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<strong>India and China are expected to be at loggerheads over&nbsp; Afghanistan, as a divided Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) begins its summit in Dushanbe on Friday.</strong></p>
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China wants to cooperate with the new Kabul government, while India is strongly against it, insisting that an inclusive cabinet be formed , reports Nezavisimaya Gazeta, a Russian newspaper.</p>
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The India-China split is having a downstream impact. Pakistan, Uzbekistan and&nbsp; Kazakhstan subscribe to Beijing&rsquo;s approach, while Tajikistan&rsquo;s position aligns with that of New Delhi, the daily added.</p>
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Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will address the summit in a virtual format. The SCO has eight members, including&nbsp; India, China and Russia flanking a Central Asian core.</p>
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The summit is expected to back Iran as the ninth member of the SCO. Tehran, like India, wants Afghanistan to have an inclusive government, which includes the country&rsquo;s minorities including Uzbeks, Hazaras and Tajiks, with whom Tehran enjoys historic cultural ties.</p>
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Tehran Times is reporting that Russian security chief Nikolai Patrushev had a conversation with the secretary of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council , Ali Shamkhani, announcing that Iran will soon become a full member of the SCO.</p>
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In a Twitter post, Shamkhani said he held a conversation with his &ldquo;friend and colleague, Mr. Patrushev&rdquo; in which they discussed&nbsp; developments in Afghanistan, Syria, and the Persian Gulf region.</p>
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&ldquo;Fortunately, the political obstacles to Iran&#39;s membership in the Shanghai CO have been removed &amp; Iran&rsquo;s membership will be finalized,&rdquo; he observed.</p>
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<strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/afghanistan-s-absence-in-dushanbe-sco-meeting-will-stand-out-115184.html">Afghanistan&#39;s absence in Dushanbe SCO meeting will stand out</a></strong></p>
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