Afghanistan Today: Opportunities and Challenges of Rejoining SCO
DID Press: Afghanistan’s potential participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) could enhance the Taliban’s political legitimacy and improve relations with member states and the international community. It also offers an opportunity to engage in regional projects and secure vital diplomatic and economic support.
In recent years, Afghanistan has faced profound political changes alongside widespread economic and security challenges. The Taliban are now seeking to restore Afghanistan’s presence in the SCO and regain observer status at upcoming meetings. Recently, Mawlavi Gul Hasan Hasan, the Taliban’s ambassador in Moscow, met with Bakhtiyar Hakimov, Russia’s special representative to the SCO, to discuss Afghanistan’s participation in future summits. This move signals Kabul’s intent to rebuild regional relations and reintegrate into Central Asia’s economic and political frameworks.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization, comprising Central Asian countries, China, Russia, and some South Asian nations, is a key platform for regional economic and security coordination. Afghanistan’s participation—even as an observer—offers direct engagement with influential members, involvement in joint projects, and access to regional economic networks that can support economic development and domestic stability.
Opportunities for Afghanistan’s Observer Status
Restoring observer status offers several important benefits:
Economic Engagement: Observer membership facilitates investment and participation in joint economic projects. Given Afghanistan’s urgent need for infrastructure, energy, and agricultural development, collaboration with SCO members could alleviate domestic economic pressures and create job opportunities for youth.
Security Cooperation: Membership allows Afghanistan to engage in regional security discussions. Facing threats from insurgent groups and internal crises in recent years, Afghanistan could benefit from intelligence sharing and cross-border cooperation through the SCO. Russia, as a key member, plays a significant role in facilitating dialogue and reducing obstacles to Afghanistan’s observer status.
Political Legitimacy: SCO membership could strengthen the Taliban’s political legitimacy and improve relationships with other member states and the wider international community. Participation in regional initiatives and securing diplomatic and economic support is crucial for Afghanistan’s development.
Challenges Ahead
Despite these opportunities, several challenges remain:
Human Rights and Governance Concerns: SCO member states may be concerned about human rights and political issues within Afghanistan, particularly regarding minority protections and international standards, which could slow the reintegration process.
Economic and Political Instability: Afghanistan continues to face financial crises, an underdeveloped banking system, and insufficient infrastructure, which may hinder participation in regional projects.
Geopolitical Tensions and Internal Security: Conflicting interests among major SCO members, such as China and Russia, may affect Afghanistan’s autonomy in decision-making. Additionally, domestic security threats and insurgent activities could limit the engagement of other members.
Reestablishing Afghanistan’s observer status in the SCO presents both an opportunity to enhance the country’s economic and political position and a test for Taliban foreign policy. Success will require constructive engagement with SCO members, concrete assurances in security and economic sectors, and effective management of internal and external challenges.
If these efforts succeed, Afghanistan could play an active role in regional affairs and contribute meaningfully to economic development and stability in Central Asia.
Ultimately, restoring observer status symbolizes the Taliban’s strong desire to rebuild international and regional relations and offers a platform to showcase the country’s economic and political capacities—provided that practical and sustainable engagement with SCO members is maintained.
By Ehsanullah Ghori – DID Press Agency