#🇱🇰

[waterpark-architect]

UNESCO World Heritage Site Ancient City of Sigiriya, Dambulla, Sri Lanka 🇱🇰

[aimeedaisies]

The Princess Royal’s Official Engagements in January 2024

04/01 With Sir Tim As Honorary President, attended the Oxford Farming Conference.

05/01 unofficial Sir Tim, as Trust President of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, visited emergency work at the Stanway Viaduct near Toddington. 🦺🚂

10/01 Princess Anne, accompanied by Sir Tim, carried out the following engagements in Colombo to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of United Kingdom-Sri Lanka Bilateral Relations;

As President of the United Kingdom Fashion and Textile Association, visited MAS Active in Katunayake. 👚

As Patron of Save the Children UK, visited the Save the Children Sri Lanka Head Office to mark its 50th Anniversary. 👧

As Patron of Save the Children UK, visited a Save the Children Sri Lanka programme at Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children. 🏥

Called upon The President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and Mrs Wickremesinghe at The President's House. 📩

Attended a Dinner given by The President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and Mrs Wickremesinghe at The President's House to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of United Kingdom-Sri Lanka Bilateral Relations. 🍽️

11/01 Princess Anne, accompanied by Sir Tim, carried out the following engagements in Kandy and Jaffna to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of United Kingdom-Sri Lanka Bilateral Relations;

Visited the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy. 🛕

Met representatives of the Tamil Community at Jaffna Public Library. 📚

Visited the Halo Trust De-mining site, the United Nations Development Programme and International Organisation for Migration Resettlement site in Muhamalai. 🧨

12/01 Princess Anne, accompanied by Sir Tim, carried out the following engagements in Colombo to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of United Kingdom-Sri Lanka Bilateral Relations;

Visited the British High Commission Office. 🇬🇧

As President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, laid a wreath at Jawatte Cemetery. 🪦

Visited Vajira Pillayar Kovil Hindu Temple 🛕

As President of the English-Speaking Union of the Commonwealth, visited the British Council. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🗣️

As President of the Mission to Seafarers, visited the Mission to Seafarers Colombo. ⛵️

Visited Hatch Works. 📆

As President of the Mission to Seafarers, attended a Key Supporters Reception at the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour. ⛪️

Attended a Reception given by the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka at the Residence in Colombo. 🍹🇬🇧🇱🇰

16/01 As Patron of Police Treatment Centres,visited Castlebrae Treatment Centre in Perth. 👮🩺

As Vice President of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, and Former Patron of the Heart of Arabia Expedition, attended a Reception at the Royal Scottish Geographical Society. 🌍

Opened the Vertical Farm Engineering Innovation Centre in Inverkeithing. 🌾⬆️

17/01 Held an Investiture at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.🎖️

As Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh, attended a Reception to mark the 60th Anniversary of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence and later opened the Institute for Regeneration and Repair at the University. 🎓🎮

As Honorary Member of the New Club attended the 70th Anniversary Amalgamation Dinner. 🍽️

18/01 As President of the UK Fashion and Textile Association, visited Advanced Clothing Solutions in Motherwell. 👗

As Patron of Citizens Advice Scotland, visited Hamilton Citizens Advice Bureau. 👩‍⚖️

23/01 Opened the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Medical Sciences at Imperial College NHS Hospital in London. 🏥

As Patron of Livability, attended the Thanksgiving Service to mark the 180th anniversary at All Hallows by the Tower. 🎂⛪️

As Royal Honorary Colonel of the University of London Officers’ Training Corps, attended the Annual Reception at Yeomanry House. 🎓🫡

24/01 On behalf of The King, held an Investiture at Windsor Castle. 🎖️

As Patron of Save the Children UK, visited the London Head Office. 👧👦

As President of the City and Guilds of London Institute, visited Cox Workshops Limited in London. 🛠️

25/01 As Royal Patron of the National Coastwatch Institution, visited Cromer Station. 🛟

As President of the Royal Yachting Association, opened Norfolk Schools Sailing Association’s new facilities at Filby Centre, Norfolk. ⛵️

