2021 · GS Paper 2 · Q19 · 15 marks
Critically examine the aims and objectives of SCO. What importance does it hold for India?
In short
The SCO's aims of fighting terrorism, building trust and promoting cooperation are sound, but consensus paralysis, China's dominance and member rivalries have kept delivery partial. For India it remains vital for Central Asian access, RATS counter-terror intelligence and strategic autonomy.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 296 words
Security
The Tashkent-based Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) pools intelligence, and Peace Mission exercises train forces jointly.
Trust and cooperation
Rooted in Shanghai Five border confidence-building, it now pursues trade and connectivity under the Development Strategy 2026-2035 approved at Tianjin in 2025.
Consensus paralysis
The June 2025 Qingdao defence ministers' meeting ended without a joint statement over Pahalgam.
Uneven power
China's weight and the BRI's CPEC, which disregards Indian sovereignty, tilt the agenda.
Connect Central Asia
The SCO is India's multilateral door to Central Asian energy, backed by Chabahar and the INSTC.
Counter-terrorism
RATS gives shared intelligence on terror networks in the Af-Pak region; India chaired its Council in 2021-22.
Strategic autonomy
Membership balances the Quad and keeps channels to China and Pakistan open, as at Tianjin in 2025.
SECURE agenda
India should press its 2018 SECURE vision and a common definition of terrorism.
People-centred cooperation
Build on its 2023 start-up and traditional medicine initiatives.
This model answer is indicative and the model can make mistakes; please verify key facts independently.
Practise this question
1Get the answer sheet
Sized for this question.
2Write your answer
Timed, by hand.
3Get it marked
Your score and what to fix.
This chapter in the exam
Regional12 questions
Asked in 10 of 14 sittings since 2013
- 2026“IPMDA (Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness) bridges the gap between India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision and the Quad’s collective Indo-Pacific strategy.” Make a critical assessment of the statement focusing on IPMDA.
- 2025"Energy security constitutes the dominant kingpin of India's foreign policy, and is linked with India's overarching influence in Middle Eastern countries." How would you integrate energy security with India's foreign policy trajectories in the coming years?
All 12 questions, sorted by sub-topic, with model answers and practice.
Question from the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2021 paper. Answer written by Ghissu's engine and checked against our editorial standards. Found an error? Tell us and we correct it within 48 hours.