摘要：This paper endeavours to make an enquiry and analyse the effects ofexpansion of SCO on the region. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization(SCO) is an emerging regional security organization consisting on China,Russia, and four central Asian states. The organization was officiallyestablished in 2001 with an objective of cooperation in regional security andfighting terrorism. Incognito objective of SCO was to counter increasing USinfluence in the region in post 9/11 scenario. Presence of NATO forces inChinese and Russian backyard was detested by both regional powers thusstimulating swift formation of SCO. Pakistan and India being two importantregional players could not remain oblivious of this significant development andapplied for its membership in 2006 and 2014 respectively. The decade longdeliberations culminated into receiving Pakistan and India as full timemembers during 15thSCO summit held at Ufa (Russia) on 10 July2015.Admittance of the two nuclear armed states having large populations,improved economies and large standing armies added new dimensions inSCO’s framework. By virtue of this long awaited expansion, Pakistan hasrenewed prospects to contribute in regional peace and stability by integratingwith SCO member states economically and militarily. Moreover, under theSCO flagship, Pakistan can improve its relations with majority of itsneighbours being members of SCO. The enduring geo-economic and geopoliticalinterdependencies will diminish chances of multilateral conflicts thusprospects of lasting peace and prosperity have immensely increased.
