SCO’s New Delhi Declaration Calls For Inclusive Government in Afghanistan

Members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in a joint Declaration said that it essential to establish an inclusive government in Afghanistan with the participation of representatives of all ethnic, religious, and political groups.

SCO held the meeting of the Council of Heads of State of SCO virtually on Tuesday and stressed that for stability in the region, the situation in Afghanistan must be settled immediately.

The member states believed that one of the most important factors of preservation and strengthening of safety and stability within SCO region, is advocating to build Afghanistan as an independent, neutral, united, democratic, and peaceful state, free from terrorism, war and drugs.

The SCO member states also emphasised on the importance of long-term hospitality and effective assistance provided to the Afghan refugees by regional and neighbouring countries of Afghanistan.

The declaration thanked the international community for their active efforts to facilitate Afghan refugees’ dignified, safe, and sustainable return to their homeland.

With regards to the evolving humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, the member states supported continued efforts to assist the Afghan people.

The 23rd meeting of heads of state of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation has been held virtually by India. Among others, Russian President, Vladimir Putin, and the President of China, Xi Jinping, have participated in the SCO meeting.

India assumed the rotating chairmanship of the SCO at the Samarkand Summit of the organization on September 16 last year.