MAINS Current Affairs includes 2026 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting & Natural and Organic Farming

International

1. 2026 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting

Context: At the 2026 SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Kyrgyzstan, India emphasized unified action against terrorism and cautioned against double standards in counter-terrorism

About Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

Origin & Evolution

• Started as Shanghai Five (1996) → China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan
• Became SCO in 2001 with inclusion of Uzbekistan

Members & Structure

• Members (10): China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran, Belarus + 4 Central Asian states
• India became full member in 2017 and chaired SCO in 2023
• Accounts for ~30% of global GDP and ~40% of world population
• Observer States: Afghanistan, Mongolia
• Official languages: Russian & Chinese

Institutional Structure

• Council of Heads of States (CHS) → highest decision-making body
• Secretariat: Beijing
• Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) → counter-terrorism coordination

Core Objectives

• Combat terrorism, separatism, and extremism
• Promote regional stability and cooperation
• Enhance economic, energy, and connectivity ties in Eurasia

Significance for India

Security Dimension

• Platform to counter terrorism through RATS (intelligence sharing, joint exercises)
• Addresses concerns linked to cross-border terrorism

Strategic Balancing

• Enables India to engage with China & Pakistan in a multilateral setting
• Prevents isolation and counters anti-India narratives

Energy Security

• Access to resource-rich Central Asia (oil, gas, uranium)
• Supports diversification of energy sources

Economic & Connectivity Benefits

• Expands trade and investment opportunities
• Strengthens engagement with Central Asian economies

Central Asia Outreach

• SCO provides direct diplomatic access to Central Asia despite geographical constraints

Key Challenges

• China–Pakistan Axis limits India’s strategic space
• Border tensions with China affect cooperation
• Security-centric focus overshadows economic agenda
• Consensus-based decision-making slows reforms

India’s Strategic Approach

• Promote zero tolerance for terrorism
• Advocate reformed multilateralism
• Strengthen engagement with Central Asia
• Use SCO alongside other platforms (BRICS, QUAD, etc.) for multi-alignment strategy

Conclusion

• SCO is a crucial platform for India to engage Eurasia, enhance security cooperation, and secure energy interests
• Despite constraints, India leverages SCO to advance its vision of regional stability and strategic autonomy
• It complements India’s broader goal of shaping a multipolar world order

Agriculture

2. Natural and Organic Farming

Context: The Prime Minister highlighted Sikkim’s organic farming model as a national inspiration during the 50th Statehood Day celebrations

Sikkim Statehood

• Became India’s 22nd state on 16 May 1975 after a referendum
• Transitioned from monarchy (Chogyal) to democracy
• Special provisions under Article 371F
• Strategic location: borders China (Tibet), Bhutan, and Nepal

What is Organic and Natural Farming?

Organic Farming

• Avoids synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, GMOs
• Relies on crop rotation, compost, bio-fertilizers, green manure
• Regulated under National Programme for Organic Production

Natural Farming

• Chemical-free, input-free farming using local resources
• Based on indigenous cow-based inputs
• Example: Zero Budget Natural Farming
• Key difference:
• Organic farming → allows external organic inputs
• Natural farming → relies only on farm-based inputs

Case Study: Sikkim

• First fully organic state (2016)
• Model of policy-driven transformation
• Linked organic farming with eco-tourism
• Rich biodiversity: ~25% of India’s floral diversity

Government Initiatives

• Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY): Promotes community-based organic farming
• Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP): Encourages chemical-free farming
• Mission Organic Value Chain Development (NER): Focus on North-East exports
• National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA): Umbrella scheme for sustainable practices

Significance

Environmental Benefits

• Improves soil health and biodiversity
• Reduces chemical pollution and greenhouse gas emissions

Economic Benefits

• Lower input costs (especially natural farming)
• Premium prices in domestic and export markets
• Diversified income sources

Health Benefits

• Produces chemical-free, safe food
• Helps address lifestyle diseases and food safety concerns

Challenges

• Initial decline in yields during transition phase
• High certification costs and weak market linkages
• Lack of farmer awareness and training
• Poor storage, processing, and export infrastructure

Way Forward

• Strengthen research and scientific validation
• Improve branding (e.g., “India Organic”)
• Expand digital traceability systems
• Integrate with climate goals and SDGs
• Promote public-private partnerships in value chains

Conclusion

• Organic and natural farming are key to sustainable agriculture, environmental protection, and farmer income growth
• Sikkim’s success shows that policy support + community participation can transform agriculture
• Scaling such models can help India achieve climate-resilient and nutrition-secure farming systems

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