Tianjin, China – Azerbaijan has claimed that India blocked its bid for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), accusing New Delhi of seeking “revenge” because of Baku’s close relationship with Pakistan.

According to Azerbaijani media reports, India opposed the application at the SCO summit in Tianjin, while China expressed support. Reports alleged that India’s move violated principles of multilateral diplomacy and the “Shanghai Spirit,” arguing that bilateral issues should not be shifted to multilateral platforms.

Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, during his meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the summit, accused India of targeting Azerbaijan in global forums due to Baku’s support for Islamabad. He linked the move to India’s Operation Sindoor, a military action earlier this year against terror groups in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Sharif thanked Aliyev for Azerbaijan’s backing and called their ties “brotherhood.” Aliyev, in turn, congratulated Pakistan on what he described as its “victory over India.”

India has not yet officially responded to the claims.