The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on June 9, 2017 entered a new phase in its history with the incorporation of India and Pakistan as new full members during its annual summit held in Astana, Kazakhstan capital.
Key Points
The two south Asian countries are the first to join the organisation since it was founded in 2001 by Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to foster multilateral cooperation on security issues.
The SCO remains open to new applications and will next consider the candidacy of Iran, which is backed by Russia but opposed by some members of the organisation.
