SCO Defense Ministers' Meeting: India, Pakistan represented as full members

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The defense ministers of SCO members also gathered in Beijing on Tuesday. India and Pakistan were represented for the first time since joining the organization last year. Our Zheng Yibing reports.

For the first time, Indian and Pakistani defense ministers sit together under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. They expressed confidence about joining the club.

NIRMALA SITHARAMAN INDIAN DEFENSE MINISTER "We are confident that India's membership of SCO will further enhance and deepen up ties with all the member countries for mutual benefits."

And both ministers also showed determination in tackling challenges and getting past differences.

KHURRAM DASTGIR-KHAN PAKISTANI DEFENSE MINISTER "Bilateral issues between the SCO members do exist. These will never be allowed to impede a collective work. Let's face collective challenges with courage, harmony and cooperation."

India and Pakistan formally joined the SCO in June of last year. Since then, both have been active in the organization. Now, they are coordinating in SCO exercises like "Peace Mission 2018", and regional anti-terrorism programs.

In Beijing, at their first official SCO meeting, both ministers signed a communique with other participants. The statement offered support for the "Shanghai Spirit" of building a shared community with peace and stability, development and prosperity.

ZHENG YIBING BEIJING "The conference offers a chance for countries like India and Pakistan to sit together to exchange views on matters of common concern, and this will be pushed forward in the upcoming SCO summit in east China's city of Qingdao. Zheng Yibing CGTN Beijing."