Takeaways from SCO
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping not only displayed camaraderie at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit 2025 in Tianjin, exchanging handshakes and hugs. Modi shared pictures of the interactions on X, emphasising the importance of exchanging perspectives, but also 3 billion people’s aspirations are held by three persons. However, the Tianjin meet will be remembered for the fact that the SCO’s Tianjin Declaration, for the first time, spoke in one voice against a terror strike that claimed 26 of innocent lives in Kashmir’s Pahalgam valley. Side by side it also denounces attacks in Pakistan’s Khuzdar and on the Jaffar Express earlier this year. The statement reaffirmed that “double standards in the fight against terrorism are unacceptable” and stressed the need for collective global action (those who planned, financed and sheltered the terrorists must be brought to justice) under the UN framework. The declaration also had an economic thrust — announcing the establishment of a long-discussed SCO development bank, adopting a roadmap on sustainable energy, and unveiling new mechanisms on digital economy, e-commerce and artificial intelligence.
Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee, Faridabad
Dragon-elephant dance
The two-day SCO’s summit at Tianjin, China, concluded offering a glimpse into a more multilateral world; where sovereign nations can come together as equals, breaking away from the West-led, euro-centric model that has prevailed since the end of World War II. The West may regard the SCO as a distant regional security organisation without great influence, but Washington’s disorder and the chaos in global trade spread by President Donald Trump’s tariff tantrums led to the SCO meeting facilitating a major geopolitical shift. The troika of leaders of China, India and Russia were in focus. However, its outreach to Beijing should be tactical and informed by the differences and convergences with China. There is much that can be gained from cooperation, especially in the present geopolitical circumstances. Chinese investments can ease the impact of high US tariffs. But both countries have a long-standing border dispute with China having a big trade surplus with India. There could be conflict of interest involving the two ambitious powers in many areas and in China’s friendship with Pakistan. India should therefore be on its guard. Its engagement with China must be guided by optimism marked with caution.
Gregory Fernandes, Mumbai
Lessons not learnt
The unprecedented devastation due to floods in Himachal and downstream in Punjab and Haryana sends across just one message. Leave the rivers alone, stay way away from them. Don’t build anywhere close to them, on their banks, the catchment area or their floodplains; a lesson that Indians refuse to learn. When Srinagar flooded some years back, it was the same story. When there are floods in UP and Bihar, it is the same story. When there are floods in Assam and North East, the cause is similar. Water is a life giving element nurturing civilisations through history but is also the most destructive force of nature. Similar are the results when we level mountains and cut down forests to build highways all in the name of increasing connectivity, progress and development. The recent landslides in Vaishnodevi, Pithoragarh, Chamoli, Kedarnath, Uttarkashi and elsewhere are proof enough. Tinker with nature at your own peril, but we do seem to have a collective death wish. Learn we shall not.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
On power inverter usage
Warning of strict action, Power Minister Ramkrishna ‘Sudin’ Dhavalikar has reportedly urged people across the state to register their inverters and generators with the electricity department while those planning new installations must seek prior permission. It is learnt that the department will take strict action against violators which may include power disconnection. It is a fact that back fed electricity from an improperly installed inverter or generator can cause fatal electrocution of innocent staffers of the Electricity Department. Back-fed electricity from a generator/inverter is when power flows back onto the main utility lines, which can happen if the device is connected improperly without a transfer switch. This is a dangerous condition that can energise lines to unexpected places, pose a risk of shock to utility workers, and even damage the generator itself. Hence a transfer switch or generator interlock kit is essential for safe installation. A transfer switch physically disconnects the building from the utility grid when the generator is running, preventing any back feed. The transfer switch breaks the path of electricity between the power lines and the main electrical panel. Incidentally a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) is used to provide immediate, temporary backup power and protect electronic equipment. Even if the inverters/generators are registered now, how the department will take corrective measures to prevent backfeed is the big question. Will all the registered inverters/generators be checked for correct installation?
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
