BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping called on Tuesday for efforts to safeguard regional peace as he addressed virtual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, state media reported. Xi “called for efforts to safeguard regional peace and ensure common security”, state news agency Xinhua reported, adding that the China’s leader also urged member states to “follow the right direction and enhance their solidarity and mutual trust”.
India hosts the SCO summit with Iran expected to join the eight-member Asian grouping headquartered in Beijing but hosted by India which holds the rotating chair — alongside the leaders of Central Asian countries.
The Kremlin on Monday said Putin would attend and address the summit.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday said “the full membership of Iran” would be approved at the summit.
Tehran has intensified its diplomacy in recent months, seeking to reduce its isolation, improve its economy and project strength.
“This membership is beneficial both for Iran and for the organisation,” Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said Monday, saying it would have “positive effects on economic development” between member nations.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan also attending the summit, calling it an “important forum for regional security and prosperity”, Islamabad’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
Created in 2001 to discuss security and economic matters, other SCO members are Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, with countries including Belarus and Mongolia invited as observers. –Agencies