As Patron of National Association of Official Prison Visitors, visited HM Prison Norwich. 🔗

30/01 As Patron of Save the Children UK, visited the Stockton Heath Charity Shop. 🛍️

Visited Jodrell Bank Observatory UNESCO World Heritage Site at the University of Manchester. 🌌🪐

As President of the Riding for the Disabled Association, opened the new Centre and Platinum Jubilee Stables at Reaseheath Equestrian College in Nantwich. 🏇🏼

31/01 Held an Investiture at Buckingham Palace.🎖️

As Royal Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, attended the 10th Anniversary Reception of the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation at Prince Philip House in London. 🏆

Total official engagements for Anne in January: 41

2024 total so far: 41

Total official engagements accompanied by Tim in January: 17

2024 total: 17

[tripandopl]

A może Sri Lanka? Spójrzcie jak piękne plaże są w tym cudownym kraju!

[yashvitours]

Lost and Found: Unveiling Sri Lanka's Charm Through Tour Packages from India

Ever dreamt of getting away from this world to a paradise located right within the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean? If you have, then stop dreaming anymore because Sri Lanka Tour Packages from India are still here waiting for your visit; with its teardrop shape on top of that. Everything is mixed up starting at green hills to temples which are as old as time itself not forgetting about clean white sandy coasts making any journey worthwhile regardless of what kind traveler one might be.

Unveiling the Tapestry: Must-Visit Places in Sri Lanka

Some popular destinations to consider when planning your trip to Sri Lanka include areas rich in history and culture as well as sites showcasing natural splendor that are equally appealing.

Cultural Delights:

Hill Station Haven:

Beach Bliss:

Finding Your Perfect Match: A Range of Tour Packages

Sri Lanka tour packages from India cater to diverse interests and budgets. Cultural Heritage Tours: Visit the historic sites and old cities of Sri Lanka, feast your eyes on cultural shows presented in a very lively manner, and learn how Buddhism is deeply imbued in this society.

Wildlife Safari Tours: Go on an exciting adventure into Yala National Park or Wilpattu National Park, Which is filled with long grass, as well as other types of animals including leopards. Find both some sloth bears as well as a variety of birds.

Ayurveda & Wellness Tours: Uncover the traditional systems of healing in Ayurveda at exceptional wellness retreats; rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul through their customary treatments; and enjoy a peaceful atmosphere around you.

Beach & Relaxation Tours: Relax at the natural beaches, enjoy the water sports and lie on the beaches where these packages are best suited for people seeking a quiet retreat.

Beyond the Tourist Trail: Hidden Gems of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has many surprises for adventurous tourists who like going to places that are not usually visited by tourists:

Knuckles Mountain Range: Stroll through this awe-inspiring mountain range, which shows off many unique plant species and animal life. Uncover concealed waterfalls, cascading rivers, and tranquil villages nestled among the hills.

Trincomalee: Stroll through this awe-inspiring mountain range, which shows off many unique plant species and animal life. Uncover concealed waterfalls, cascading rivers, and tranquil villages nestled among the hills.

Dambulla Cave Temple: Discover a system of old caverns which are adorned with detailed Buddhist murals dating back to many centuries ago. Exactly a peek into Sri Lanka, Rsquo’s flourishing art traditions is being offered by this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Crafting Memories: Why Choose a Tour Package?

Although private touring is exciting, it offers sufficient freedom but there are numerous advantages to Sri Lanka tour packages from India.

Convenience & Expertise: Travel companies are involved in making services such as dealing with visas, travel arrangements booking and organizing tours. These guides have a wide range of experience in organization of packages so as to ensure that visitors have maximum satisfaction when they visit this destination.

Tailor-Made Experiences: Travel companies are involved in making services such as dealing with visas, travel arrangements booking and organizing tours. These guides have a wide range of experience in organization of packages so as to ensure that visitors have maximum satisfaction when they visit this destination.

