Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - News & Discussion

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 10 Sep 2014 21:09

Ambassador: India Ready to Join SCO After Member States Agree on Entry Procedure

MOSCOW, September 4 (RIA Novosti) – India will be ready to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as a full member after the heads of member states agree on all the necessary procedures for its accession, Indian Ambassador to Russia Pundi Srinivasan Raghavan told RIA Novosti on Thursday.

“India has been associated with the SCO as an observer since 2005 and we have stated that we would be willing to play a larger role in the organization as a full member. The SCO heads of states are meeting in September and we are hopeful that the organization will reach a consensus on its expansion process and procedures,” Rashaan said.

According to the ambassador, despite India’s interest to join SCO, the heads of its member states have not agreed on the criteria for the potential entrants, their responsibilities and the procedure of entry itself.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization was founded in 2001 by the leaders of Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Its observer states include Afghanistan, India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 10 Sep 2014 21:13

SCO may take decision on India, Pakistan membership in 2015

MOSCOW, September 10. /ITAR-TASS/. Package of about ten documents that will be signed at the end of a summit meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, September 11-12 will include a document on the prospects for giving full-fledged membership of the organization to India and Pakistan, a high-rank Kremlin aide said Wednesday.

“By Wednesday morning, a package of ten final documents had been coordinated,” said Yuri Ushakov, the Russian President’s aide.

The package includes the papers regulating adoption of new members. “This means a real prospect is opening for well-specified decisions on granting membership to a number of countries - primarily to India and Pakistan - and on their practical inclusion in our organization’s work,” Ushakov said.

He recalled applications for full membership had been filed by India, Pakistan and Iran but the issue of Iran’s membership would obviously be put off in the wake of UN sanctions still in effect against that country.

Among other documents to be signed in Dushanbe, Ushakov singled out the final declaration, a decision to draft of project of the SCO strategy development through to 2025 and a resolution on celebrations time for VE-Day in 2015.

“SCO leaders are going to have a number of state functions in Moscow in May 2015, including celebrations of VE-Day where a number of heads of state and government have already been invited and quite naturally, leaders of SCO countries,” he said.

The Dushanbe summit will begin with a narrow-format meeting where the presidents will look at the problems of collaboration in security, improvements in the organization’s activity and the general state of things in the region and in the world at large.

They will then be joined by their delegations in full force and by the heads of delegations of observer-nations - Afghanistan, India, Iran, Mongolia, and Pakistan.

Presidents of Turkmenistan and the heads of several international organizations have been invited to the summit as guests.

Russia will take over the rotating presidency of the SCO at the end of the summit.

Yuri Ushakov also said Putin was going to hold a range of bilateral meetings in Dushanbe September 11 and September 12. Specifically, he will meet with his opposite numbers from Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Iran.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization includes Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.

Afghanistan, India, Iran, Mongolia, and Pakistan have the status of observers while Belarus, Turkey and Sri Lanka have the status of dialogue partners.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 11 Sep 2014 03:37

As I said before, it is premature to talk of SCO entry (as some newspapers reported as though China has already given sanction and it was imminent). China will wait and watch before taking action. It might have agreed to in principle because it does want India on its side, as we all know.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 11 Sep 2014 08:31

Peace and prosperity through security and stability - Sargey Lavrov, The Hindu

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, to be held in Dushanbe on September 11 and 12, will be attended by the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, heads and senior representatives of observer states, international organisations and other guests.

The SCO has become an influential organisation and an important factor in the emergence of a new polycentric world order. The organisation has worked to bring about tangible improvements in the security and multilateral political, economic and humanitarian cooperation of member states.

As a result, the role of the SCO in international and regional affairs is on the rise, attracting the attention of many countries and international organisations. Pakistan, India, and Iran want to become full members of the SCO, while more and more countries are seeking observer or dialogue partner status.

Secret to success

What is the secret to the success and appeal of the SCO? The answer is simple: our steadfast commitment to the United Nations Charter and fundamental international norms and laws; to the principles of equality, mutual respect, consideration of each other’s interests, resolving conflicts and disputes by political and diplomatic means, and the right of nations to choose their own path of development. These principles are consistent with the goal of ensuring a stable and democratic international system. The SCO is fully in tune with the realities and demands of the 21st century, unlike the relics of a past era that rely on rigid adherence to discipline that exists within particular blocs of countries.

