Afghanistan Joining SCO As Permanent Member Currently Impossible, Says Russian Envoy

Bakhtiyor Hakimov, the Russian envoy to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), has expressed that discussions on Afghanistan's accession to the organisation are not feasible at this time.

Hakimov pointed out that although Afghanistan submitted a request to join the SCO in 2015, the circumstances now make it clear that "this matter cannot be currently addressed”.

As reported by the TASS news agency, Hakimov, who serves as Vladimir Putin's delegate to the SCO, delivered these comments during a press briefing in Moscow.

Afghanistan holds the status of an observer within the SCO. The nation's former administration had sought to elevate its membership to a permanent level within the organisation.

The SCO's permanent members include Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, and Iran.

Following the Taliban's ascension to power, the SCO has consistently underscored the importance of establishing an inclusive government in Afghanistan through its declarations.

At the 23rd SCO summit, hosted by India in July 2023, member states unanimously advocated for an inclusive Afghan government that incorporates various ethnic, religious, and political factions. They collectively stated that promptly addressing Afghanistan's situation is essential for the region's security and stability.

The Taliban, which was not invited to the summit, criticised the SCO's stance and described the group's exclusion from the organisation's meetings as a significant obstacle to comprehensive coordination.