Saudi Arabia is now a dialogue partner in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a regional alliance dominated by China and Russia, has seen significant progress from the Saudi Arabian government in recent months.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a regional alliance dominated by China and Russia, has seen significant progress from the Saudi Arabian government in its pursuit of membership. A memo to begin speaking with the SCO was approved at a cabinet meeting presided over by King Salman bin Abdulaziz. According to reports, Chinese President Xi Jinping brought up the subject of membership during a trip to Saudi Arabia in December of the previous year.

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According to sources, Saudi Arabia‘s decision to seek dialogue partner status with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is viewed as the first step towards eventual full membership. This decision was made in response to Saudi Aramco’s announcement of increased investment in China, including the formation of a joint venture in northeast China and the acquisition of a stake in a privately held petrochemical group.

Washington is concerned about the growing ties between Riyadh and Beijing because it sees Chinese influence as a danger to American interests. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states have, however, expressed concern over the perceived disengagement of the United States from the region and are looking to deepen their alliances. Despite these worries, the U.S. has stated that it intends to continue playing a significant role in the Middle East.

About the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

China, Russia, and a number of Central Asian nations, including Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, formed the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in June 2001. It is the largest regional organisation in the world at the moment and focuses on politics, economy, and security in the Eurasian region.

Eight full members, four observer states, and a number of dialogue partners, including Turkey, make up the SCO. India and Pakistan received full membership in 2017. Since joining the SCO as an observer state in June 2005, Iran has been a permanent member since September 2021. A year later, Iran signed a commitment letter to formally become a full member.