BEIJING, June 7: China, Russia and four Central Asian states granted Afghanistan observer status in their regional group on Thursday, moving to consolidate ties with the impoverished, war-torn nation before most foreign combat troops depart by the end of 2014.

Chinese President Hu Jintao announced the plan at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s annual summit in Beijing.

Russia and China have long seen the six-nation group as a way to counter US influence in Central Asia, and hope to play a significant role in Afghanistan’s future development, especially in economic reconstruction. Granting Afghanistan observer status will strengthen their contacts, something Beijing and Moscow hope will dilute US influence and more closely align Kabul’s policies with their own aims.

The SCO also recommitted itself to closer security and economic ties and to combating drug trafficking, extremism and terrorism.

“All the member states should implement the agreement on striking the three forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism,” Mr Hu told other leaders at a morning session.

Afghanistan, whose president Hamid Karzai attended the summit, joins India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan as SCO observer states. The group also admitted Turkey as one of its three dialogue partners.

Granting observer status aims to strengthen “political, economic and civilian cooperation between the SCO states and Afghanistan,” Vice Foreign Minister Cheng Guoping told reporters.—AP

BEIJING, June 7: China, Russia and four Central Asian states granted Afghanistan observer status in their regional group on Thursday, moving to consolidate ties with the impoverished, war-torn nation before most foreign combat troops depart by the end of 2014. Chinese President Hu Jintao announced the plan at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s annual summit in Beijing. Russia and China have long seen the six-nation group as a way to counter US influence in Central Asia, and hope to play a significant role in Afghanistan’s future development, especially in economic reconstruction. Granting Afghanistan observer status will strengthen their contacts, something Beijing and Moscow hope will dilute US influence and more closely align Kabul’s policies with their own aims. The SCO also recommitted itself to closer security and economic ties and to combating drug trafficking, extremism and terrorism. “All the member states should implement the agreement on striking the three forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism,” Mr Hu told other leaders at a morning session. Afghanistan, whose president Hamid Karzai attended the summit, joins India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan as SCO observer states. The group also admitted Turkey as one of its three dialogue partners. Granting observer status aims to strengthen “political, economic and civilian cooperation between the SCO states and Afghanistan,” Vice Foreign Minister Cheng Guoping told reporters.—AP