The China and Russia-led security and economic framework known as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, or SCO, has approved Iran's full membership.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired an online summit meeting on Tuesday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin were among those taking part. It was Putin's first appearance in an international conference since last month's mutiny in his country.

Modi stressed his country's efforts as the chair to strengthen cooperation among members of the framework across many fields.

India's foreign ministry later said Iran had been upgraded from observer status to full member, and that Belarus had signed a document needed to join the SCO.

Iran remains at odds with the US and other countries over its nuclear development program, while Belarus is an ally of Russia.

China and Russia apparently want to expand the framework to counter the West.

India, on the other hand, also maintains ties with the West. The country is a member of the Quad framework that includes the US, Japan and Australia.