“Russia will use its presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation to advocate for coordinated steps on the economy, financial sector, energy and food security”

During Russia’s SCO presidency, which will begin right after the Dushanbe Summit, we plan to focus on better equipping the SCO to handle the many challenges facing the world today and on working together to adequately respond to events in the region and the world.

Coordinated approaches to common challenges will be reflected in the Strategy for the SCO’s Development to 2025, which will be finalised in time for the meeting of the council of heads of the SCO member states in Ufa in 2015. The document is designed to deepen cooperation within the SCO while expanding cooperation with leading multilateral institutions such as the U.N. and its specialised agencies. It also contains provisions on establishing relations with the Eurasian Economic Union.

Regional security

Regional security remains the SCO’s top priority. Other priorities include building up joint capabilities to combat terrorism, extremism, and drug trafficking, especially amid the worsening situation in Afghanistan. This will be achieved by strengthening the SCO’s Regional Counter-Terrorism Structure, implementing the Anti-Drug Strategy, and regular counter-terrorism training. The SCO Peace Mission 2014 exercises held in China on August 24 to 29 confirmed that the member states are prepared to deal with emerging threats. The SCO has been clear that it does not seek to create a military-political alliance. However, its core principles include preventing unlawful acts that harm the interests of member states.

In the face of complex and interrelated challenges, Russia will use its presidency of the SCO to advocate for coordinated steps on the economy, financial sector, energy and food security.

The continuing instability of the global economy and the risks of another crisis demand greater economic cooperation. Plans are being outlined to make broader use of national currencies in settlements. Prospects are good for launching large multilateral projects in transport, energy, innovative research and technology, agriculture, and the peaceful use of outer space, though the optimal funding mechanism for such projects remains to be determined. The SCO Business Council, Interbank Consortium, and Energy Club are at the forefront of expanding practical cooperation among member states.

The SCO is rapidly forming a common research, educational, cultural and humanitarian space. Work is underway to expand the SCO university network and to institutionalise information cooperation. And the planned joint celebrations of the 70th anniversary of victory in the Second World War will be a clear indication of the member states’ commitment to preserving our shared historical memory and strengthening mutual trust, including through the Youth Council and the SCO Forum.

The Dushanbe Summit will also formalise the legal, administrative and financial requirements for admitting new SCO members, making it possible to start expanding the organisation during the Russian presidency. At the same time, we will continue to engage with observer states and dialogue partners.

I strongly believe that, in close cooperation with our partners, we will be able to accelerate the SCO’s development and further enhance its role in promoting peace and prosperity in the region.

deejay · Post by **deejay** » 11 Sep 2014 11:04

^^^ Why do I get this feeling of Hindi -Chini Bhai Bhai from the Chinese side all over again? Is it just me?

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 11 Sep 2014 12:19

SSridhar wrote:As I said before, it is premature to talk of SCO entry (as some newspapers reported as though China has already given sanction and it was imminent). China will wait and watch before taking action. It might have agreed to in principle because it does want India on its side, as we all know.

I think from the sound bites at official level SCO will approve full member expansion this time and likely in 2015 India and Pakistan will become full members.

Even India is keep to join SCO as the ambassador mentions.

Should be good for us in terms of Anti-Terrorism exercises and Economic co-operation.

Seems Iran and Afghanistan will take some time to become full member

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 11 Sep 2014 12:21

deejay wrote:^^^ Why do I get this feeling of Hindi -Chini Bhai Bhai from the Chinese side all over again? Is it just me?

With new leadership in both the countries there is a realisation to engage each other for mutual beneficial relation. Chinese President visit this month should make this clear.

TSJones · Post by **TSJones** » 11 Sep 2014 12:47

yes, please welcome our representatives, the ah, Bakisitanis to your fine organization.

Yagnasri · Post by **Yagnasri** » 11 Sep 2014 13:14

deejay wrote:^^^ Why do I get this feeling of Hindi -Chini Bhai Bhai from the Chinese side all over again? Is it just me?

You are not alone sir. I also have the same feeling. But Chacha Nehru and NM are two different people and there is no Krishna Menon now. Indian forces also are not going to to easy to massacre for want of basic equipment etc today like they were earlier. Yes there are serious short comings but we are much better than before.

