Indian and Russian experts have hailed India’s presidency of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) under which Iran joined as a full-fledged member of the grouping.

Russian experts said during India’s presidency of the SCO, the maximum possible has been achieved.

After Iran being made a full member of SCO, Belarus joining the grouping next year will more balance to the organization, Head of the Department of Eurasian Integration and Development of the SCO of the Institute of the CIS countries and military expert Vladimir Evseev said in an online video bridge between New Delhi and Moscow.

The online meeting was organized by Russian state news agency Sputnik News. Former Dean of the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Anuradha Chenoy said India’s presidency has been a remarkable achievement as there was common acceptance of multipolarity.

All countries are opposed to unilateral sanctions and there was a broader commitment on this even as the grouping voiced concerns of the Global South. Iran joining the SCO has strengthened the regional bonding, she said, adding that there is a need to follow up on the operational commitments.

She said Iran’s membership of the SCO will lead to full utilization of the Chabahar port and International North-South Transport Corridor, boosting regional connectivity. The multi-modal transport corridor can reduce number of days taken to move the goods.

This corridor has a lot of potential along the route and wherever it passes through. However, there could be concerns from the Indian side as trade through corridor could attract secondary sanctions, the expert said.

National Co-Convener of Swadeshi Jagran Manch Dr Ashwani Mahajan said Chabahar Port can facilitate better transportation and trade in region.

On the issue of trade imbalance against India in wake of increased oil and gas import from Russia, the Russian and Indian experts highlighted the need for exploring the possibility of Russian investment in Indian stocks and export of technology related to pharmaceuticals to Russia. Rupee-Ruble trade between India and Russia was also discussed by the experts during the online meet.

The experts also underscored need to take investment cooperation and joint co-production of defence hardware at a new level especially to maintain leverage of Russian military technology in Indian market.