Trans-Regionalism, Regionalism, and Realism are what Explain India-Pakistan Relations Under the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

Regionalism, along with realism and trans-regionalism, has largely shaped relations between India and Pakistan in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). This paper seek to analyze how the three theoretical perspectives have influenced the interaction between India and Pakistan within the context of the SCO. India and Pakistan joined the SCO as member states from the South Asian region. As a trans-regional organization, the SCO has provided both countries with an opportunity to engage in multilateral diplomacy and discussions. This has enabled both countries to be in a position to deal with common interests and factor areas of interaction apart from the prevalent tension. It has also compelled India and Pakistan to play the regional cards, though they cooperate and compete with each other in the organization to define their regional power in the SCO. Realism, a tradition of inter-state interests and power balance, has played a significant role in the India-Pakistan relationship within the SCO. Both countries have utilized the SCO to further their strategic and security interests, thus showing cooperation along with potential competition.