Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) members should join hands to fight terrorism and not hesitate to condemn countries that support terror. He took a dig at Pakistan without taking the country's name. India hosted the SCO virtual summit just after Indian PM Modi's US visit. What were the big takeaways from the event?

Indian PM launches veiled attack on Pak at SCO summit

Political commentator Dr. Brahma Chellaney says that India's membership lends respectability to the SCO and helps counter the perception of it being an anti-Western club of autocracies. However, the question remains about what India gains from its SCO membership. Former Ambassador Ashok Kantha explains India's limited expectations from the SCO due to strategic differences among member countries but stresses the importance of bilateral relations with the Central Asian countries which are part of the SCO.

'Empty commitments by heads of state' says political commentator Brahma Chellaney

India chaired a virtual SCO meet. Indian PM Narendra Modi addressed the bloc and took a veiled dig at Pakistan, while addressing concerns around terrorism. Is Islamabad listening? Molly Gambhir tells you

Gravitas: India snubs Pakistan on terrorism

<p>Expressing concern about the situation in Afghanistan, leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States (SCO) called for the establishment of an inclusive government in Afghanistan with the participation of representatives of all ethnic, religious, and political groups in Afghan society and pledged to continue to assist the Afghan people.</p>

<p>The member countries adopted the New Delhi Declaration of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization on Tuesday.</p>

<p>Notably, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit concluded on Tuesday under India's presidency with Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually chairing the meeting of head&nbsp;of states.</p>

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<p>The SCO Member States called for an inclusive government in Afghanistan and stated that "the group considers it essential to establish an inclusive government in Afghanistan with the participation of representatives of all ethnic, religious and political groups in Afghan society."</p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi who chaired the SCO summit, said, "The situation in Afghanistan has directly impacted the security of all of us. India's concerns and expectations regarding Afghanistan are similar to those of most of the SCO countries. We must come together to strive for the well-being of the people of Afghanistan."</p>

<p>"Humanitarian assistance to Afghan citizens; the formation of an inclusive government; the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking; and ensuring the rights of women, children, and minorities are our shared priorities," he said.</p>

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<p>"Between the people of India and Afghanistan, there have been centuries-old friendly relations. In the past two decades, we have contributed to the economic and social development of Afghanistan. Even after the events of 2021, we continued to provide humanitarian assistance," PM Modi added.</p>

<p>"The Member States believe that one of the most important factors in 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," the joint declaration said.</p>

<p>They further stressed the importance of long-term hospitality and effective assistance provided to Afghan refugees by regional and neighboring countries of Afghanistan. The Member States consider important, the active efforts of the international community to facilitate their dignified, safe and sustainable return to their homeland.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH | Gravitas: Russia says Ukraine attacked Moscow with 5 drones</strong></p>

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<p>However, "the member states stressed the historical significance of the admission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the SCO as a full Member State. They also noted the importance of signing the Memorandum of Obligations by the Republic of Belarus to achieve the status of an SCO Member State," the release added.</p>

<p>The Member States highly appreciated the outcomes of India's presidency of the SCO in 2022-2023 which has contributed to the further development of multi-faceted and mutually beneficial cooperation.</p>

<p>"They further called for greater effectiveness of the World Trade Organization (WTO) as a key platform for discussing the international trade agenda and adopting the regulations of the multilateral trading system," the official release said. However, they emphasized the need for early implementation of an inclusive reform of the organization, focusing on the issues of its development and adaptation to modern economic realities, as well as, effective implementation of the functions of monitoring, negotiation and settlement of disputes.</p>

<p>The Member States affirm the significance of further improving and reforming the architecture of global economic governance and will consistently advocate and strengthen an open, transparent, fair, inclusive and non-discriminatory multilateral trading system based on the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles and rules.</p>

<p>It will promote the development of an open world economy, ensure equitable market access, and oppose protectionist measures and trade restrictions contrary to the WTO principles that undermine the multilateral trading system and threaten the global economy.</p>

