Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and the secretary general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Zhang Ming, held discussions focused on the potential expansion of the bloc to include Iran and Belarus. The conversations were reported by TASS and underscored the ongoing work behind the scenes as member states consider the strategic implications of widening the SCO’s membership and the practical steps required to integrate new participants into the organization’s framework.
During their dialogue, both sides reviewed the decisions adopted at the SCO summit held on September 16 of the previous year, emphasizing how those resolutions should be translated into concrete actions. The discussions highlighted the need to align procedural steps with the organisation’s established processes, while also addressing the broader questions of how an expanded SCO would operate in a rapidly shifting global political and economic environment. The emphasis was on ensuring a smooth transition for new members and on maintaining coherence with existing mechanisms of cooperation among current members, partners, and dialogue partners. The report from the Foreign Ministry of Russia noted that special attention was given to the procedural aspects of incorporating Iran and Belarus, as well as the formalisation of relations with new dialogue partners, including Bahrain, the Maldives, Myanmar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. These points were framed as essential to sustaining the SCO’s cohesion and effectiveness as a regional and global security and economic platform. (TASS)
Analysts pointed out that the expansion discussion comes amid broader deliberations about how the SCO should respond to shifts in global governance, supply chains, and regional security dynamics. Officials debated how to balance the benefits of broader collaboration with the need to preserve the organization’s decision-making efficiency and unity of purpose. The dialogue with Lavrov and Zhang Ming also touched on the role of the SCO in fostering economic connectivity, cultural exchange, and shared standards among member states and prospective partners, while ensuring that any expansions would be compatible with the SCO’s charter and its established channels of dialogue. (Russian Foreign Ministry statement)
Belarusian leadership has shown persistent interest in full SCO membership, signaling a readiness to align more closely with regional partners and to leverage the bloc’s platform for broader economic and political engagement. Minsk has expressed a clear intention to see an accelerated path toward full membership, with some commentators expecting a decision on expansion considerations by mid-year. Observers note that such a move could deepen access to regional markets and influence energy and trade corridors that traverse Eurasia. The discussions involving Belarus are being watched closely by other SCO members as they assess the implications for consensus-based decision making within the organization. (Belarusian government briefings)
In a separate development, China has reiterated support for Belarus’s entry, signalling a positive tilt within the bloc toward a faster process toward full member status. While formal timelines remain subject to ongoing diplomacy, the momentum noted by Beijing reflects a wider regional convergence on integrating new members into the SCO’s structures. This development, if realized, would mark a significant milestone in the organization’s evolution and its role as a multilateral forum for political dialogue and regional collaboration. (State media notices)
Ultimately, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization remains a growing forum founded in 2001 that currently includes a core group of large and mid-sized economies, with Russia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan cited as ongoing members. The discussions around Iran and Belarus signal a potential reconfiguration of the bloc’s internal balance and a reshaping of its external partnerships. While the path to full membership for new entrants involves careful negotiation and formalization, the overarching objective remains clear: to enhance collective security, strengthen regional economic cooperation, and sustain the SCO’s influence in a complex, changing global landscape. (SCO Secretariat and national statements)