Russian President Vladimir Putin has named India, China, and Russia as key players in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) just days ahead of the bloc's summit in the eastern Chinese coastal city of Qingdao. He said the eight-member bloc has evolved from a group that was launched to resolve border issues between China, Russia, and erstwhile constituents of the Soviet Union into a powerful organisation with substantial resources.
He said, “The SCO member states account for one-fourth of the world's GDP, 43 per cent of the international population and 23 per cent of the global territory.” He also stressed on the “rapid economic growth of China, India and Russia, all of which are major players in the organisation.” Not-so-friendly neighbours, India and Pakistan are set to participate in the SCO summit set to be held on June 9 and 10, as full members. While Russia is believed to be pushing for India's membership, China has got Pakistan’s back. Modi is likely to meet Putin on the sidelines of the Qingdao summit.
Referring to international issues, Putin talked about the future of ties between Russia and the West. “While I am hoping for a positive relationship, we are neither surprised nor scared by the current limitations and sanctions (imposed on Russia). We will never give up on the path to independence and sovereignty,” he said. He added that the sanctions were hurting not just Russia but also the ones imposing them. “Those countries who followed America's actions have themselves suffered losses. It has been proven that these means are not at all powerful.”
