India’s support for China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was once again visibly absent at the declaration issued at the end of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), becoming the only country to not support the project.

Though the infrastructure project was endorsed by Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, the final declaration did not feature India’s name.

“Reaffirming their support for China's 'Belt and Road Initiative'&nbsp;(BRI) initiative, the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Russian Federation, Republic of Tajikistan and Republic of Uzbekistan note the ongoing work to jointly implement this project, including efforts to link the construction of the Eurasian Economic Union and BRI,” the declaration read.

"They spoke in favour of implementing the Roadmap for a gradual increase in the share of national currencies in mutual settlements by the interested member States," it added.

On earlier occasions as well, India did not endorse the BRI initiative, while other member countries were supportive of it.

<h2>Why India opposes BRI?</h2>

One of the major reasons why India doesn’t support BRI is because one of the parts of the project, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), passes through the Indian territories occupied illegally by Pakistan.

<h2>Virtual Summit chaired by Indian PM Modi as Putin, Xi, Sharif attend&nbsp;</h2>

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The arm of the BRI project that links mainland China to the Arabian Sea runs from Kashgar in China’s Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region to Gwadar Port in southwestern Baluchistan in Pakistan. The project enters Indian territory occupied by Pakistan in&nbsp;Gilgit Baltistan and traverses the entire length of Pakistan from north to south before reaching the Arabian Sea.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-sco-summit-vladimir-putin-calls-for-trading-in-local-currencies-to-blunt-western-sanctions-611896">SCO: Putin calls for trading in local currencies to blunt western sanctions</a>

Earlier in the day, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the need for boosting connectivity but stressed that it is essential to respect the basic principles of the SCO charter, especially the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states while making such efforts.

The summit, chaired by Modi, was joined by Chinese President Xi Jinping, his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other leaders of the grouping.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/at-virtual-sco-meet-modi-mentions-five-pillars-of-organisations-vision-611705">At virtual SCO summit, Modi mentions five pillars of organisation's vision; condemns terrorism in any form</a>

The declaration also focused on Afghanistan whereby the member states believed that one of the most important factors for the preservation and strengthening of safety and stability within the SCO region is the "early settlement" of the situation in Afghanistan.

"They advocate building Afghanistan as an independent, neutral, united, democratic and peaceful state, free from terrorism, war and drugs," it said.

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India’s support for China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was once again visibly absent at the declaration issued at the end of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), becoming the only country to not support the project.

India’s support for China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was once again visibly absent at the declaration issued at the end of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), becoming the only country to not support the project. Though the infrastructure project was endorsed by Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, the final declaration did not feature India’s name. “Reaffirming their support for China's 'Belt and Road Initiative' (BRI) initiative, the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Russian Federation, Republic of Tajikistan and Republic of Uzbekistan note the ongoing work to jointly implement this project, including efforts to link the construction of the Eurasian Economic Union and BRI,” the declaration read. "They spoke in favour of implementing the Roadmap for a gradual increase in the share of national currencies in mutual settlements by the interested member States," it added. On earlier occasions as well, India did not endorse the BRI initiative, while other member countries were supportive of it. Why India opposes BRI? One of the major reasons why India doesn’t support BRI is because one of the parts of the project, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), passes through the Indian territories occupied illegally by Pakistan. Virtual Summit chaired by Indian PM Modi as Putin, Xi, Sharif attend The arm of the BRI project that links mainland China to the Arabian Sea runs from Kashgar in China’s Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region to Gwadar Port in southwestern Baluchistan in Pakistan. The project enters Indian territory occupied by Pakistan in Gilgit Baltistan and traverses the entire length of Pakistan from north to south before reaching the Arabian Sea. Also read | SCO: Putin calls for trading in local currencies to blunt western sanctions Earlier in the day, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the need for boosting connectivity but stressed that it is essential to respect the basic principles of the SCO charter, especially the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states while making such efforts. The summit, chaired by Modi, was joined by Chinese President Xi Jinping, his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other leaders of the grouping. Also read | At virtual SCO summit, Modi mentions five pillars of organisation's vision; condemns terrorism in any form The declaration also focused on Afghanistan whereby the member states believed that one of the most important factors for the preservation and strengthening of safety and stability within the SCO region is the "early settlement" of the situation in Afghanistan. "They advocate building Afghanistan as an independent, neutral, united, democratic and peaceful state, free from terrorism, war and drugs," it said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

