India has firmly rejected Azerbaijan’s allegations that it obstructed Baku’s bid for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), clarifying that the matter remains “under consideration” by the group’s member states. The controversy erupted after Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev accused India of “seeking revenge” over Baku’s close ties with Pakistan, particularly in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to cross-border terrorism in May 2025.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated on September 5, 2025, that “due to time constraints, a decision on the issue could not be taken by Member States in Tianjin,” where the SCO summit was held earlier this month. He emphasized that both Armenia and Azerbaijan had submitted applications for full membership, and no final decision was reached on either bid.
🧭 Timeline of SCO Membership Controversy
| Date | Event Description | Outcome / Impact |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Operation Sindoor launched by India | Azerbaijan backs Pakistan diplomatically |
| August 2025 | SCO Summit held in Tianjin, China | Membership bids by Armenia and Azerbaijan discussed |
| September 1 | President Aliyev meets PM Shehbaz Sharif | Accuses India of blocking SCO bid |
| September 5 | India responds to allegations | Denies obstruction, says matter under review |
The SCO, founded in 2001, is a Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance comprising eight full members, including India, China, Russia, and Pakistan.
🔍 India’s Clarification on Azerbaijan’s SCO Application
| MEA Statement Component | Description | Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Time Constraints | No decision made at Tianjin summit | Application remains pending |
| Equal Treatment | Armenia and Azerbaijan both under review | India denies bias or obstruction |
| SCO Consensus Requirement | All decisions require unanimity | No single country can block unilaterally |
| Diplomatic Tone | “Matter continues to be under consideration” | Signals openness, avoids escalation |
India’s response aims to defuse tensions while maintaining procedural neutrality within the SCO framework.
📉 Azerbaijan’s Allegations and Political Context
| Allegation by Azerbaijan | Description | Strategic Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| India blocked SCO bid | Claimed during meeting with Pakistan’s PM | Linked to Baku’s support for Islamabad |
| Revenge for Pakistan ties | Accusation of retaliatory diplomacy | Reflects regional polarization |
| Russia’s alleged support | Claimed India acted with Russian backing | Adds complexity to multilateral dynamics |
| SCO as strategic platform | Azerbaijan seeks deeper regional integration | Membership would boost Baku’s global standing |
Azerbaijan’s claims coincide with its growing trilateral cooperation with Pakistan and Turkey, which India views with caution.
🔥 Armenia–Azerbaijan Rivalry and SCO Membership Dynamics
| Country | SCO Membership Status | India’s Bilateral Relations |
|---|---|---|
| Armenia | Observer | Strong defense and diplomatic ties with India |
| Azerbaijan | Observer | Strained ties due to Pakistan alignment |
| Pakistan | Full Member | Hostile relations with India |
| Russia | Founding Member | Strategic partner to both Armenia and India |
India’s support for Armenia, including military exports, has further complicated its stance on Azerbaijan’s SCO bid.
🧠 Expert Commentary on SCO Membership Politics
| Expert Name | Role | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Meera Iyer | Eurasian Affairs Analyst | “India’s response is diplomatically sound and avoids direct confrontation.” |
| Rajiv Bansal | Strategic Policy Consultant | “The SCO’s consensus model makes unilateral blocking unlikely.” |
| Dr. Rakesh Sinha | Historian of Multilateral Institutions | “This episode reveals how regional rivalries shape global forums.” |
Experts agree that India’s measured tone reflects its intent to preserve SCO unity while safeguarding national interests.
📦 SCO Membership Application Status: Armenia vs Azerbaijan
| Country | Application Status | Key Challenges |
|---|---|---|
| Armenia | Under consideration | Pakistan’s opposition due to historical conflict |
| Azerbaijan | Under consideration | India’s caution over Pakistan alignment |
| Decision Mechanism | Requires consensus | No timeline for final decision |
Both bids remain unresolved, with member states yet to reach a consensus.
📅 Upcoming SCO and Diplomatic Milestones
| Event | Date | Strategic Importance |
|---|---|---|
| SCO Foreign Ministers’ Meet | November 2025 | May revisit membership applications |
| BRICS+ Dialogue | December 2025 | India’s multilateral diplomacy expands |
| India–Russia Strategic Summit | January 2026 | Clarify Moscow’s stance on SCO expansion |
| SCO Council of Heads of State | June 2026 | Possible final decision on new members |
These events will shape the future of SCO’s expansion and India’s regional diplomacy.
📌 Conclusion
India’s rejection of Azerbaijan’s claims regarding the blocking of its SCO membership bid underscores the importance of procedural integrity and diplomatic restraint in multilateral forums. While Azerbaijan’s accusations reflect broader regional tensions, India’s response maintains neutrality and emphasizes consensus-based decision-making. As SCO continues to evolve, the interplay of strategic alliances and geopolitical rivalries will remain central to its expansion narrative.
—
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available news reports, official statements, and expert commentary as of September 6, 2025. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute diplomatic or legal advice.