<p>They later stressed that the unilateral application of economic sanctions other than those approved by the UN Security Council is incompatible with the principles of international law and has a negative impact on third countries and international economic relations.</p>

<p>"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 the 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 release said.</p>

<p>They however 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.</p>

<p>Adding to this, today the world is undergoing unprecedented transformations and is entering a new era of rapid technological development that requires an increase in the effectiveness of global institutions.</p>

<p>Hence, new approaches are required to promote more equitable and effective international cooperation as there is a growing technological and digital divide, continued turbulence in global financial markets, global reduction in investment flows, instability of supply chains, increased protectionist measures and other barriers to international trade, consequences of the global climate change and COVID-19 pandemic are adding to the volatility and uncertainty in the global economy and creating additional challenges for economic growth, maintaining social well-being, ensuring food and energy security, as well as the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.</p>

<p>Furthermore, based on the proximity of assessments of the current regional and international agenda, the Member States confirm their commitment to the formation of a more representative, democratic, just and multipolar world order based on the universally recognized principles of international law, multilateralism, equal, joint, indivisible, comprehensive and sustainable security, cultural and civilizational diversity, mutually beneficial and equal cooperation of states with a central coordinating role of the UN.</p>

<p>"The Member States reaffirm that the SCO is not directed against other states and international organizations and is open to broad cooperation with them in accordance with the goals and principles of the UN Charter, SCO Charter and international law, based on consideration of mutual interests and common approaches to solving regional and global problems," the release mentioned.</p>

<p>In accordance with the principles of the SCO Charter, the member states pursue a policy that excludes bloc, ideological and confrontational approaches to address the problems of international and regional development, countering traditional and non-traditional security challenges and threats.</p>

<p>They further reaffirm the relevance of initiatives to promote cooperation in building a new- type of international relations in the spirit of mutual respect, justice, equality and mutually beneficial cooperation, as well as the formation of a common vision of creating a community of the common destiny of humanity.</p>

<p>The release said, "The Member States advocate respect for the right of peoples to an independent and democratic choice of the paths of their political and socio-economic development, emphasize that the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity of states, equality, mutual benefit, non-interference in internal affairs and non-use of force or threats to use force, are the basis of sustainable development of international relations. They reaffirm their commitment to peaceful settlement of disagreements and disputes between countries through dialogue and consultations."</p>

<p>The Member States also intend to develop cooperation in the fields of politics and security, trade, economy, finance and investment, and cultural and humanitarian ties in order to build a peaceful, safe, prosperous and environment-friendly planet Earth, achieving harmonious coexistence of Man and nature.</p>

<p>They consider it important to build up joint coordinated efforts by the international community to counter the activities of terrorist, separatist and extremist groups, paying special attention to preventing the spread of religious intolerance, aggressive nationalism, ethnic and racial discrimination, xenophobia, ideas of fascism and chauvinism.</p>

<p>"Reaffirming their commitment to peace, joint development and equal relations based on the principles of mutual respect, friendship and good-neighbourliness, the Member States will continue conducting a constructive dialogue based on trust, deepening effective multifaceted cooperation, making every effort to strengthen security and stability and ensure sustainable development in the SCO region," the release said.</p>

<p>Moreover, the Member States consider Central Asia to be the core of SCO and support the efforts of the region's countries to ensure prosperity and peace, sustainable development and the formation of a space of good-neighbourliness, trust and friendship.</p>

<p>They also intend to broaden and deepen cooperation for sustainable socio-economic development and to improve the well-being and living standards of the people in the SCO region.</p>

<p>"They consider it important to ensure the implementation of the SCO Economic Development Strategy 2030 adopted by interested Member States, other joint programs and projects aimed at promoting cooperation in such priority areas as the digital economy, high technology and innovation, creation of new and modernization of existing international routes for road and rail transport, multimodal transport corridors and logistics centres, finance and investment, energy and food security, reliable, resilient and diversified supply chains, industrial cooperation and inter-regional ties," according to the release.</p>

