BEIJING - A new memorandum was adopted at the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Wednesday, bringing the group one step closer to expansion.

After the memorandum, the group will start consultations with India, Pakistan and Iran, which have applied for full membership in the SCO.

The memorandum will lay further legal foundations for the group to take in new members, and expert panels will discuss details such as finances.