India's Reservations at SCO Summit
India has expressed its concerns regarding the participation of Turkey and Azerbaijan, dialogue partners of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), at the upcoming Summit in Tianjin, China, in early September.
- The concerns arise from the support extended by Ankara and Baku to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor.
- India communicated its reservations to China, the host of the Summit.
- The SCO operates on a consensus basis, meaning a single member's reservation can influence decisions.
Support to Pakistan
- Turkey has provided Pakistan with defense hardware, including drones.
- Azerbaijan offered political support to Pakistan, particularly concerning Azerbaijan's territorial issues with Armenia.
- Evidence from Pakistani drones, intercepted by India, indicated the usage of Turkish-made drones.
India's Response
- There have been calls within India to boycott Turkey and Azerbaijan for their support to Pakistan.
Statements by External Affairs Minister
During the SCO foreign ministers' meeting in Tianjin, India's External Affairs Minister emphasized the importance of adhering to SCO's founding objectives, particularly combating terrorism.
- He highlighted the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which resulted in 26 deaths, as an example of threats to the region's security.
- The attack aimed to destabilize the tourism economy in Jammu and Kashmir and incite religious discord.