<p>However, they also intend to strengthen cooperation in education, science and technology, culture, health, disaster management, as well as tourism, sports and people-to-people contacts, especially through women and youth, public diplomacy institutions, cultural centres and the media.</p>

<p>The Member States agreed to declare 2024 as the SCO Year of Environment and noted the importance of cooperation in the field of environmental protection, ecological security and prevention of the negative consequences of climate change, development of specially protected nature reserves and eco-tourism.</p>

<p>Furthermore, the presidency of the SCO for the forthcoming period is handed over to the Republic of Kazakhstan. The next meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State will be held in 2024 in Kazakhstan.</p>

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Expressing concern about the situation in Afghanistan, leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States (SCO) called for the establishment of an inclusive government in Afghanistan with the participation of representatives of all ethnic, religious, and political groups in Afghan society and pledged to continue to assist the Afghan people.

Expressing concern about the situation in Afghanistan, leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States (SCO) called for the establishment of an inclusive government in Afghanistan with the participation of representatives of all ethnic, religious, and political groups in Afghan society and pledged to continue to assist the Afghan people. The member countries adopted the New Delhi Declaration of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization on Tuesday. Notably, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit concluded on Tuesday under India's presidency with Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually chairing the meeting of head of states. Also Read | Discovery of cocaine in White House library prompts secret service investigation The SCO Member States called for an inclusive government in Afghanistan and stated that "the group considers it essential to establish an inclusive government in Afghanistan with the participation of representatives of all ethnic, religious and political groups in Afghan society." Prime Minister Narendra Modi who chaired the SCO summit, said, "The situation in Afghanistan has directly impacted the security of all of us. India's concerns and expectations regarding Afghanistan are similar to those of most of the SCO countries. We must come together to strive for the well-being of the people of Afghanistan." "Humanitarian assistance to Afghan citizens; the formation of an inclusive government; the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking; and ensuring the rights of women, children, and minorities are our shared priorities," he said. Also Read | Israeli military is ‘completing mission’ in West Bank, says PM Netanyahu; death toll in Jenin rises to 11 "Between the people of India and Afghanistan, there have been centuries-old friendly relations. In the past two decades, we have contributed to the economic and social development of Afghanistan. Even after the events of 2021, we continued to provide humanitarian assistance," PM Modi added. "The Member States believe that one of the most important factors in 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," the joint declaration said. They further stressed the importance of long-term hospitality and effective assistance provided to Afghan refugees by regional and neighboring countries of Afghanistan. The Member States consider important, the active efforts of the international community to facilitate their dignified, safe and sustainable return to their homeland. WATCH | Gravitas: Russia says Ukraine attacked Moscow with 5 drones × However, "the member states stressed the historical significance of the admission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the SCO as a full Member State. They also noted the importance of signing the Memorandum of Obligations by the Republic of Belarus to achieve the status of an SCO Member State," the release added. The Member States highly appreciated the outcomes of India's presidency of the SCO in 2022-2023 which has contributed to the further development of multi-faceted and mutually beneficial cooperation. "They further called for greater effectiveness of the World Trade Organization (WTO) as a key platform for discussing the international trade agenda and adopting the regulations of the multilateral trading system," the official release said. However, they emphasized the need for early implementation of an inclusive reform of the organization, focusing on the issues of its development and adaptation to modern economic realities, as well as, effective implementation of the functions of monitoring, negotiation and settlement of disputes. The Member States affirm the significance of further improving and reforming the architecture of global economic governance and will consistently advocate and strengthen an open, transparent, fair, inclusive and non-discriminatory multilateral trading system based on the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles and rules. It will promote the development of an open world economy, ensure equitable market access, and oppose protectionist measures and trade restrictions contrary to the WTO principles that undermine the multilateral trading system and threaten the global economy. They later stressed that the unilateral application of economic sanctions other than those approved by the UN Security Council is incompatible with the principles of international law and has a negative impact on third countries and international economic relations. "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 the 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 release said. They however 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. Adding to this, today the world is undergoing unprecedented transformations and is entering a new era of rapid technological development that requires an increase in the effectiveness of global institutions. Hence, new