India poised to join Shanghai grouping

To promote regional connectivity :

Kazakhstan: The six-nation Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which could play an important role in stabilising Afghanistan after the drawdown of foreign troops, opened its doors for India’s membership at its 10th anniversary summit being celebrated in the heart of the Great Steppes on Wednesday.

Besides Afghanistan, India feels an expanded SCO could encourage Pakistan to weed out terror outfits based on its soil as well as promote connectivity that in turn could boost economic activity. The Hindu