Eyeing relations with SAARC, China supports India in SCO

Chinese President Xi Jinping Thursday said that his country endorsed India's attempt to secure full membership of Shanghai Corporation Organisation (SCO), adding that he hoped China would be helped in building relations with SAARC in return.

"China welcomes and supports India's ful membership in SCO and expects India to help China in building relations in SAARC (South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation)," Xi said in the joint media interaction following his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House here.

India's bid for SCO, a security block, began last week when a formal application for its membership was made during its annual summit at Dushanbe.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj who attended the summit had expressed India's desire for engagement with SCO, which comprises China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

SAARC, on the other hand, is a body established in 1985 to promote economic growth, peace and stability in the region.

Besides India, which has a dominant presence in it, other members include Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan.