Iran Formally Joins SCO As Summit Kicks Off in India

By Staff, Agencies

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has participated in a virtual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization [SCO] in India as the bloc officially welcomes Iran's accession.

The 23^rd SCO summit kicked off on Tuesday through a video conference in India.

This is the first time that Iran takes part in the SCO summit as a full member of the organization.

Raisi is scheduled to outline on the Islamic Republic's stance and viewpoints in an address to the meeting.

Iran’s application to join the SCO as a full member was confirmed by member states of the bloc two years ago; and the technical process for accepting the membership bid was approved a year ago at the 22^nd SCO summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Delivering a speech to the SCO opening ceremony on Tuesday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his country is happy to see Iran’s accession to the organization. 

The 23^rd SCO summit is due to approve and officially announce the membership of Iran and Belarus in the eight-member bloc which is comprised of India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.