摘要
The security scenario in West Asia is seamlessly connected;however,it impinges upon the interests of Eurasian countries that make up the Shanghai Cooperation Organization(SCO).All SCO members are concerned about the three evils of‘terrorism,extremism and separatism’since transnational jihadi groups,such as Al Qaeda and ISIS,anchored in West Asia,get many recruits from SCO members and in turn threaten them with radicalization and violence.SCO also has concerns about the deteriorating ties between major West Asian countries,particularly Iran’s confrontation with Saudi Arabia:the two countries are engaged in proxy wars in Syria and Yemen and have shaped these conflicts in sectarian terms.With the withdrawal of the US from the Iran nuclear agreement,battle-lines have now been drawn between the US,Israel and Saudi Arabia on one side and Iran,Syria,Iraq and,possibly,Russia on the other.Given the importance of the connectivity projects that envisage a central place to West Asia and the significance of ties with the West Asian nations for all SCO members,the article will recommend that India shape and pursue a diplomatic initiative to bring the SCO closer to the GCC members,initially,as dialogue partners and perhaps observers,and later even as full members.
