Delhi set to get a seat in Beijing-dominated SCO

NEW DELHI: India is set to become a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) along with Pakistan when the China-dominated security grouping meets for its summit in Uzbekistan capital Tashkent on June 23-24 which will be attended by PM Modi. The SCO is increasingly seen as a counterweight to NATO and its membership will help India have a greater say in issues relating to security and defence besides combating terrorism.

India, one of the largest energy consuming countries in the world, is expected to get greater access to major gas and oil exploration projects in Central Asia once it becomes a member of the SCO. PM Modi is likely to have a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on June 23 on the sidelines of the SCO summit during which he is expected to seek China’s support for India’s bid for NSG membership, which Beijing is keen on blocking.

The SCO had set the ball rolling to make India a member of the bloc during its summit in Ufa in July last year when hurdles were cleared to grant membership to India, Pakistan and Iran. India will complete the process of full membership of the SCO at the summit, sources said.