India on Friday formally applied for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), said local media.

Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj formally submitted an application for full membership to the SCO on behalf of India at the SCO Heads of State Summit 2014 meeting at Dushanbe, in Tajikistan.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said that following India's application, it is now for the SCO to take the decision on membership, said Indo-Asian News Service.

"It is our expectation that we will be able to contribute to the SCO in a better capacity once the SCO opens up its membership to other countries," he said.

"India sees the SCO as a forum where it can work regionally on several aspects, such as regional anti-terror mechanisms," said Akbaruddin.

He also said India believes it can contribute in a better capacity after gaining full membership, and also in the case of aiding in Afghanistan's development.

India currently has an observer status with the SCO.

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