India Blocked Azerbaijan’s SCO Membership? Aliyev’s Sharp Allegation at Summit

Tianjin: Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev has alleged that India opposed his country’s full membership bid in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as retaliation for Baku’s strong support to Pakistan.

Speaking alongside Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Heads of State Summit in Tianjin, Aliyev claimed New Delhi “blocked” Azerbaijan’s entry due to its “brotherhood” with Islamabad, Daily Sabah reported.

Sharif thanked Aliyev for backing Pakistan during recent tensions, while the Azerbaijani leader congratulated Islamabad on what he termed as a “victory” against New Delhi. He reiterated that despite India’s stance at international forums, Azerbaijan prioritises its strategic partnership with Pakistan.

The two leaders also explored ways to boost trade, defence, and regional security cooperation. In recent years, Baku and Islamabad have deepened ties, with Azerbaijan openly supporting Pakistan during an operation on May 5, which targeted terror bases in Pakistan and PoK. The strike followed the Pahalgam terror attack in April that killed 26 people, mostly tourists.