Conclusion: Unforgettable Experiences Await

We, at Yashvi Tours And Travels, understand that every traveler has unique desires. Travel agency in Ahmedabad offers a wide range of international holiday packages and domestic tour packages from Gandhinagar, and our expert team helps you to book flights booking in Gandhinagar that offers customized itineraries that cater to your specific interests and budget. Contact us today and let us help you discover the magic of Sri Lanka!

[xtruss]

The ‘Lion Fortress’ that was swallowed by the jungle: Known as Sigiriya, Sri Lanka 🇱🇰, this massive fifth-century fortress was swallowed by a forest—a secret known only to the locals—until the 19th century. After British historians uncovered its astonishing buildings and frescoes, its rich history was revealed. Where is it? Photograph By Philippe Michel/ Age FotoStock

[prasadonline]

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝟕𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲 🇱🇰 #SriLanka #lka #76thindependenceday

[culmaer]

reblog to try reach as many non-Americans as possible

they're the majority demographic on this site so it's inevitable, but let's try get some balance

countries were included based on Commonwealth membership, and whether English is an official and/or predominant language according to Wikipedia.

[gajan-r-offl]

[herpsandbirds]

Black Baza (Aviceda leuphotes), family Accipitridae, order Accipitriformes, Cambodia

photograph by ℕ𝕚𝕣𝕠𝕤𝕙𝕒𝕟 𝕊𝕚𝕝𝕧𝕒 🇱🇰

[tinagodiva]

Sigiriya, Sri Lanka 🇱🇰

[tonycries]

Some answers are written in the stars. Others, you must ask to know.

How do you make your text/ titles gradient?

Patorjk’s Text Color Fader!! My life-saver frfr, I just use the steps of the tutorial provided here <3 However, this unfortunately can’t be done on mobile 😔

Where do you find the manga panels for your headers?

I usually find the panels and/ or titles on mangacap account on Twitter (eg. HornetPills, FAKKU, and lewdxvisuals). Most of my headers are from → “Lady K & The Sick Man”, “Infiltration! Agent on the Edge”, and “Hachisuka’s Family Kotoribako.”

How do you make your headers?

On Canva! I did a tutorial for getting that colorful ombré look right here <3

Where do you make your memes/ get those silly reaction pics?

I make all my memes on imgflip, and the unhinged pics - including the infamous werewolf ones - are mainly from Pinterest and stan Twitter. 

What are your writing tips?

Here are the writing tips n' quirks that work most often for me, and here is for if you want something more practical/ to help with writer's block!!

What fandoms do you write for/ have you written for?

Currently, only JJK - but if you checkout my first masterlist you'll see that I have written for a lil' bit of AOT and Haikyuu.

What is your posting schedule?

9:30PM - 10PM EST on Wednesdays and Sundays for my fics; and you’ll usually catch me answering asks from 1:30PM onwards and 11:30PM onwards the rest of those days. Tiny reminder though that I don’t answer asks on days I post my writing and for 24 hours beforehand (ya girl will be busy typing away something diabolical 😩.)

Why did you miss a posting day?

I try very, very hard not too n’ I miss a posting day very rarely - I promise!! 99% of the time it’s because I’m super sick, though, and I’ll let you babygirls know prior to that. Dw, I almost always bounce back on schedule for the next posting day <3

Are you taking requests at the moment?

Noooope!! Sorry lovelies, but requests are closed. I do take suggestions and thirsts where I’ll just brainstorm or add on to the idea if I really like it, however. Something that looks like this or this.

Where are you from?

Sri Lankan through n’ through rahhh 🇱🇰 Feel free to yap with me in my inbox about it!

What is your gender/ what are your pronouns?

I’m a girlie n’ I go by she/her pronouns yup yup 😌 

So then, why does everyone call you “daddy Tony”?

I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHERE IT STARTED BUT DADDY TONY IS SIMPLY DADDY TONY 😈 DOESN’T MATTER THE GENDER 😈😈 (+ Tony is just what everyone irl calls me too so.)

If that makes you uncomfortable though, you can always call me simply Tony without the daddy part, or Toe knee, or Toenail, or mommy Toenail- you get the point. My lovely babygirls love to make up a lot of names for me n’ I haven’t heard one that doesn’t make me CACKLE just yet 😭

Why do you call your followers “babygirls”?