China may try one more attack before we reach a much stronger position. May be within next 3 years or so. After that the time may be too late to make an attempt to crush India. Even now it is much difficult.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 11 Sep 2014 14:23

TSJones wrote:yes, please welcome our representatives, the ah, Bakisitanis to your fine organization.

Guess US is not happy with SCO

member_28714 · Post by **member_28714** » 11 Sep 2014 15:11

NATO is based on the underlying 'given' of democracy and free market. What is SCO

Russia - pseudo socialist, leninist, stalinist and now putinist.
China - pseudo communist, maoist and now closet state driven capitalist
India - I am not even going to try

China has border issues with both India and Russia. And then the overhang of Japan which has strings attached to all three countries causing conflict of interest especially when the ECS may flare up any moment.

I just dont see SCO as a sustainable idea.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 11 Sep 2014 22:21

^^

West is Democracy and Phreee Capatalist Market onleeee , Beware of Evil Chinese , Russians and Indians they are bad onleee

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 11 Sep 2014 22:22

China backs Russia's 2015 SCO presidency

DUSHANBE, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- China supports Russia taking over the presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) next year, Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Thursday.

Xi made the remarks at a meeting with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, ahead of the 14th summit of the SCO, which groups China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

On the upcoming Dushanbe summit, the two leaders agreed that under the current situation, SCO members should strengthen unity, mutual trust and cooperation, and promote the simultaneous advancement of security and economy.

Also, the two leaders maintained that SCO countries should firmly crack down on the "three evil forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism, and vigorously enhance practical cooperation in various fields, so as to make the SCO a reliable guarantee for the stability and development of its members.

Meanwhile, the two sides pledged to strengthen communication and coordination, increase input, and steer the development of the SCO forward in line with the common interests of the countries in the region.

China, Xi said, supports Russia hosting the 2015 SCO summit in the southwestern city of Ufa.

Besides its six members, the SCO also has Afghanistan, India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan as observers, and Belarus, Turkey and Sri Lanka as dialogue partners.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 12 Sep 2014 22:35

Shanghai assembly chief backs India, Pakistan for membership

DUSHANBE, September 12. /ITAR-TASS/. Plans by India and Pakistan to join the six-nation Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) were backed by the regional assembly's chairman at its summit in Dushanbe, capital of Tajikistan, on Friday, as he looked ahead to a membership bid by Iran.

Documents on admission of new members would be adopted at the session, said the assembly's current chief, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, gathering representatives of Russia, China and central Asian member-states.

Eyeing prospects for Iran's admission, Nazarbeyev welcomed dialogue between its leaders and Western powers, expressing hope for a settlement of issues over Teheran's nuclear ambitions before November, “thus opening an opportunity (for Iran) to apply for SCO membership".

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 12 Sep 2014 22:36

Time to get India into the SCO

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 13 Sep 2014 23:23

Swaraj at SCO summit: Need global action against terror

India on Friday said that it has submitted its formal application for entry into the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), as External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that New Delhi is ready to step up its engagement with the grouping.

Swaraj, who is in Dushanbe to attend the SCO summit in Tajikistan, said that India was ready to step up engagement with the SCO and hoped that the grouping will be able to meet key challenges like the scourge of terrorism facing the region.

“We have today imparted a new energy and momentum to our ties with our immediate and extended neighbourhood. Our government is ready to step up its engagement with the SCO and contribute more meaningfully to its activities,” she said.

“In keeping with this objective, we have submitted our formal application for the full membership of the SCO to the current SCO chair. We hope to lay the foundation of a new relationship with the SCO region which will draw strength from our ancient links while preparing together to address the opportunities and challenges of the 21st century,” she said.

The annual SCO summit, attended by the presidents of Russia, China, Afghanistan and Iran, among others cleared administrative hurdles to grant membership to India, Pakistan and Iran into the China-dominated grouping that is increasingly seen as a counterweight to NATO.

The SCO comprises China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, and has Afghanistan, India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan as observers besides Belarus, Turkey and Sri Lanka as dialogue partners.

“The summit of the SCO is taking place at a crucial juncture in global politics, with many nations facing violence and conflict. We need to reflect collectively on all these events of deep geo-political significance,” Swaraj said.