India once again opposes China's Belt and Road Initiative in SCO joint statement

It was announced early this week that the 22nd Summit of the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Summit) Council of heads of State will be held in virtual mode. Putin, Xi and Sharif will be attending the summit, to be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India has already invited other leaders of all the SCO States - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan to attend the summit. Being the Chair, India has already hosted a series of more than 134 meetings, including 14 ministerial-level meetings setting the stage for the heads of state summit to take place.

Earlier the defence ministers' meeting was also summed up by discussing regional peace and security among member countries and promoting an effective multilateral setting stage. Keeping in view the joint chairmanship of India in two major multilateral forums - G20 and SCO this year, the opportune moment for India to use its diplomatic capital to ensure peace and stability in the region cannot be ignored, vis-a-vis China and Russia’s membership in both these forums.

But there are some challenges that New Delhi has to navigate through while dealing with its positionality in SCO, which is a ‘strange beast’ indeed.

India’s growth within SCO from an observer to a full member in the Asthana Summit, 2017 reinforces the role India can play within the bloc. India from its very inception has supported and crystallised the core agenda of SCO on terrorism and has shared its commitment to maintaining regional connectivity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty.

SCO has been a useful platform with respect to being a forum to discuss matters on security, defence, terrorism, drug trade, etc, and to provide democratic solutions to restore peace and economic security in conflict-stricken regions.

But it has to be borne in mind that the very conception of SCO, was a reaction to the growing American dominance in Central Asian politics after the end of the Cold War. Moscow and Beijing largely wanted to preserve the economic and geopolitical opportunities in Central Asia and created SCO as an anti-thesis of NATO in a post-Soviet global order.

India’s entry within the fold remains largely strategic, considering the fluctuating relationship it had with Washington in the early 2000s. This was also the time when regional alternatives like BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) were conceptualised, as a significant political balance between Russia and China, for India’s regional stability. In 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi coined the acronym SECURE in Qingdao, China which now is the very theme of its SCO chairmanship reflecting the concerns of contemporary regional security.

This current summit has a crucial timing, with respect to global security challenges like the Russia-Ukraine war, larger obstacles on energy security and the latest mutiny against Moscow by the Wagner Private Military Company. Russia, being an aggressor in the Eurasian conflict has faced restrictions on its invitation status in many multilateral forums, right after the International Criminal Court issued a warrant against Putin alleged of committing war crimes. Under this context, SCO will be a certain place, where Putin will have a considerable diplomatic place to refurbish his “strongman” image which has lately faced a hit with the mercenary coup against him, under the leadership of former ally Yevgeny Prigozhin.

India’s footprint in SCO has been aligned with its pragmatic positionality with respect to Russia vis -a vis China. Considering that Sino-India relations have been abnormal with increasing unpredictability of Chinese forces along the LAC in the last couple of months, this is a good reason to navigate the SCO summit with sustainable strategies to topple the China-Pakistan axis and shape the agenda on terrorism and extremism, and New Delhi’s closeness with Russia at the moment will be key to that agenda shaping.

China has pursued its ambitions through SCO very actively, with its highly marketed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI ) to situate itself very strategically within Central Asia and be present in the transaction point of Asia and Europe. This has been an Indian concern about its sovereignty across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and has been vehemently finding an alternative through the ambitious International North South Corridor Project linking the Baltic Sea with western Indian ports in the Arabian Sea.

Pakistan has been obstructing India’s interests with its refusal to allow energy connectivity projects like&nbsp;The Turkmenistan -Afghanistan -Pakistan -India (TAPI ) Pipeline to go through its region. New Delhi can very well negotiate through SCO, the expansion of the INSTC, including the Chabahar Port and making a growing influence in the region. India , therefore, needs to leverage its relationship currently with Russia and other CAR countries to effectively steer the China-Pakistan axis and position its diplomatic clout for the larger stability of the highly contested Eurasian region.

