Tianjin, September 1(HS): In a significant expansion of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Laos was formally accepted as a dialogue partner during the SCO summit held in Tianjin, China. This addition brings the SCO’s composition to 10 member states, 15 dialogue partners, and two observers, marking a milestone in the grouping’s evolving geopolitical footprint.

Under China’s presidency this year, the SCO summit has emerged as the largest in the organization’s history, featuring 20 foreign leaders and heads of 10 international bodies, including United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The summit convened in the northern port city of Tianjin amid growing global calls for peace and stability.

Laos’ inclusion underscores the SCO’s strategic ambition to broaden dialogue and cooperation across Asia and beyond. On the summit’s third day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in high-profile talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasizing the urgent plea for humanity to end the prolonged conflict in Ukraine.

Against the backdrop of the approaching grand military parade in Beijing commemorating 80 years since World War II’s end, the SCO leaders collectively articulated a forward-looking vision for enhanced regional security and cooperative development.

Laos’ new role as a dialogue partner reaffirms the SCO’s rising status as a pivotal platform for multilateral engagement in Eurasian geopolitics and global diplomacy.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar