecting changing attitudes" towards China’s growing regional influence.
Of course Asian leaders will talk about their own issues from time to time. But what is making Chinese experts believe that Iran can isolate India in the SCO is still a puzzle.
In a meeting with Deputy National Security Advisor Vikram Misri on Tuesday, Amir Abdollahian praised New Delhi’s support for Iran’s full membership in the SCO, which was accepted during the 23rd SCO Council of Heads of State, which was hosted by India, reports 'Tehran Times'.
Iran also has emphasized the relevance of India’s strategic plan to develop a portion of Iran’s Chabahar port, saying there are no restrictions on the development of ties between Tehran and New Delhi.
He reiterated the desire for the Chabahar project and the North-South Corridor to enter a new phase through the cooperation of the two nations. Misri, for his part, hailed Iran’s accession as a full member to the SCO.
Misri continued by saying that he had productive discussions with his Russian and Iranian colleagues on the advancement of the North-South Corridor as well as methods for resolving logistical and administrative issues.
In order to increase commerce with Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asian countries, India has been building a part of Chabahar on Iran’s southeast coast along the Gulf of Oman, says the report in 'Tehran Times'.
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