India has been an observer at the SCO since 2005 and has generally participated at the ministerial-level at the grouping’s summits, which focus mainly on security and economic cooperation in the Eurasian space.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 13 Sep 2014 23:24

SCO summit paves way for entry of India: Chinese experts

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 14 Sep 2014 00:27

Should be good for us in terms of Anti-Terrorism exercises

Isn't this a bit like joining DOTWU (Dimwits Of The World United) along with the present US administration and saying:
Should be good for us in terms of Anti-Stupidity exercises?

member_28714 · Post by **member_28714** » 15 Sep 2014 18:17

Austin wrote:^^

West is Democracy and Phreee Capatalist Market onleeee , Beware of Evil Chinese , Russians and Indians they are bad onleee

In my defense I put quotations around given

But seriously how or what is an India China Russia alliance when china is in bed with pakistan

vishvak · Post by **vishvak** » 15 Sep 2014 23:13

Pakis are in bed with everyone but Russia India Japan and few others may be.that's Pakistan way of dealing with neighbor.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 07 Jul 2015 08:11

Modi is visiting Central Asia right now. SCO membership is on cards.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 07 Jul 2015 11:50

ramana can we merge BRICS and SCO into one thread as India is part of both or would be

A_Gupta · Post by **A_Gupta** » 07 Jul 2015 16:31

No, please don't merge BRICS and SCO into one thread. That India is part of both is not the issue; the key point to note is that Pakistan is a member of one and not the other.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-new ... 66606.aspx
"'SCO might go the Saarc way after India and Pakistan join'"

“Not sure whether the SCO will become clumsier or less efficient (after the two countries join). The guiding principles of SCO say, it will be built on consensus. Like Asean+. If the differences between India and Pakistan are brought to the forum….see what happened to Saarc,” Hu Shisheng, director at the government-funded China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations and South Asia expert told HT.

A worried Hu said it should be made a prerequisite before the two countries join that they will not bring their bilateral differences to the table.

“They cannot bring bilateral differences (to SCO). Otherwise, the group will become dysfunctional. The focus should adding value to the forum. Not the other way around. That is the genuine hope of the old members,” Hu said, adding that what augurs well is that India does not have a history of taking bilateral issues to multilateral forums.

What is left unsaid is that Pakistan does have a history of taking bilateral issues to every multilateral forum. Also unsaid is China will tolerate its munna sh*tting all over the place.

vijaykarthik · Post by **vijaykarthik** » 07 Jul 2015 17:05

Now it looks like they will decide membership for India and Pakistan only in 2016. Wonder what happened. Wasn't India supposed to become a full member this year?

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 07 Jul 2015 21:24

India, Pakistan SCO membership to be finalised in 2016

MOSCOW: The membership of India and Pakistan in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) would be finalised by the next meeting of the leaders in 2016 in India, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said on Tuesday.

"India and Pakistan are not joining the SCO tomorrow (on Wednesday). The process of engaging them is beginning," TASS news agency quoted Ushakov as saying in an interview to Rossiya 24 TV channel.

The process of the two countries' accession to the political, military and economic alliance, which consists of Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, kicks off on Friday at the summit in Ufa in Russia.

Ushakov added that inclusion of India and Pakistan in the SCO demands the coordination of a working memorandum. Both the countries also need to sign 28 key documents of the group."After that, as we hope, the membership of these two countries in the ..in the SCO will be finalised and we will be able to talk about our Group of Eight participants," Ushakov said.

Meanwhile, media reports said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi could meet Pakistani Premier Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines of the SCO summit on Friday.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 07 Jul 2015 21:26

SCO will never be a military bloc — secretary general

BEIJING, July 7. /TASS./. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will never become a military bloc, SCO Secretary General Dmitry Mezentsev told TASS in an exclusive interview on Tuesday.

"SCO is not going to become a military and political alliance, it will never be a military bloc," Mezentsev stressed, commenting on statements made earlier by international observers after large-scale anti-terrorism drills "Peace Mission - 2014" took place in August 2014 on China’s territory with participation of SCO member countries.

"It is important to note that the scenario of drills remains practically unchanged," the SCo secretary general said. "Over the last years, defense ministries of SCO member countries cooperated only in anti-terrorism efforts," he added. Mezentsev said the organization is prepared to deal with issues of regional security, but SCO member countries consider it especially important to "be able to rely on the potential of political and diplomatic measures."

