Inclusive Government Is Afghanistan’s Only Path to Peace, Say SCO Leaders

The leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member countries emphasised on the necessity of forming an inclusive government in Afghanistan.

They asserted that establishing an inclusive government with broad participation from all ethnic and political groups is the only way to achieve lasting peace in the country.

In a joint statement, the leaders declared their readiness to support efforts aimed at normalising the situation in Afghanistan.

According to the Russian news agency TASS, the statement reads that the member states express their readiness to support the international community's efforts to ensure peace and development in this country.

The SCO summit commenced on Wednesday for a two-day session and was attended by leaders and representatives from Russia, Kazakhstan, India, Iran, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Mongolia, Azerbaijan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Turkmenistan.

Although some of these countries maintain economic and diplomatic relations with the Taliban, none have recognised the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan. Since the Taliban came to power, no Afghan representative has been allowed to attend SCO meetings.