Making a strong pitch for its full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, India today said it sees a larger role for the security grouping in Afghanistan .New Delhi also evinced keen interest in participating in its counter-terrorism structure to combat challenges of extremism. Addressing the extended session of the 12th summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) which concluded in Bejing the External Affairs Minister S M Krishna spoke about the need for greater cooperation between India and the Regional Anti Terrorist Structure (RATS) which is currently confined to members of SCO.

The external affairs minister added that India is a long-standing victim of terrorism emanating from our region and believes that there is need for stronger resolve and firmer efforts in tackling this scourge. said that India, on its part, has been participating constructively at all SCO meetings open to the Observers. He said that the economic development projects of the SCO can be a meaningful additional effort for Afghanistan's reconstruction .

He also spoke about India's interest in connectivity and energy security between SCO countries.SCO grouping comprises of China, Russia and Central Asian sates of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

India, Pakistan Mongolia and Iran have the status of observer states. Afghanistan has been admitted as new observer during this summit. Belarus and Sri Lanka are the dialogue partners.