"SCO is generally ready to respond to challenges that emerge in the sphere of security," Mezentsev said. One of the major modern threats is cyber-terrorism, he added. SCO also continues to pay much attention to fight against drugs, Mezentsev noted. "In this sphere, defense ministries are cooperating in an exemplary manner. But I want to stress once again that SCO does not have military units. Going beyond the organization’s borders to solve any kind of issues by military means is ruled out," he stressed.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 07 Jul 2015 21:31

Austin, SCO and BRIC have different objectives and should be studied separately.
BTW, A_Gupta has clearly shown the role of Pak and China.

What is left unsaid is that Pakistan does have a history of taking bilateral issues to every multilateral forum. Also unsaid is China will tolerate its munna sh*tting all over the place.

vijaykarthik, I don't understand what happened. Maybe something to do with TSP.
If you read the text of the SCo Secy-Gen's statement, SCO is all about anti-terrorism. We all know its from TSP. So how will they accommodate TSP in an organization when it is the fountain head of all their fears?

Most likely China is demanding TSP to be accommodated at same time as India.

Anyway 2016 is only a few months away.

Meantime good idea to look at the 28 documents that have to be signed.

Sid · Post by **Sid** » 07 Jul 2015 23:01

From what I read it "is" a pseudo military block and has realistic chance to become a military block in future. Except India, all other member states (including future member TSP) have one single common enemy.

And by bringing both in at the same time we are being pulled down to the same level as TSP.

What benefit do we get from being in this group?

Tuvaluan · Post by **Tuvaluan** » 07 Jul 2015 23:04

If Pakistan is part of this grouping, it is a pretty worthless grouping as far as India is concerned -- China as the top dog in this organization and a russia that is pro pakistan makes it like SAARC, more heat than light.

deejay · Post by **deejay** » 08 Jul 2015 07:31

^^^ SCO without India will align to favour TSP. The only way to neutralise it from becoming an anti India grouping is to make it impotent by joining it.

Russia, is in dire economic need. One who pays or buys Russian will be obliged. China is Russia's new best friend. TSP is Chineese Munna. Best way to stop them is join the group and make it ineffective.

JMT

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 08 Jul 2015 10:14

SCO has been existing like 15 years before India and Pakistan is planning to join and its a well oiled and greased machine conducting many military exercises althought anti-terrorism in nature.

SCO is not a supra body to infulence policy of individual country but a group of country that wanted to prevent further NATO expansion in their area and manage internal security threats and economic co-operation.

The link provides a good history of SCO https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghai_ ... ganisation

SCO is not in the same role as SAARC is to get paralysed by Indo-Pak dispute as the mandate for SCO is not the same as SAARC or BRICS

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 08 Jul 2015 10:18

Chinese View

Commentary: Bigger SCO brings boons, not threats, to int'l community

UFA, Russia, July 8 (Xinhua) -- The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is growing in size, but a larger SCO means more boons, not threats, to the international community.

Leaders of SCO member states -- China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan -- will gather later this week in the Russian city of Ufa for an annual summit.

A decision on starting procedures for India and Pakistan to join the bloc as full members is scheduled to be adopted at the meeting, signifying the official beginning of the SCO's expansion, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Cheng Guoping said Monday.

It will be the first time for the bloc to add full members since it was established in 2001 in Shanghai, China.

Thanks to the member states' achievements through cooperation, the SCO appeal is growing. Many countries have shown interest in joining the bloc, appreciating its philosophy of mutual trust and mutual benefit.

With its expansion, the bloc will provide a platform for broader economic and security cooperation within the Eurasian region and help make the world more stable and prosperous.

Both India and Pakistan are challenged by terrorism, separatism and extremism. Their potential entry into the SCO will be a positive step for the two countries to improve their domestic security situation, as the rich experience accumulated by the bloc will help them tackle the "three evil forces."

It will also play a constructive role in pushing for the improvement of their bilateral relations.

The expansion will fuel the SCO's growth, speed up its internal interaction and broaden its scope for cooperation.

The eagerness of countries to join the SCO reflects the fact that the "Shanghai Spirit" of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for cultural diversity and pursuit of common development is being widely recognized by the international community.

