Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who is currently on a five-day official visit to China, said that Nepal is interested in becoming a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Addressing the SCO Plus Summit 2025 held at the Meijiang Convention Center in Tianjin this afternoon, Oli said, "Nepal, a proud Dialogue Partner since 2016, looks forward to getting admitted as a full member."
Currently, Nepal's status is a dialogue partner. Nepal has been a dialogue partner since 2016 and has been seeking to upgrade its status to either observer or full member, though geopolitical complexities have hindered this effort.
Full membership would ensure the Nepali Prime Minister's participation in every summit of this major regional bloc and facilitate direct access to leaders from China, Russia, India, Iran, and Central Asian nations.
Leaders from more than 20 countries and heads of 10 international organizations attended the SCO Plus Summit held from August 31 to September 1.
Earlier, Prime Minister Oli also held meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, Prime Minister of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh, Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.
Similarly, Oli is also scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. After attending the SCO Summit, Oli will head to Beijing to observe the military drill organized to mark the 80th Anniversary of China's Victory Against Japanese Aggression and World Anti-Fascist War.
Oli will return home on September 3, wrapping up his five-day China visit.
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