India and Pakistan put aside their long-running tensions, as they were officially confirmed as members of the increasingly influential Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) , during a summit in Kazakhstan capital Astana.
“I thank the SCO for making India a part of this esteemed organization, which now represents 40 percent of humanity and nearly 20 percent of global GDP, ” Modi said during his opening remarks at the two-day leader-level summit.
“ Connectivity with SCO countries is our priority. We fully support it. And we want connectivity should pave the way for cooperation and trust among our future generations and society. “
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also singled out the country’s southern neighbor in his opening remarks.
“I congratulate India on joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. We must leave a legacy of peace for future generations; not toxic harvest of conflict and animosity. Let’s create shared spaces for all, ” he said.
The standoff in Kashmir has flared up in recent months, and the two countries also disagree over other key proposals, such as China’s One Belt One Road infrastructure development program, which is welcomed by Islamabad, and contested by New Delhi.
Nonetheless, the two leaders shared an informal meeting on the sidelines of the summit – their first tete-a-tete for 17 months – but avoided discussing political issues.
Founded in 1996 by China, Russia and three central Asian states, with a fourth, Uzbekistan, joining four years later, with the addition of the two newest members, SCO membership has grown to eight.
The body was founded primarily as a security organization, aimed at fighting regional terrorism, and while it has since expanded its remit, the Astana summit harks back to its roots.