However, as the bloc is opening its doors, some Westerners are once again fanning speculation that the SCO is keen to form an alliance against the West.Actually, these groundless conclusions are nothing but a product of an obsolete Cold War mentality. If the West would like to face up to facts, it will see a new model of international relations the SCO has created, focused on partnership instead of alliance against any third party.

Since the organization's birth, the SCO member states have produced a list of tangible achievements in security and economic cooperation.

Over the past decade, the SCO has made concerted efforts to effectively block mounting security threats in the region through the creation of transnational anti-terror agencies and the staging of multinational joint drills.

The regional group has never forgotten its founding principle of non-alignment and devotes itself to regional security and peace.

Within the framework of the SCO, the member states have cemented economic and trade cooperation.

China, as a major economy in the organization, has spared no efforts to promote cooperation among the member states and reinforce the consciousness of a community of common destiny.

In May, Beijing and Moscow agreed to integrate their development strategies to increase regional trade and infrastructure through China's Silk Road Economic Belt and the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

The move will boost the development of the SCO, as many of its members are located on the Belt and involved in the EAEU.

At the same time, the China-proposed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank also provides a good opportunity for the SCO members to speed up building and upgrading highways, railroads and air routes.

Thus, the SCO is solely a platform for cooperation that is focused on its own development and never targets any third party. A bigger SCO will play a bigger role in the world and take more responsibility for global stability and prosperity.

arun · Post by **arun** » 08 Jul 2015 10:47

BBC Sitcom “Yes, Minister”, episode “The Writing on the Wall”.

Sir Humphrey Appleby : We 'had' to break the whole thing [the EEC] up, so we had to get inside. We tried to break it up from the outside, but that wouldn't work. Now that we're inside we can make a complete pig's breakfast of the whole thing

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 08 Jul 2015 11:06

Cambodia, Syria, Azerbaijan interested in joining SCO — Russian presidential adviser

UFA, July 7. /TASS/. Cambodia, Syria and Azerbaijan show interest in joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), but there are strict criteria for accession that should be followed, Russian presidential adviser Anton Kobyakov told journalists on Tuesday.

"Cambodia, Syria, Bangladesh, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Sri Lanka are interested in joining SCO in the future, Kobyakov, who also serves as secretary of the Organizing Committee for Russia’s presidency in SCO and BRICS, said.

"But there is a certain procedure, it’s not that simple. There are 28 documents that outline strict rules for accession to the organization. They need to be followed before joining SCO," he noted.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization brings together Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Afghanistan, India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan have observer status, while Belarus, Turkey and Sri Lanka are "dialogue partners.".

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 08 Jul 2015 12:41

This is a single link for all LIVE Updates on BRICS/SCO Summit

http://rt.com/business/272254-russia-brics-sco-summits/

vijaykarthik · Post by **vijaykarthik** » 08 Jul 2015 13:35

Eventually, if and when we join, we should also change the orgn name to something more appropriate. SCO seems a bit too strange for a body that will potentially have about 30 members. So everyone is expected to cooperate with Shanghai with nothing in return? I wonder how Russia allowed a stupid name like this to stay.
Sticks out like a sore thumb!

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 08 Jul 2015 13:38

You call that SCO or call it some fancy name how does it really matter , what result it brings in the end is what really matters

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 08 Jul 2015 13:40

PIB has released pic of Modi

https://twitter.com/PIB_India/status/61 ... 34/photo/1

A_Gupta · Post by **A_Gupta** » 08 Jul 2015 16:53

Ngyaanis and Pundits, is some deal between India and China of the following form possible - "you make Central Asia accessible and safe for India (includes handling Munna Pakistan); and we'll keep the Indian Ocean safe for you"? (In particular, China keep its naval profile in the Indian Ocean muted.)

member_28442 · Post by **member_28442** » 08 Jul 2015 16:56

A_Gupta wrote:Ngyaanis and Pundits, is some deal between India and China of the following form possible - "you make Central Asia accessible and safe for India (includes handling Munna Pakistan); and we'll keep the Indian Ocean safe for you"? (In particular, China keep its naval profile in the Indian Ocean muted.)

i doubt china needs indian help in IOR, they have more than the moolah and muscle required for such an undertaking