Ah, I’m daddy Tony and you all are just my babygirls heheh. It started off as a joke at first because I tend to start most of my announcements with “bonjour babygirls” even irl, but it eventually just grew to me referring to all my gorgeous followers as Tony’s Cult of Babygirls - took a page out of Geto’s book there.

I also tend to sift through a variety of pet names when responding to individual asks/ comments - like sweetheart, lovely, ml, gorgeous. etc. Do let me know straight-up if this makes you uncomfortable, because using those is simply my default.

Why didn’t you respond to the thing I tagged you in?

*SOBS* I’m saur sorry about that, I get tagged in a lot of things so either my notifications were clogged n’ I didn’t get it, or I simply missed it amongst everything. I love responding to things y’all tag me in, though - so send me an ask to double check!!

Did you see my ask or was it eaten up – you haven’t answered yet?

Pinky-promise daddy Tony’s not ignoring you!! If I haven’t responded to an ask, it’s usually one of these reasons: 

I get a LOOOT of asks daily - and while I do try my best to respond to every single one - I might take some time to get to yours. Please, please, please don’t send a follow-up ask about your previous one unless it’s really, really important, or until it’s been two weeks since I haven’t responded. That only adds more to my inbox, and I do answer before it reaches that point.

I might have gotten an ask that was very similar to yours, n’ responded to that one instead of both.

Your ask went against my rules/ it was a request (because my requests are closed, most asks like that end up written down in a doc I have. But they won’t be publicly answered until requests open up/ I just decide to write it.) Again: Thirsts and suggestions are completely okay – just no requests!

Your question was already answered in my FAQ - in that case, yippee I hope you got your answer, lovely <3

Sometimes my asks actually get eaten up by this site, and I apologize for that 😔 Like I said, if it’s been two weeks then please do resend me the ask!!

Who are the anons that you have right now?

🧃, 🐹, 🐁, 🔮, 🪦, 🍙, toji titties anon, ⛸️, scribbler anon, 🌳, ♍, medicine major anon, gojo big cock gagger anon, 🫃, 🗣️🩰, <3 anon, orgy anon, 🐝, marketing major anon, 🫶🏻💕, 🧋, 🐠, 🐛, 🗣️🎬‼️, 😼, 🐇, ✏️, 🪶🧠, 🌸, 👀, 🧝🏽, 🌦️, 🌺, 🍭, 🌙, 🔔❤️⚙️, 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓴 anon, neuroscience anon, 🎀💄, 🫐, 💋, 🦴, 🦎, 🦩, 🌱, 🫀, 🍓, CJ anon, 🐨, 🦤, 🐚, 💃, 🦇, 🌛, 🪼, 💤, 🍫, ⭐, 😈, spooky sweet tea anon, 🧠, 🧌, 🗣️, 🐄, corpse goon anon, 🦐, tiny anon, 🌟🦈, 💧, 🎱, 🦢, dewdrop anon, 🍵, 🥗, 🥠, :) anon, 🥥, 🐩, 🌝, 🪽🦦, (⁠≧⁠▽⁠≦⁠) anon, silly anon, jester anon, 🐡, 🎀,  anon H, Marchailina, 👟, horny anon, b. anon, 🍰, 🪢, 🦚, lads anon, lads anon #2, 😻, 💐, 🐢, 🍣, 🃏, ex Nanami-hater anon, ovulating anon, 🐼, 🐜, 🦗, 🚀, vet major anon, 😔, 🐦, void anon, 🦢🐚, gojo convertee anon, therapist gojo anon, 💗, 🧸, 🍄, 🐾🐕, ✨🍀, 🐦‍⬛, lawnmower anon, Nanami’s 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓴 anon, 🕷️, 🍞, Nanami anon, ☀️🪵, reading sesh anon, 🐸, 🏵️, 🍄😈, 🪨🧍, law student anon, 🦶, 🔖, 🪞, 🍯, 💌, 🎧, 🪐, 🫆, Hoyoverse anon, 🐈, 🐮, 👅🍑

Why do you scare me?

