Shanghai Cooperation Organization Strengthens Despite Armenia-Azerbaijan Dispute

Kokcha News Agency – The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has continued to strengthen despite the ongoing dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan, with China leveraging the situation to advance its vision of a multipolar world. The SCO, which includes major powers like China, Russia, and India, has seen increased cooperation and strategic alignment among its members, even as regional conflicts persist.

Recent developments highlight the complex geopolitical dynamics within the SCO. India has blocked Azerbaijan’s entry into the organization, which Baku links to Pakistan’s support. In response, Pakistan has reportedly blocked Armenia’s similar request, leading to a diplomatic balancing act.

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev openly congratulated Pakistan on its “victory over India,” emphasizing the strategic brotherhood between Baku and Islamabad, which he considers more important than India’s attempts to retaliate against Azerbaijan on the international stage.

The SCO’s consensus mechanism allows member states to engage in a “you scratch my back, I scratch yours” approach, enabling them to navigate regional disputes while focusing on broader geopolitical goals. This has allowed the organization to maintain its momentum toward a multipolar world, despite internal disagreements.

China, under President Xi Jinping, has been a driving force behind the SCO’s push for a more balanced global order. Xi has called for expanded cooperation, leveraging the unique advantages of each member state to ensure regional peace, stability, and prosperity. The SCO is increasingly seen as a counterbalance to U.S. influence, particularly in the wake of Washington’s trade policies that have negatively impacted many countries.

Meanwhile, the U.S. has been pressuring European countries to impose additional tariffs on Chinese and Indian goods, further complicating global trade dynamics. Despite these challenges, the SCO and other global South initiatives are gaining traction, with collective efforts to reform the World Trade Organization and promote a more equitable international system