India has currently proposed the New Delhi declaration and four other joint statements on issues like de-radicalisation in the region, promotion of millets and sustainable development lifestyles, addressing climate change and digital transformation.

India in order to leverage its chairmanship in SCO and push the above mentioned priorities, will have to deal with the growing closeness of Russia and China and the ever present China-Pakistan axis, which will have a significant impact on India’s potential to shape the SCO agenda for the future.

The SCO , just like other multilateral forums, is facing a power change with global south leaderships and challenging the larger balance of power. India has crucial interests in keeping the Eurasian region stable and its evolving positionality within SCO will be best suited to continue its efforts in alignment with the SCO bedrock i.e strengthening and promoting the region’s security prospects.

In an era of multilateralism, SCO can be effectively used as a unique forum to meet these common challenges and address larger geopolitical concerns. India’s presidency thus remains a critical moment to navigate through these complex geostrategic challenges and produce tangible results.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

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It was announced early this week that the 22nd Summit of the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Summit) Council of heads of State will be held in virtual mode. Putin, Xi and Sharif will be attending the summit, to be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

It was announced early this week that the 22nd Summit of the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Summit) Council of heads of State will be held in virtual mode. Putin, Xi and Sharif will be attending the summit, to be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India has already invited other leaders of all the SCO States - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan to attend the summit. Being the Chair, India has already hosted a series of more than 134 meetings, including 14 ministerial-level meetings setting the stage for the heads of state summit to take place. Earlier the defence ministers' meeting was also summed up by discussing regional peace and security among member countries and promoting an effective multilateral setting stage. Keeping in view the joint chairmanship of India in two major multilateral forums - G20 and SCO this year, the opportune moment for India to use its diplomatic capital to ensure peace and stability in the region cannot be ignored, vis-a-vis China and Russia’s membership in both these forums. But there are some challenges that New Delhi has to navigate through while dealing with its positionality in SCO, which is a ‘strange beast’ indeed. India’s growth within SCO from an observer to a full member in the Asthana Summit, 2017 reinforces the role India can play within the bloc. India from its very inception has supported and crystallised the core agenda of SCO on terrorism and has shared its commitment to maintaining regional connectivity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty. SCO has been a useful platform with respect to being a forum to discuss matters on security, defence, terrorism, drug trade, etc, and to provide democratic solutions to restore peace and economic security in conflict-stricken regions. But it has to be borne in mind that the very conception of SCO, was a reaction to the growing American dominance in Central Asian politics after the end of the Cold War. Moscow and Beijing largely wanted to preserve the economic and geopolitical opportunities in Central Asia and created SCO as an anti-thesis of NATO in a post-Soviet global order. India’s entry within the fold remains largely strategic, considering the fluctuating relationship it had with Washington in the early 2000s. This was also the time when regional alternatives like BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) were conceptualised, as a significant political balance between Russia and China, for India’s regional stability. In 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi coined the acronym SECURE in Qingdao, China which now is the very theme of its SCO chairmanship reflecting the concerns of contemporary regional security. This current summit has a crucial timing, with respect to global security challenges like the Russia-Ukraine war, larger obstacles on energy security and the latest mutiny against Moscow by the Wagner Private Military Company. Russia, being an aggressor in the Eurasian conflict has faced restrictions on its invitation status in many multilateral forums, right after the International Criminal Court issued a warrant against Putin alleged of committing war crimes. Under this context, SCO will be a certain place, where Putin will have a considerable diplomatic place to refurbish his “strongman” image which has lately faced a hit with the mercenary coup against him, under the leadership of former ally Yevgeny Prigozhin. India’s footprint in SCO has been aligned with its pragmatic positionality with respect to Russia vis -a vis China. Considering that Sino-India relations have been abnormal with increasing unpredictability of Chinese forces along the LAC in the last couple of months, this is a good reason to navigate the SCO summit with sustainable strategies to topple the China-Pakistan axis and shape the agenda on terrorism and extremism, and New Delhi’s closeness with Russia at the moment will be key to that agenda shaping. China has pursued its ambitions through SCO very actively, with its highly marketed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI ) to situate itself very strategically within Central Asia and be present in the transaction point of Asia and Europe. This has been an Indian concern about its sovereignty across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and has been vehemently finding an alternative through the ambitious International North South Corridor Project linking the Baltic Sea with western Indian ports in the Arabian Sea. Pakistan has been obstructing India’s interests with its refusal to allow energy connectivity projects like The Turkmenistan -Afghanistan -Pakistan -India (TAPI ) Pipeline to go through its region. New Delhi can very well negotiate through SCO, the expansion of the INSTC, including the Chabahar Port and making a growing influence in the region. India , therefore, needs to leverage its relationship currently with Russia and other CAR countries to effectively steer the China-Pakistan axis and position its diplomatic clout for the larger stability of the highly contested Eurasian region. India has currently proposed the New Delhi declaration and four other joint statements on issues like de-radicalisation in the region, promotion of millets and sustainable development lifestyles, addressing climate change and digital transformation. India in order to leverage its chairmanship in SCO and push the above mentioned priorities, will have to deal with the growing closeness of Russia and China and the ever present China-Pakistan axis, which will have a significant impact on India’s potential to shape the SCO agenda for the future. The SCO , just like other multilateral forums, is facing a power change with global south leaderships and challenging the larger balance of power. India has crucial interests in keeping the Eurasian region stable and its evolving positionality within SCO will be best suited to continue its efforts in alignment with the SCO bedrock i.e strengthening and promoting the region’s security prospects. In an era of multilateralism, SCO can be effectively used as a unique forum to meet these common challenges and address larger geopolitical concerns. India’s presidency thus remains a critical moment to navigate through these complex geostrategic challenges and produce tangible results. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India’s SCO Presidency: Navigating geostrategic challenges for regional stability

Ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit next week, the Uzbekistan Ambassador to India Dilshod Akhatov has said that Tashkent supports events and initiatives under India's SCO presidency.

Speaking to WION’s diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, ambassador Akhatov said, “The ongoing Indian Presidency of the SCO has shown that the Organisation is transforming into one of cultural-humanitarian and transport-economic cooperation.”&nbsp;India became a member of the grouping in 2017, and for the first time is chairing the group. It will be holding a virtual summit of the grouping on July 4.&nbsp;

The ambassador explained that SCO is a “key platform for India's interaction with Central Asia” and added, “SCO is a key platform for India's interaction with Central Asia.”

Iran will become a full member of the grouping during this year’s summit. Uzbekistan was the previous chair of the grouping and hosted the summit in Samarkand in September of 2022.

WION: How do you see the SCO Presidency of India?

Dilshod Akhatov: India, during its Presidency, also paid special attention to promoting partnerships in various fields, building trust and cooperation among the members of the Organization. International events under the Indian Chairmanship, in their essence and content, covered all key areas of relations between the countries of the region: economy, tourism, education, science, medicine, culture, etc. I remember well such events as the SCO Film Festival, SCO Cultural Showcase at the Surajkund Mela, the International Fusion Music Festival, conferences of young scientists, specialists in traditional medicine, discussion of start-up projects and much more. Tashkent supports India's initiatives put forward during these events. In general, the ongoing Indian presidency of the SCO has shown that the Organization is transforming into cultural-humanitarian and transport-economic cooperation. This approach undoubtedly serves to bring the SCO Member States closer together, reinforce mutual trust and respect with partner countries, and to ease tensions and build good neighbourly relations between countries with which they have clashes of interest. This approach will remain on the foreign policy agenda of the SCO Member States in the near future. First time, India has led this dynamically developing international structure, thereby starting a cycle of chairmanship with the participation of its new member states within the framework of the SCO.

WION: How do you see SCO as a platform that brings together, India and Central Asia?

Dilshod Akhatov: It is also very important for us that the SCO is a key platform for India's interaction with Central Asia. In the prospects for the development of mutually beneficial cooperation, interconnectedness plays a special role. As you know, connectivity has emerged as a crucial factor in promoting economic integration and fostering regional cooperation. The SCO, comprising eight Member States, recognizes the significance of connectivity in achieving its goals of regional stability, economic development, and people-to-people exchanges. I would like to recall that at the last SCO summit in Samarkand, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on the SCO member countries to provide transit access to each other and spoke in favour of expanding cooperation to ensure the sustainability of supply chains for the region. In this sense, the importance of efforts to use the port of Chabahar in Iran, a country that is also becoming a full member of the Organization, is multiplied. As noted by the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev in his speech at the “Voice of Global South” Summit in January 2023, our country fully supports the development of the “North-South” international corridor, which is one of the leading transport arteries in the Eurasian region and also promoted by India.