I promise I don't bite unless asked to!!

[copal-sq]

スリランカ🇱🇰旅が続きます。

うーん…更新サボり気味www

このままだと年内に出し切れるかどうか。

とりあえず有名どころ

ダンブッラの黄金寺院でも貼っときます😊

夕方に行ったからか貸し切り状態。

丘の上にある石窟は圧巻でした。

→→→→→

Sub blog : こぱるこっきんぐ

https://copal-xxx.tumblr.com/

[tripandopl]

Sri Lanka to nie tylko malownicze plaże, ale również przepiękna natura! Spójrzcie jak cudowny krajobraz zastaniecie na miejscu!

[lorarri]

★ . . . 𝐂𝐑𝐀𝐙𝐘 𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐇 𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐒 , 𝐅𝟏 𝐆𝐑𝐈𝐃

summary , a series where asian readers, from all over, are showcased and appreciated because they deserve to be loved, respected, and treated like queens

inspired by , amar x100pre by @f1version

status , ongoing

main masterlist | f1 masterlist | f1 grid masterlist

🇦🇫 YOU HATE CUZ YOU AIN'T , oscar piastri

🇦🇲 DOWN SOUTH , lando norris

🇦🇿 KILLER COOKIES , charles leclerc

🇧🇭 STALKER! , max verstappen

🇧🇩 ONLINE LOVE , max verstappen

🇧🇹 THE MOTHERLAND , lewis hamilton

🇧🇳 SULTAN'S SON IN LAW , alex albon

🇲🇲 MEET THE FAM , carlos sainz

🇰🇭 WEDDING OF DREAMS , lando norris

🇨🇳 SO HAWT , f1 grid

🇬🇪 WINNING DRIVE , f1 grid

🇭🇰 THE ART OF CURSING IN CANTONESE , max verstappen

🇮🇳 MAIN TERA BOYFRIEND , logan sargent x fem! gf! reader

🇮🇩 NEW YEARS KISS , lando norris

🇮🇷 VELOCITY OF LOVE , lewis hamilton

🇮🇶 SPICES OF LIFE , yuki tsunoda

🇯🇵 BOW DOWN , winter break in full swing and lewis takes a trip to the land of the rising sun and leaves with the heart of there darling princess

🇯🇴 TOUR LIFE , logan sargent

🇰🇿 JUST DANCE THE KARA ZHORGA , daniel ricciardo

🇰🇼 SUGAR BABY , lando norris

🇱🇧 10 YEARS IN THE MAKING , pierre gasly

🇲🇾 PRESIDENTIAL ANNOUCEMENT , a secret that has been hidden for 2 years finally is revealed and the people couldn't be happier with the out come

🇲🇳 QUICK LERNER , lando norris

🇳🇵I THINK THEY KNOW , charles leclerc

🇴🇲 NOBODY BETTER , lance stroll

🇵🇰 LOVE AT FIRST ROTI , max verstappen

🇵🇸 PROUD OF MY HERITAGE , a fast passed romance has the world captivated as secrets are shared and kept but they eventually all come out in the end

🇵🇬 UNDER THE BAR LIGHTS , carlos sainz

🇵🇭 MY PERFECT PERSON , charles leclerc

🇶🇦 HEATED , charles leclerc

🇸🇦 DAD DOSEN'T APPROVE , toto wolff

🇸🇬 CAN'T BEAT THEM BUY THEM , mick schumacher

🇰🇷 DISPARCH WATCH , the princess of kpop is on hiatus japan with a special someone but people are in denial until they publicly confirm it

🇱🇰 BAD B FROM , lando norris

🇸🇾 EXCUSE MOI , charles leclerc

🇹🇼 NEVER TRUST THE AMERICAN , oscar piastri

🇹🇭 LIGHTS, CAMERA, SPEED! , max verstappen

🇹🇷 SCENE FROM A MOVIE , sebastian vettle

🇦🇪 RULERS OF THE WORLD , max verstappen

🇺🇿 THE BRAID SITUATION , liam lawson

🇻🇳 CULTURE THE WHITE MAN , f1 grid

🇾🇪 FORCED WINTER BONDING , charles leclerc

[xtruss]

From Arctic to Indian Ocean: Global Transformations Boost SCO Growth

© Sputnik/Zafar Khalilov/Go to the Mediabank

The number of applications for membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is growing, which makes it possible for the entity to expand its global outreach, said Alexander Knyazev, head of the regional branch of the Moscow-based CIS Institute think tank.

