External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is set to lead the Indian delegation to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, next week. The summit, scheduled to take place from July 3-4, will see various world leaders, including the President of Kazakhstan, China, Russia, and Pakistan. The SCO, established in 2001, comprises countries like India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, focusing on political, economic, and security cooperation. The current SCO President, Kazakhstan, took over after India hosted the summit virtually in July 2023 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has attended several SCO summits in the past, will not be attending this year’s meeting. Jaishankar’s participation is crucial as India looks to discuss key regional and international issues like economic cooperation, connectivity, and counter-terrorism. The SCO Summit is expected to lay the groundwork for multilateral cooperation and highlight India’s priorities under the vision of a ‘SECURE SCO’ focusing on security, economic ties, connectivity, unity, and environmental protection. While PM Modi will not attend in person due to parliamentary duties and strained ties with China, Jaishankar’s leadership will ensure India’s active participation and engagement at the summit. Stay tuned for updates on HeadlineFly.com for more details on the SCO Summit and India’s role in shaping regional cooperation.
