Crossroads Asia

Iran’s Membership Raises the SCO’s Profile – and Expectations

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Crossroads Asia | Security | Central Asia

Iran’s Membership Raises the SCO’s Profile – and Expectations

After adding Tehran to its ranks, the SCO will face its biggest test yet: maintaining stability in Afghanistan.  

Iran’s Membership Raises the SCO’s Profile – and Expectations

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a virtual meeting of the SCO Heads of State Council on Sept. 17, 2021.

Credit: Russian Presidential Press and Information Office

One of the highlights of last week’s Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit was when Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the commencement of procedures to grant Iran full membership in the SCO.

Iran’s ascension to full SCO member was widely seen to be inevitable, considering the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement Iran signed with China last March and a similar agreement Iran subsequently signed with Russia.

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