Saudi Arabia joins Shanghai Cooperation Organization : Saudi Arabia has announced that it has joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. The Saudi cabinet on Wednesday approved joining the SCO. In this way, after the deal with Iran, Saudi Arabia has taken another such step, which is going to strengthen its relations with China. That too when America has expressed security concerns regarding the new policy of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has announced joining the SCO at a time when Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke to the Saudi Prince on Tuesday.
Earlier, during his visit in December last year, the Chinese President held talks with the Saudi Prince about joining the SCO. Saudi Arabian media reported that Saudi Arabia has approved to become a dialogue partner in SCO. China is trying to pit the SCO against NATO, which also includes Russia, Iran, India and Pakistan. SCO was established in the year 2001 by Russia and China. Later India and Pakistan were included in it.
SCO was established by China and Russia to reduce the influence of western countries. Iran last year signed the document for full membership of the SCO. The dialogue partner is considered the first step towards joining the SCO. After this the concerned country is given full membership. The announcement of joining the SCO has been made when Saudi giant state oil company Aramco has signed a billion dollar investment agreement with China.
Saudi company is going to buy stake in Chinese company. The growing relationship between Saudi Arabia and China has raised eyebrows in the US, its traditional ally. America has said that China is trying to create influence in the world but this is not going to change our policy in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries have expressed concern about America, which is considered a guarantee of security in West Asia. Saudi is diversifying its relations and strengthening relations with India and China.
