India Blocks Azerbaijan’s Bid for Full SCO Membership Again

India has once again opposed granting full membership to Azerbaijan in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Meanwhile, China reaffirmed its support for Azerbaijan’s membership during the SCO summit in China, highlighting that the country’s application aligns with the principles of the “Shanghai Spirit”, The Caspian Post reports via local media.

According to officials familiar with the situation, India’s decision contradicts the principles of multilateral diplomacy and the "Shanghai Spirit", which prohibit transferring bilateral disputes to multilateral platforms. These sources noted that India’s stance is closely linked to Azerbaijan’s brotherly ties with Pakistan.

One insider noted that such opposition “does not alter Azerbaijan’s strategic course but merely highlights the shortsightedness and limitations of India’s policy.”