UPSC Mains 2023 GS2 Q9: model answer
‘Virus of Conflict is affecting the functioning of the SCO’ In the light of the above statement point out the role of India in mitigating the problems.
What the question wants
Conflicts inside the SCO and India's role in easing them.
How to structure it
Intro: SCO (2001), India member since 2017; India chaired in 2023. Body: (1) Conflicts: India-China border, India-Pakistan terrorism, Russia-Ukraine and Russia-West, Central Asian border clashes (Kyrgyz-Tajik), Afghanistan, Iran tensions; (2) India's role: bridging role, SECURE theme, focus on terrorism via RATS, connectivity respecting sovereignty, Afghanistan, digital public infrastructure, millets, startup forum, opposing BRI on sovereignty. Conclusion: dialogue-based, consensus-building role.
- 1(1) Conflicts: India-China border, India-Pakistan terrorism, Russia-Ukraine and Russia-West, Central Asian border clashes (Kyrgyz-Tajik), Afghanistan, Iran tensions
- 2(2) India's role: bridging role, SECURE theme, focus on terrorism via RATS, connectivity respecting sovereignty, Afghanistan, digital public infrastructure, millets, startup forum, opposing BRI on sovereignty
Model answer
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (2001) aims at regional security and cooperation. India became a full member in 2017 and chaired it in 2023 under the theme 'Towards a SECURE SCO'.
The 'virus of conflict'
- India-China border standoff since 2020.
- India-Pakistan tension over cross-border terrorism.
- Russia-Ukraine war and Russia-West rivalry.
- Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan border clashes (2021, 2022).
- Instability in Afghanistan.
India's role in mitigating them
- Bridge-builder: India has ties with Russia and the West, Iran and the Gulf; it stresses dialogue and diplomacy.
- Terrorism: pushes the SCO and its Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) to act against terror financing and safe havens.
- Connectivity with sovereignty: supports Chabahar and the INSTC while opposing projects that violate territorial integrity.
- Afghanistan: humanitarian aid and an inclusive government.
- Positive agenda: startups, digital public infrastructure, traditional medicine, millets.
By focusing on shared interests, India can help the SCO work despite the conflicts within it.
Keywords, cases and data to drop in
SCO 2001 SECURE SCO RATS Chabahar INSTC
Where most answers lose marks
- Only listing conflicts.
- No role for India.
Fresh examples from current affairs
SCO Heads of Government meet in Dushanbe on 19–20 October: Rajnath Singh to represent India
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will represent India at the 25th meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on 19–20 October 2026. This is the SCO’s second-highest body, and it looks after trade, economy, connectivity and the Organisation’s budget. The last CHG met in Moscow on 18 November 2025, where External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke for India.
UPSC angle: Prelims: SCO members, bodies (CHS, CHG, RATS), founding year, CHG venue. · Mains GS-II: India and regional groupings, Central Asia.
18 Oct 2026
First ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum opens at MP-IDSA
On 14 October 2026 Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh opened the first ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum at MP-IDSA in New Delhi. The two-day meeting brings India and all 11 ASEAN members together on maritime security, emerging tech and defence-industry ties, under the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation.
UPSC angle: Prelims: ASEAN (11 members), MP-IDSA, ADMM-Plus, SAGAR/MAHASAGAR. · Mains GS-II: India–ASEAN defence engagement and Indo-Pacific.
14 Oct 2026
First BIMSTEC Home Ministers Meeting adopts Delhi Declaration on security
India hosted the first BIMSTEC Home Ministers Meeting in New Delhi on 13 October 2026. The seven member States adopted the Delhi Declaration, condemning terrorism including cross-border terrorism, and called for full use of the BIMSTEC anti-terror and mutual legal assistance conventions. A Disaster Management Centre is planned in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
UPSC angle: Prelims: members, HMM, conventions and dates, Jamnagar centre. · Mains GS-II: regional groupings; India's neighbourhood and security cooperation.
13 Oct 2026
ASEAN–India Trade in Goods Agreement review: 15th Joint Committee meets in Jakarta
The 15th Joint Committee reviewing the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement met in Jakarta from 6 to 9 October 2026, co-chaired by India and Malaysia. It told all sub-committees to speed up pending chapters with firm, time-bound deliverables. Three of eight sub-committees met, including rules of origin. The next meeting is in India in January 2027.
UPSC angle: Prelims: ASEAN members, AITIGA. · Mains GS-II: regional groupings; GS-III: trade policy.
9 Oct 2026Learn the concept
Question text as printed in the official UPSC question paper: https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/QP-CSM-23-GENERAL-STUDIES-PAPER-II-180923.pdf The model answer is original Battle IAS work; use it to learn structure, not to memorise.