approaches are required to promote more equitable and effective international cooperation as there is a growing technological and digital divide, continued turbulence in global financial markets, global reduction in investment flows, instability of supply chains, increased protectionist measures and other barriers to international trade, consequences of the global climate change and COVID-19 pandemic are adding to the volatility and uncertainty in the global economy and creating additional challenges for economic growth, maintaining social well-being, ensuring food and energy security, as well as the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Furthermore, based on the proximity of assessments of the current regional and international agenda, the Member States confirm their commitment to the formation of a more representative, democratic, just and multipolar world order based on the universally recognized principles of international law, multilateralism, equal, joint, indivisible, comprehensive and sustainable security, cultural and civilizational diversity, mutually beneficial and equal cooperation of states with a central coordinating role of the UN. "The Member States reaffirm that the SCO is not directed against other states and international organizations and is open to broad cooperation with them in accordance with the goals and principles of the UN Charter, SCO Charter and international law, based on consideration of mutual interests and common approaches to solving regional and global problems," the release mentioned. In accordance with the principles of the SCO Charter, the member states pursue a policy that excludes bloc, ideological and confrontational approaches to address the problems of international and regional development, countering traditional and non-traditional security challenges and threats. They further reaffirm the relevance of initiatives to promote cooperation in building a new- type of international relations in the spirit of mutual respect, justice, equality and mutually beneficial cooperation, as well as the formation of a common vision of creating a community of the common destiny of humanity. The release said, "The Member States advocate respect for the right of peoples to an independent and democratic choice of the paths of their political and socio-economic development, emphasize that the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity of states, equality, mutual benefit, non-interference in internal affairs and non-use of force or threats to use force, are the basis of sustainable development of international relations. They reaffirm their commitment to peaceful settlement of disagreements and disputes between countries through dialogue and consultations." The Member States also intend to develop cooperation in the fields of politics and security, trade, economy, finance and investment, and cultural and humanitarian ties in order to build a peaceful, safe, prosperous and environment-friendly planet Earth, achieving harmonious coexistence of Man and nature. They consider it important to build up joint coordinated efforts by the international community to counter the activities of terrorist, separatist and extremist groups, paying special attention to preventing the spread of religious intolerance, aggressive nationalism, ethnic and racial discrimination, xenophobia, ideas of fascism and chauvinism. "Reaffirming their commitment to peace, joint development and equal relations based on the principles of mutual respect, friendship and good-neighbourliness, the Member States will continue conducting a constructive dialogue based on trust, deepening effective multifaceted cooperation, making every effort to strengthen security and stability and ensure sustainable development in the SCO region," the release said. Moreover, the Member States consider Central Asia to be the core of SCO and support the efforts of the region's countries to ensure prosperity and peace, sustainable development and the formation of a space of good-neighbourliness, trust and friendship. They also intend to broaden and deepen cooperation for sustainable socio-economic development and to improve the well-being and living standards of the people in the SCO region. "They consider it important to ensure the implementation of the SCO Economic Development Strategy 2030 adopted by interested Member States, other joint programs and projects aimed at promoting cooperation in such priority areas as the digital economy, high technology and innovation, creation of new and modernization of existing international routes for road and rail transport, multimodal transport corridors and logistics centres, finance and investment, energy and food security, reliable, resilient and diversified supply chains, industrial cooperation and inter-regional ties," according to the release. However, they also intend to strengthen cooperation in education, science and technology, culture, health, disaster management, as well as tourism, sports and people-to-people contacts, especially through women and youth, public diplomacy institutions, cultural centres and the media. The Member States agreed to declare 2024 as the SCO Year of Environment and noted the importance of cooperation in the field of environmental protection, ecological security and prevention of the negative consequences of climate change, development of specially protected nature reserves and eco-tourism. Furthermore, the presidency of the SCO for the forthcoming period is handed over to the Republic of Kazakhstan. The next meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State will be held in 2024 in Kazakhstan. 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. ×

SCO member states call for inclusive government in Afghanistan

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a speech at this year's SCO Summit his first at a Global Summit since a short-lived Mutiny last month when the head of the Wagner mercenary group led a failed rebellion against the Kremlin. During the virtual gathering, Putin told Asian leaders that the Russian people were more united than ever the Russian people are Consolidated as never before.