The global system of international relations has been undergoing transformation, opening the door to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's (SCO) rise as a global actor, according to Alexander Knyazev.

On July 4, the Islamic Republic of Iran became a full-fledged SCO member. It is expected that Belarus will gain this status in 2024. Prior to Iran's accession, the organization consisted of eight permanent members, namely, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan; and nine dialogue partners – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Turkiye, Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

According to Bakhtiyor Khakimov, special representative of the president of the Russian Federation for SCO affairs, the number of applications to join the SCO is growing.

"The objective conditions for turning [the SCO] into an effective organization, whose influence would go far beyond the territory of its member countries, currently exist," Knyazev told Sputnik. "Everything depends, first of all, on the political will of the leadership of these countries. (…) The number of participating countries and an even wider range of countries wishing to join, or having the status of an observer country, dialogue partner, simply striving to be involved in the SCO, all this quantitative content brings the organization closer to the need to determine its qualitative characteristics."

Iran Joins SCO: A Political Signal to the West! In a move that has caught attention of global observers, Iran has officially joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a Eurasian political, economic, and security organization, as announced in the New Delhi Declaration of the SCO Heads of State Council on Tuesday, July 4th, 2023.

"The first reason is political. Although the SCO is positioned as an economic organization, it operates with a multipolar approach," the expert explained.

"Iran's accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a significant and expanding alliance that is gaining strength on the global political stage and will undoubtedly have a growing influence on international politics, sends a political message to the West and the United States," Shoaib Bahman, head of the Institute for Strategic Researchers in the Contemporary World (Tehran) and an Iranian expert on Russian and Eurasian affairs, told Sputnik.

"The economic and political potential of the SCO members is considerable, and with Iran's membership, it will only increase. Iran's inclusion in the SCO offers good prospects for strengthening the organization's security and enhancing cultural ties within it," the expert said.

Mojtaba Jelalzadeh, an Iranian expert on international politics, expressed his views on Iran's entry into the SCO, saying that it carries important messages for both the region and the world.

"The first message is that the Islamic Republic's policy is oriented toward the East, with the Western vector significantly diminished compared to the not-so-distant past," he told Sputnik.

"Second, strengthening trade and economic ties within the SCO framework will allow the Islamic Republic to find effective ways to bypass American sanctions," he added.

"Finally, with Iran’s membership in the SCO, the organization will gain another regional power, thus continuing the struggle against a unipolar world," Jelalzadeh concluded.

— Tuesday July 4th, 2023

In this sense, Iran's admission has brought a new dimension to the organization given the Islamic Republic's role in the broad Eurasian region from the Middle East to the Pacific coast, as well as its strong positions in Africa and influence in a number of Latin American countries, according to Knyazev.

He highlighted that Iran's participation in the SCO could have a considerable impact on further processes within the entity. It could enrich the SCO's activities in terms of ensuring security in a wide region from the Indian Ocean to the Arctic, and from southeast Europe to Southeast Asia, as per the expert. He particularly referred to the Iranian, Russian and Chinese joint naval exercises in the Gulf of Oman and in the surrounding waters, which began in December 2019 and have already turned into a regular event.

"Iran is an interesting example of how a country, until recently qualified as a regional power, is moving steadily towards claiming the status of a great power," the scholar said. "Today, a huge number of international processes cannot undergo without Iran's participation, since either its direct influence on these processes or the potential for such influence are obvious. Iran plays an extremely important role in the processes taking place in the Middle East, the Caucasus, the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean basin, less, but significantly - in the Mediterranean (...) Although the country suffers serious damage from Western sanctions, it has shown over years that it can be self-sufficient, and this self-sufficiency, in turn, provides an absolutely independent position in world politics."