WION: You were the previous President of the grouping, so how do you view the initiatives taken under your Presidency?

Dilshod Akhatov: For Uzbekistan, this is also significant in that Delhi took over the Chairmanship from Tashkent. During the Presidency of our country last year, more than 80 major international events were successfully held at various levels. Despite the fact that this was the first Presidency of the SCO for India, the country has organized over 100 important events covering all facets of cooperation that are on the Organization's agenda. The SCO summit took place in Samarkand in 2022. As the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized, historically Samarkand has been a melting pot of ideas and knowledge. Overall, in the 22nd Summit of the Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in September 2022 in Samarkand, the Heads of States approved a lot of various decisions and agreements. The decisions concern the Comprehensive Action Plan for 2023-2027 for implementation of provisions of the Treaty on Long-term Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation, to develop Interconnectivity and Greate Efficient Transport Corridors.

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Ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit next week, the Uzbekistan Ambassador to India Dilshod Akhatov has said that Tashkent supports events and initiatives under India's SCO presidency.

Ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit next week, the Uzbekistan Ambassador to India Dilshod Akhatov has said that Tashkent supports events and initiatives under India's SCO presidency. Speaking to WION’s diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, ambassador Akhatov said, “The ongoing Indian Presidency of the SCO has shown that the Organisation is transforming into one of cultural-humanitarian and transport-economic cooperation.” India became a member of the grouping in 2017, and for the first time is chairing the group. It will be holding a virtual summit of the grouping on July 4. The ambassador explained that SCO is a “key platform for India's interaction with Central Asia” and added, “SCO is a key platform for India's interaction with Central Asia.” Iran will become a full member of the grouping during this year’s summit. Uzbekistan was the previous chair of the grouping and hosted the summit in Samarkand in September of 2022. WION: How do you see the SCO Presidency of India? Dilshod Akhatov: India, during its Presidency, also paid special attention to promoting partnerships in various fields, building trust and cooperation among the members of the Organization. International events under the Indian Chairmanship, in their essence and content, covered all key areas of relations between the countries of the region: economy, tourism, education, science, medicine, culture, etc. I remember well such events as the SCO Film Festival, SCO Cultural Showcase at the Surajkund Mela, the International Fusion Music Festival, conferences of young scientists, specialists in traditional medicine, discussion of start-up projects and much more. Tashkent supports India's initiatives put forward during these events. In general, the ongoing Indian presidency of the SCO has shown that the Organization is transforming into cultural-humanitarian and transport-economic cooperation. This approach undoubtedly serves to bring the SCO Member States closer together, reinforce mutual trust and respect with partner countries, and to ease tensions and build good neighbourly relations between countries with which they have clashes of interest. This approach will remain on the foreign policy agenda of the SCO Member States in the near future. First time, India has led this dynamically developing international structure, thereby starting a cycle of chairmanship with the participation of its new member states within the framework of the SCO. WION: How do you see SCO as a platform that brings together, India and Central Asia? Dilshod Akhatov: It is also very important for us that the SCO is a key platform for India's interaction with Central Asia. In the prospects for the development of mutually beneficial cooperation, interconnectedness plays a special role. As you know, connectivity has emerged as a crucial factor in promoting economic integration and fostering regional cooperation. The SCO, comprising eight Member States, recognizes the significance of connectivity in achieving its goals of regional stability, economic development, and people-to-people exchanges. I would like to recall that at the last SCO summit in Samarkand, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on the SCO member countries to provide transit access to each other and spoke in favour of expanding cooperation to ensure the sustainability of supply chains for the region. In this sense, the importance of efforts to use the port of Chabahar in Iran, a country that is also becoming a full member of the Organization, is multiplied. As noted by the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev in his speech at the “Voice of Global South” Summit in January 2023, our country fully supports the development of the “North-South” international corridor, which is one of the leading transport arteries in the Eurasian region and also promoted by India. WION: You were the previous President of the grouping, so how do you view the initiatives taken under your Presidency? Dilshod Akhatov: For Uzbekistan, this is also significant in that Delhi took over the Chairmanship from Tashkent. During the Presidency of our country last year, more than 80 major international events were successfully held at various levels. Despite the fact that this was the first Presidency of the SCO for India, the country has organized over 100 important events covering all facets of cooperation that are on the Organization's agenda. The SCO summit took place in Samarkand in 2022. As the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized, historically Samarkand has been a melting pot of ideas and knowledge. Overall, in the 22nd Summit of the Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in September 2022 in Samarkand, the Heads of States approved a lot of various decisions and agreements. The decisions concern the Comprehensive Action Plan for 2023-2027 for implementation of provisions of the Treaty on Long-term Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation, to develop Interconnectivity and Greate Efficient Transport Corridors. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Indian presidency of SCO strengthens regional cooperation: Uzbek envoy Dilshod Akhatov

