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Exclusive Men's Club: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization

Photo: INDIA PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU HANDOUT / EPA

Moscow and Beijing remain united in the conflict with the US, Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand: China's head of state Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin turned against the West at the summit meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and defended themselves against protectionism and sanctions. Xi said on Tuesday that China remains committed to "the right direction of economic globalization" and warned of a "new cold war" at the virtual summit. The Beijing-based alliance accepted Iran as a new member.

China opposes "protectionism, unilateral sanctions and the expansion of national security concepts," Xi said. Putin, for his part, assured at the India-hosted exchange that his country would continue to "resist external pressure, sanctions and provocations." Founded in 2001, the SCO includes Russia, China and India, as well as the four Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, as well as Pakistan.

On Tuesday, Iran was admitted as the ninth full member of the organization. Iran, which is under Western sanctions, is currently trying to break free from its international isolation. Belarus, which has observer status with the SCO, has been assured that it will become a full member at the next summit. Including the so-called observer states, the member states of the SCO comprise about half of the world's population.

"We must be vigilant"

Xi also warned, "We must be vigilant against external forces that foment a new Cold War and provoke confrontations in the region, and strongly oppose any country that interferes in internal affairs."

China and Russia have expanded their economic cooperation and diplomatic contacts in recent years. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the two countries have intensified their strategic partnership.

Putin, meanwhile, thanked the SCO countries for their support during the uprising of the Wagner mercenary group in Russia. They had supported "the actions of the Russian leadership to protect the constitutional order and the life and safety of citizens," he said.

dop/AFP