📷 Image Credits: The Times of India
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will be representing India at the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Astana next week. The summit, scheduled to take place on July 3 and 4, will focus on the regional security situation, as well as ways to enhance connectivity and trade among member countries. This decision comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has opted to skip the summit in order to visit Russia from July 8 to 9, followed by a likely trip to Austria. The Indian delegation, led by EAM S Jaishankar, is expected to delve into important issues such as the situation in Afghanistan, the Ukraine conflict, and overall security cooperation within the SCO member countries. The SCO, consisting of influential countries like India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, plays a pivotal role in economic and security matters on a transregional scale. EAM Jaishankar’s participation underscores India’s commitment to deepening security-related cooperation with the SCO. The summit is crucial in strengthening ties and addressing pressing security concerns in the region, with a spotlight on the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS). Founded in 2001, the SCO has evolved into a key platform for collaboration among its member nations, including India and Pakistan, both of which became permanent members in 2017. Stay tuned to HeadlineFly.com for updates on the outcomes of the SCO summit and India’s engagements within this vital international organisation.