SCO Emerging as Cornerstone of New Multipolar World!

"In general, today, even without the inclusion of new players in the SCO, [the organization] has already become the most important structure of the world order, of a multifaceted multipolar world," Dr. Stanislav Pritchin, a senior research fellow at the Center for Post-Soviet Studies at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations told Sputnik. "In my opinion, there is a huge potential for creating financial infrastructure, because we all see how the dependence on Western international financial organizations, infrastructure, and the exchange of banking information affects the cooperation of states even within the SCO. (…) We need to create our own infrastructure, our own reserve currencies, regional ones, and create opportunities for trade, regardless of external players. And in this regard, the potential of the SCO, of course, is huge, taking into account the economic potential of China, India, and Russia's other partners."

"When it comes to Iran's accession to the SCO, the crux of the matter is that Iran has long wanted to join the organization, and only now it has happened," continued Pritchin. "This is a direct consequence of both Russia's special military operation [in Ukraine] and the serious deterioration of US-Chinese relations. Now the countries of the region, the SCO member states, in principle, make decisions without regard for the position and opinion of Western countries. And this shows the subjectivity and independence of this organization. From the point of view of the SCO's potential, the involvement of Iran is a very important development, because a major power of 80 million people is a serious player in the field of security, our partner in [the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC)], in the security system in the Caspian Sea, an important economic partner. In this vein, of course, Iran's accession is a very important stage in the expansion and strengthening of the SCO, its military and economic potential."

"However, the fact that there are three SCO members among the top ten economies – China, India and Russia – and a whole cohort of other major powers with significant contributions to GDP on the world stage [is of utmost importance]. We see that in terms of economic weight, political weight, [the SCO] is the most representative organization in Eurasia. And this is the largest organization in the world in terms of geographical presence and economic presence in terms of the composition of the population of the participants in this organization," Pritchin concluded.

Will SCO Become New United Nations for Non-Western World? The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a Eurasian political, economic, and security bloc founded in 2001, has great potential to become a United Nations for the non-Western world, according to Robinder Sachdev, geopolitical and economic diplomacy analyst and founder president of the Imagindia Institute.

"If the SCO wants to make a meaningful impact worldwide, then the boldest path is for it to transform itself into a new-age global organization," Robinder Sachdev told Sputnik India. "The SCO has the historic opportunity to become the modern, ideal, mini-United Nations of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Such a globalized SCO can have membership of non-USA, non-European nations, with doors later also open for Western nations to join. Patterned by the UN, the norms and practices of the SCO should be equitable, democratic, and will be based on the reality of the 21st century."

Currently, the organization consists of eight permanent members, namely, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan; and nine dialogue partners – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Turkiye, Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

"Iran’s accession to the SCO is certainly a welcome step," said Sachdev. "It will help the SCO block countries to better address issues of connectivity and trade, and regional development in general. It is a good opportunity for Iran to counter Western pressure, avoid isolation, and engage with its regional partners." "[Iran] needs to use its transit potential to generate revenues and also decrease its dependence on hydrocarbon exports," Sharma told Sputnik. "Iran can earn up to 20 billion dollars if it can use its potential as a transit for trade corridors. The Iran and Saudi deal has paved the way for fewer tensions between these arch rivals. Iran enjoys good relations with SCO countries which is one of the reasons why it wanted to join the SCO."

The SCO is at a very important, but still transitory stage, of its development, when its significance can only be assessed hypothetically, according to Knyazev. Different countries still have different expectations from the SCO, which just emphasizes that full certainty has not yet been achieved, he believes.

"I think that the ongoing global transformation of the entire world system of international relations should become a catalyst for self determination of the SCO. And it cannot be ruled out that from some point, the SCO will be perceived not as a regional structure, but as a significant world actor," the scholar concluded.

— Ekaterina Blinova, Sputnik international, Tuesday July 4th, 2023