Russia allegedly supported India in preventing Azerbaijan's membership bid within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as per Azerbaijan's claims.

The Caucasus region is currently undergoing significant changes, and independent journalism in the region is facing various threats. One of the recent developments that have added to the region's turbulence is the rejection of Azerbaijan's bid to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

The SCO summit, held in Tianjin, China, in September, saw the participation of other dialogue partners such as Armenia and Azerbaijan. However, it was India that took the lead in blocking Azerbaijan's bid, with Russia remaining in the background. Reports suggest that Russia may have played a role in India's decision, although the specifics of this role remain unclear.

India's move has been perceived as disrespectful towards China, as Beijing has supported Azerbaijan's membership. This decision comes at a low point in Azerbaijan's ties with Russia, fueled by the deadly crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) flight in December 2024, which Baku has blamed on Russian air defence. Another contributing factor is the deaths of two ethnic Azerbaijanis during a Russian police raid in Yekaterinburg in June 2025.

The rejection of Azerbaijan's SCO bid has escalated criticism in Azerbaijani media, with Caliber publishing a rebuke on Monday titled 'Bollywood grudge: Revenge instead of a future strategy'. In response to these challenges, a newsroom powered by readers is being built to provide unbiased and independent coverage of the region's events.

Pakistan simultaneously blocked Armenia's membership bid to the SCO, despite the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. These events highlight the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the Caucasus region and the challenges independent journalism faces in reporting on them.

As the region continues to evolve, it is crucial that independent journalism thrives to provide accurate and unbiased information to the public. The ongoing tensions between countries in the Caucasus region, such as Azerbaijan and India, underscore the importance of this mission.