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Iranwire – Iran gained full membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), as the Eurasian security and political grouping led by China and Russia seeks to expand its reach and counter Western influence in the region.
“The member states stressed the historical significance of the admission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the SCO as a full Member State,” said the New Delhi Declaration issued on July 4 at the end of an online summit hosted by India.
Iran became the ninth member of the SCO, joining China, Russia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
The move comes as Tehran has intensified its diplomacy with friends and foes alike in recent months, seeking to reduce its isolation, improve its economy and project strength.
The Islamic Republic is also hoping to be quickly accepted into the BRICS, another grouping that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
In their New Delhi Declaration, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, China’s President Xi Jinping, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan said the grouping is not directed against any other states and is open to broad cooperation with all.
They said the SCO opposes the resolution of international and regional issues through “collectivisation, ideology and confrontational thinking.”
During the summit, Belarus signed a memorandum of obligations which will lead to its membership later.
Mongolia and Afghanistan have received observer status, but the future of that country’s membership in the SCO remains uncertain as no country has officially recognized the Taliban-led government.
