India's presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) not only provides it with an opportunity to deepen its relations with the Central Asian nations but also promote its economic and security interests. Discuss. (Answer in 150 words)

SCO is an international organisation comprising China, Pakistan, Russia and Central Asian countries like Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan etc. Importance of SCO for India: (1) Engage Central Asia - to economically, important reserve of critical minerals like lithium etc.; strategic - connect with WAITE and keep check on terrorism in Afghanistan. (2) Advocating 'No Terrorism' RATS - allowing talks with Pakistan to put to allow and at same time put to allow foreign soil being used as a forum for terrorism. iii Economic engagement - 3C initiative - Cooperation, connectivity and capacity as new pillars for security, energy defence sectors. iv Multipolarity - Big engagement with Russia & China, India aims for multiple engagements in multipolar world order. v Connectivity with connectivity gaining prime importance - e.g. Chabahar port Iran, INSTC can transform free trade in region. India SCO presidency has marked with SECURE proposal. Further brought two never engagements: (1) Buddhist circuit Connect. (2) Traditional Medicine, AYUSH during 2023-SCO Presidency.