IRAN BECOME 9TH FULL MEMBER OF SCO
- Iran has become a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). The decision to admit the nation as a full-time member of the bloc was announced during the 21st SCO leader’s summit in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Chinese President Xi Jinping, who addressed the summit virtually, confirmed Iran's permanent membership of the SCO on September 17, 2021. Iran was so far participating in SCO meetings as an observer nation, a status that it had acquired in June 2005. It had applied for full membership of the bloc first in 2008 and then again in 2010 but both times it was not successful.
- Significance: This would be the first time that Iran becomes a full member of a major regional bloc since its 1979 revolution. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes Iran’s full membership in the bloc.
- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi termed the approval as a “diplomatic success” during his speech at the two-day SCO summit in Tajikistan’s Dushanbe. This was the first appearance of Iran's new president, hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi at an international platform. He had taken the oath of office succeeding Hassan Rouhani. Raisi also denounced “unilateralism” by the United States and called for a concerted effort to fight sanctions during his speech.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
Iran's inclusion as a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization would mean linking Iran to the economic infrastructures of Asia and its vast resources. Iran, which is currently facing harsh US sanctions, could stand to gain politically and economically from the SCO membership. It could also gain significant access to the Central Asian region, which can be the possibly market for the export of Iranian goods. While US sanctions may still potentially prove to be roadblocks, it will not halt Iran's economic progress, as per experts. Iran is looking to expand its pre-existing cooperation agreement with Russia. It had also signed a 25-year comprehensive cooperation agreement with China in March 2021. Iran will formally join the SCO bloc after the conclusion of the technical and legal process, which could take up to two years.
21ST SCO SUMMIT TO BE HELD IN TAJIKISTAN
The 21st meeting of the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) Council of Heads of State will be held on September 17 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan in a hybrid format. The meeting will be chaired by Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the Indian delegation and address the plenary session of the SCO Summit via video-link, External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar will represent the country in Dushanbe. The Summit will be attended by the leaders of the SCO member states, observer states, secretary general of the SCO, executive director of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow and other invited guests. This is the first SCO Summit being held in a hybrid format and the fourth that India will participate in as a full-fledged member of SCO. This Summit assumes significance as the organization is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. At the Summit, the leaders are expected to review the organization's activities over the past two decades and discuss the state and prospects of future cooperation. Topical issues of regional and international importance are also expected to be discussed.
STAND OF MEMBER NATIONS AT THE SUMMIT
- India’s Stand: It took a strong stance against radicalisation and extremism, urging the panel to come up with a joint approach and frame a code of conduct to stop terror financing and cross-border terrorism. It also stressed upon the importance of moderate Islam in Central Asia. Flagged concerns over the serious humanitarian crisis unfolding in Afghanistan, noting that the economic woes of the Afghan people are increasing due to the blockage in financial and trade flows. Pointed out that the developments in the country could lead to an uncontrolled flow of drugs, illegal weapons and human trafficking. It is committed to increasing its connectivity with Central Asia. Asserting that there should be respect for the territorial integrity of all countries.
- Pakistan's Stand: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said that a "new reality" has been established in Afghanistan after the Taliban seized power in Kabul and it is now in the international community’s "collective interest" to ensure that there is no renewed conflict in the war-torn country and it will never again become a safe haven for terrorists. Pakistan, which had suffered due to the spillover of conflict and instability in Afghanistan, had an interest in a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.
- China' Stand: Chinese President Xi Jinping too called for a stable government in Afghanistan, saying, “The withdrawal of foreign troops has opened a new page in its history. But Afghanistan still faces many daunting challenges, and it needs the support and assistance of the international community, particularly countries in our region,” reported India Today.
- Russia's Stand: Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the Afghanistan government formed by the Taliban is not representative and inclusive, but it is essential to work with it as he stressed on the need to coordinate the stance of other countries on the issue of recognition. Meanwhile Putin hailed the decision to grant dialogue partner status in the SCO to Egypt, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. He urged members to provide all possible assistance to the start of an inclusive intra-Afghan peace process and at the "same time to do everything to block the threats of terrorism, drug trafficking, religious extremism emanating from this country." Iran's membership was welcomed by Putin as well.
- Iran: Speaking in the Tajik capital Dushanbe, Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi thanked the SCO's eight members for supporting its bid. Joining the bloc would have an "important impact" on Tehran's cooperation with the countries. SCO leaders did not announce a timeline for bloc observer Iran's membership.
BACKGROUND
- The United States has imposed sanctions against Iran in response to its nuclear program and support. Iran and the world powers have conducted roughly six rounds of talks to restore the 2015 nuclear deal, which would see the lifting of US sanctions.
- However, the talks surrounding the nuclear deal have been on hold since late July, ever since Ebrahim Raisi took over the presidency. The new Iran President finally sought to renew the nuclear negotiations on September 21st and called on the United States to fulfill its promises to end sanctions under the 2015 nuclear accord.
- In his recorded speech at the UN General Assembly, Raisi said, "The Islamic Republic considers useful talks whose ultimate outcome is the lifting of all oppressive sanctions." He reiterated Iran's stance that nuclear weapons "have no place in our defense doctrine and deterrence policy."
- US President Joe Biden, also stated in his maiden UN speech, that the United States is ready to return to the 2015 nuclear accord from which his predecessor Donald Trump withdrew. He also showed interest in turning a page on US-Iranian relations by assuring that the US would return to “full compliance” with the nuclear deal that was negotiated during his previous stint as Vice President, under former President Barack Obama's administration.
TEST YOURSELF
Q.1 Which of the following countries/nations recently became the 9th full member of Shanghai Cooperation Organization?
- United Kingdom
- Iran: ANSWER
- United Arab Emirates
- None of the following
Q.2 Which of the following is an Iranian Leader who recently replaced Hassan Rouhani as the Iranian President?
- Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
- Sayyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei
- Ebrahim Raisi: ANSWER
- None of the following
Q.3 The 21st meeting of the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) Council of Heads of State will be in __________ in a hybrid format?
- Tehran, Iran
- Tashkent, Uzbekistan
- Shanghai, China
- Dushanbe, Tajikistan: ANSWER
Q.4 Which of the following issues dominated the SCO talks in which the Indian delegation was led by PM Narendra Modi?
- Taliban's takeover in Afghanistan: ANSWER
- Climate Policy & Cutting Carbon emissions
- Conflict of interest between Israel & Palestine
- All of the above
Q.5 Consider the given statements & state which of the following is/are correct in the reference to the above mentioned passage?
- The Indian delegation, a member of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) since 2017, was led by External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar virtually.
- Iran has been accepted as the ninth full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
- Only I follows
- Only II follows: ANSWER
- Both I & II follows
- None of the above
Follow Our Instagram Page For Regular Education Updates
