Russia: Duma speaker calls for India's full membership in SCO
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 27 February 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russia: Duma speaker calls for India's full membership in SCO, 27 February 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5509414215.html [accessed 30 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
February 27, 2015
The speaker of Russia's State Duma says the Kremlin wants India to become a full-fledged member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) this year.
Sergei Naryshkin said on February 27 in New Delhi that Russia "will take all necessary steps to secure a positive decision on India's application for full-fledged cooperation" at the net SCO summit which will be held this July in Ufa, the capital of Russia's Republic of Bashkortostan.
Naryshkin, who is India with a two-day official visit, also said that India is "already playing a proactive role in the work of the SCO as an observer."
The SCO was created in 1996 as Shanghai Five to foster confidence along the borders between China and four former Soviet states – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan.
It changed its name in 2001 after Uzbekistan joined.
Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Mongolia, and India are observers in the group, while dialogue partners are Turkey, Belarus, and Sri Lanka.
Based on reporting by TASS and Interfax
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
