I
Insight Horizon Media

When did India and Pakistan join SCO?

Author

Christopher Anderson

Published Mar 09, 2026

When did India and Pakistan join SCO?

India and Pakistan became its permanent members in 2017. India was also made an observer at the SCO in 2005 and has generally participated in the ministerial-level meetings of the grouping which focus mainly on security and economic cooperation in the Eurasian region.

Why is SCO important to Pakistan?

The SCO membership is also very important from the security point of view as Pakistan has been suffering from terrorism and extremism. The SCO is a great forum for Pakistan to share its experience and coordinate with the member states to eradicate terrorism from the region.

Is Pakistan a part of SCO?

The SCO currently comprises eight Member States (China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan), four Observer States interested in acceding to full membership (Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia) and six “Dialogue Partners” (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and …

Does India gain anything from SCO?

Any benefits from the SCO are cancelled out by the presence of China and Pakistan. India will not gain much from its participation in the SCO. …

Why is SCO important to India?

These are (i) the SCO’s progress on enhancing cooperation within its socio-economic space, including through connectivity projects and digital technology; (ii) the SCO’s effectiveness in countering transnational terrorism directed against India; and (iii) the role of the SCO in contributing to security and stability in …

Why is Turkmenistan not in SCO?

On October 22, 1995, Turkmenistan for the first time conveyed to the UN its decision to adhere to a policy of neutrality in its foreign affairs. Due to its policy of ‘positive neutrality’, Turkmenistan did not join the SCO.

When did Pakistan became part of SCO?

9 June, 2017
On 24 June 2016 India and Pakistan signed the memorandum of obligations at Tashkent, thereby starting the formal process of joining the SCO as full members. On 9 June, 2017 India and Pakistan became full members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

Is Tajikistan part of SCO?

Consisting of China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and most recently Iran, the SCO meeting primarily discussed the evolving situation in Afghanistan and its ramifications for member states as well as the international community more broadly.

What is the importance of SCO for India?

The SCO is especially important for India; while on the one hand New Delhi has sought to strengthen its security ties to the US in recent years, it also needs to maintain good relations with Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and a working relationship with China.

What are the benefits of SCO?

The main goals of the SCO are strengthening mutual confidence and good-neighbourly relations among the member countries; promoting effective cooperation in politics, trade and economy, science and technology, culture as well as education, energy, transportation, tourism, environmental protection and other fields; …

What is SCO stands for and its scope for India?

India’s path to membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) now seems certain. It is not clear that the Ufa Summit will conclude with the organization admitting both Pakistan and India, but the next step in membership will be taken with Delhi formally being admitted into the SCO structures next year.

What is rats in SCO?

With its headquarters in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) is a permanent organ of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). It’s objective is to help members states fight combat, extremism, terrorism and separatism. The Head of RATs is elected for a three-year term.