SCO Summit: Russian President Vladimir Putin slams Western sanctions

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a speech at this year's SCO Summit his first at a Global Summit since a short-lived Mutiny last month when the head of the Wagner mercenary group led a failed rebellion against the Kremlin. During the virtual gathering, Putin told Asian leaders that the Russian people were more united than ever the Russian people are Consolidated as never before. To know more watch this interview with International Affairs Analyst, Dr Gilbert Doctrow.

Russia's growing clout in SCO grouping

The Shanghai Cooperation organisation is an intergovernmental organization founded in shanghai on 15 June 2001. Since its inception, the SCO has mainly focused on regional security issues and the fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism. The priorities of the grouping also include regional development. The SCO has been an observer in the united nations general assembly since 2005.

India hosts SCO meet; Putin's first summit since Wagner rebellion | Iran set to join grouping

Putin spoke at the SCO summit 2023 about geopolitical contradictions and the degradation of the international security system and the increase in the risks of a new global economic and financial crisis.

Putin: Russia will resist 'sanctions and provocations'

India hosted the virtual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the chairperson. The summit is attended by leaders such as Putin and Xi Jinping with the theme of "Secure SCO"

Indian PM: SCO members value people-to-people links

India hosted the virtual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the chairperson. The summit is attended by leaders such as Putin and Xi Jinping with the theme of "Secure SCO.

India hosts SCO summit: Key takeaways on security, terrorism and regional development

At the SCO Summit 2023, Xi Jinping spoke about the need to enhance cooperation between law enforcement agencies and intelligence services in various areas of security, including digital security, biosecurity, and space security.

SCO Summit 2023: Xi Jinping spoke about mutual cooperation, combating crime & supporting Afghanistan

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p><em><strong>(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.)</strong></em></p>

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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

<p>Iran&nbsp;will be formally approved as a member of the regional&nbsp;Shanghai&nbsp;Cooperation Organisation with&nbsp;China, Russia and Central Asian countries, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday.</p>

<p>"At the meeting of heads of state on July 4, the full membership of&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;will be approved," Lavrov said at the opening of an SCO centre in Moscow.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wagner-group-not-disbanded-yet-recruitment-continues-across-russia-report-610443">Wagner Group not disbanded yet, recruitment continues across Russia: Report</a></strong></p>

<p>Iran&nbsp;has intensified its diplomacy with friends and foes alike in recent months, seeking to reduce its isolation, improve its economy and project strength.</p>

<p>SCO membership was already on the cards and&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;is also hoping to be quickly accepted into another grouping that excludes Western countries -- the BRICS group with Brazil, Russia, India,&nbsp;China&nbsp;and South Africa.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Russia's missing military generals | What happened to 'General Armageddon'?</strong></p>

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<p>The SCO, which has its headquarters in&nbsp;China, is a diplomatic organisation with eight members, including India and Pakistan.</p>

<p>Kremlin ally Belarus is also applying to&nbsp;join, and Lavrov said Friday that next week's virtual summit would "begin the procedure" for that membership to go ahead.</p>

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Iran will be formally approved as a member of the regional Shanghai Cooperation Organisation with China, Russia and Central Asian countries, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday.

