Saudi Arabia Joins Shanghai Cooperation Summit
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Roshan Amiri
- . March 30, 2023
- . Update: March 30, 2023 4:20 pm
The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has decided to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a Eurasian political, economic, and defence organisation.
On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia’s cabinet approved a decision to join the China-led bloc. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Saudi cabinet approved a memorandum to grant the country status of a dialogue partner in the SCO.
According to Reuters, Saudi Arabia’s membership in the bloc was discussed in December when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the Kingdom. Last year, Iran also signed documents to join the bloc. Reportedly, Saudi Arabia will also be granted full membership soon.
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On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia’s Aramco raised its multi-billion dollar investment in China. Saudi Aramco would also acquire a stake in a privately controlled petrochemical group in China, reported Reuters.
The People’s Republic of China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are Member States of the SCO. Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia are observer states. Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Turkey are dialogue partners of the SCO.
In recent months, Saudi Arabia has increased its cooperation with China and Russia. Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, has also grown a close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed to re-establish relations under a deal brokered by the People’s Republic of China. The trilateral agreement was signed by the three countries on March 10.
Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah bin Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, said that talks to revive relations with Iran lasted around two years under the guidance of China. This year, Saudi National Security Advisor Musaad bin Mohammed Al-Aiban and Iran’s secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Admiral Ali Shamkhani signed the document.
