SCO calls for multipolar world order as Iran joins grouping

The formation of a “more representative” and multipolar world order is in the global interest, leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation said at a virtual Summit chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 4. Quoting Rabindranath Tagore in his speech, Mr. Xi said, “The sea of danger, doubt and denial around man’s little island of certainty challenges him to dare the unknown.” ‘Russian resolve’ While the joint statement made no direct reference to the war in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin, who made his first appearance at a multilateral setting since the failed rebellion by the Wagner group last month, blamed “external forces” for turning Ukraine “anti-Russian”, and supplying weapons to it. “Russia is confidently resisting and will continue to resist external pressure, sanctions and provocations,” Mr. Putin said, adding that Russian resolve was “clearly demonstrated by the Russian political circles and the whole of society in uniting against the attempted armed rebellion.” Virtual summit Lasting just under three hours, the virtual summit was completed in a single session, with leaders reading out their national statements, followed by the signing of agreements by all the leaders, including Mr. Modi, Mr. Putin, Mr. Xi, Mr. Sharif, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the leaders of four Central Asian states. “ member States confirm their commitment to formation of a more representative, democratic, just and multipolar world order based on the universally recognized principles of international law, multilateralism, equal, joint, indivisible, comprehensive and sustainable security, cultural and civilizational diversity, mutually beneficial and equal cooperation of states with a central coordinating role of the UN,” it said.