It will be a packed agenda for India this month in its Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) presidency. India will be holding four senior officials' meetings - SOMs, National coordinators meeting in Kashi (Varanasi) and SCO Film festival in Mumbai. Remember, Kashi is the first-ever Tourist and Cultural Capital of SCO for 2022–2023- time frame. SCO is also the partner organisation for the Surajkund mela this year.

India took over the Presidency of the grouping last year at the SCO Samarkand summit and will be for the first time holding the summit of the grouping this year. Other than the summit, India will hold the foreign, defence and NSA-level meetings of the grouping as well.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-takes-g20-presidency-at-critical-time-will-provide-solutions-says-chief-coordinator-harsh-shringla-549951">Also read |&nbsp;"India takes G20 Presidency at critical time, will provide solutions," says Chief Coordinator Harsh Shringla</a>

The over-20-year-old organisation has Russia, India, China, Pakistan and four Central Asian countries Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as its members. Iran is the latest country to become a member and under Indian Presidency will for the first time attend the grouping's meeting as a full-fledged member.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bangladesh-pm-hasina-sri-lanka-prez-ranil-to-participate-in-india-hosted-voice-of-global-south-summit-550095">Also&nbsp;read |&nbsp;Bangladesh PM Hasina, Sri Lanka Prez Ranil to participate in India-hosted Voice of Global South Summit</a>

The grouping covers more than 60 per cent&nbsp;of the area of the Eurasian landmass, 40 per cent of the world population and 30 per cent of the global GDP. More and more countries have shown interest in becoming part of the grouping, especially from the Arab world, many of whom have got the status of dialogue partner.

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It will be a packed agenda for India this month in its Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) presidency. India will be holding four senior officials' meetings - SOMs, National coordinators meeting in Kashi (Varanasi) and SCO Film festival in Mumbai.

It will be a packed agenda for India this month in its Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) presidency. India will be holding four senior officials' meetings - SOMs, National coordinators meeting in Kashi (Varanasi) and SCO Film festival in Mumbai. Remember, Kashi is the first-ever Tourist and Cultural Capital of SCO for 2022–2023- time frame. SCO is also the partner organisation for the Surajkund mela this year. India took over the Presidency of the grouping last year at the SCO Samarkand summit and will be for the first time holding the summit of the grouping this year. Other than the summit, India will hold the foreign, defence and NSA-level meetings of the grouping as well. Also read | "India takes G20 Presidency at critical time, will provide solutions," says Chief Coordinator Harsh Shringla The over-20-year-old organisation has Russia, India, China, Pakistan and four Central Asian countries Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as its members. Iran is the latest country to become a member and under Indian Presidency will for the first time attend the grouping's meeting as a full-fledged member. Also read | Bangladesh PM Hasina, Sri Lanka Prez Ranil to participate in India-hosted Voice of Global South Summit The grouping covers more than 60 per cent of the area of the Eurasian landmass, 40 per cent of the world population and 30 per cent of the global GDP. More and more countries have shown interest in becoming part of the grouping, especially from the Arab world, many of whom have got the status of dialogue partner. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Packed agenda in January for India's SCO Presidency