Iran will be formally approved as a member of the regional Shanghai Cooperation Organisation with China, Russia and Central Asian countries, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday. "At the meeting of heads of state on July 4, the full membership of Iran will be approved," Lavrov said at the opening of an SCO centre in Moscow. Also read: Wagner Group not disbanded yet, recruitment continues across Russia: Report Iran has intensified its diplomacy with friends and foes alike in recent months, seeking to reduce its isolation, improve its economy and project strength. SCO membership was already on the cards and Iran is also hoping to be quickly accepted into another grouping that excludes Western countries -- the BRICS group with Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Watch: Russia's missing military generals | What happened to 'General Armageddon'? × The SCO, which has its headquarters in China, is a diplomatic organisation with eight members, including India and Pakistan. Kremlin ally Belarus is also applying to join, and Lavrov said Friday that next week's virtual summit would "begin the procedure" for that membership to go ahead. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Iran to join SCO next week: Lavrov

<p>The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers Meeting this month at Goa had an intense war of words. The SCO is a multilateral and multi-sectoral international organisation with eight member states- China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. With the help of media statements, the tug-of-war between the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan continued. This was no surprise, the much-anticipated fireworks in the form of a speech act were done by both sides.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
India and Pakistan representatives were seen targeting each other on a variety of issues. Pakistan-sponsored terrorism continued to be at the centre stage. In the SCO meeting in Goa, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar was seen as firm in his body language, pretty vocal and unapologetic about his remarks. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari too was seen in the usual mode. The statements by the EAM Jaishankar and Pakistan Foreign Minister Bhutto were largely on the issues, where mutual targeting is well known between the two states: Kashmir, revocation of Article 370, Pakistan occupied Kashmir, Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism etc.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/leading-the-way-for-world-indias-proposal-for-digital-public-infra-adopted-by-sco-members-592217">Leading the way for world: India's proposal for digital public infra adopted by SCO members</a></p>

<h2><strong>Pak-sponsored terrorism: A brief glimpse</strong></h2>

<p>The Indian position on Pakistan’s role in spreading and nurturing international terror groups has long remained clear and constant. However, there is a notable change in the way India has approached the issues in recent times. “Pakistan’s credibility is depleting even faster than its forex reserves”. The External Affairs Minister of India, S. Jaishankar referred to the failing or depleting credibility of Pakistan, hinted&nbsp;towards the country’s long-continued hypocritic approach to state-grown terrorism.<br />
Islamabad has long continued to renounce that it has been supporting anti-India terror groups from its soil. India has now stopped pleading and providing Pakistan with evidence of its involvement in anti-India activities. In its present stance, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, New Delhi has ceased to engage Islamabad in the usual fashion.<br />
For decades, India has overlooked and pardoned many sub-conventional strikes sponsored by Pakistan. But it has now largely ceased giving oneway, unilateral concessions to Pakistan by overlooking its faults like an elder brother and regional power in South Asia. In the Goa meeting too, like old wine in a new bottle, Pakistan restated the lie India has been told several times both bilaterally and internationally, that it is a sufferer and not a perpetrator of terrorism. &nbsp;</p>

<p>India was in no mood to be fooled yet again. Even after having fought four major conventional wars with Pakistan, India has several times attempted reconciliation. Largely all these conventional wars or conflicts were initiated by Pakistan. On several occasions, India has caught Pakistan red-handed with strong evidence of the ISI's involvement in sub-conventional strikes or anti-India terror attacks including the Parliament attack, 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks etc. India has also presented evidence of the role of institutions in Pakistan in the same, but it continued to deny and overlook it. In&nbsp;recent months there have been many Pak-sponsored attacks in Kashmir, in the most recent one resulted in the martyrdom of five security personnel in Rajouri district which unfortunately happened simultaneously to the Goa SCO meet on 5th May, 2023.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pakistan from the Cold War times till date has continued on its approach and has given a blind eye to homegrown terrorism. It has taken no action to counter and contain the anti-India terror elements operating from its soil. The ISI and some major of Pakistan’s institutions have supported and are fond of the “good Taliban” &nbsp;and this is now an open secret to the world that Pakistan shelters terrorists. The killing of the Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden in 2012 by the US forces in his own compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan; made the world know about the Pakistan government’s hand in sheltering global terrorists.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH | SCO summit 2023: India holds chair of G20 &amp; SCO this year | World News | WION</strong></p>

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<h2><strong>Is the war of words at SCO meeting justified?</strong></h2>

<p>The SCO meet at Goa in May, 2023 was an important occasion for New Delhi and Islamabad. Not surprising that both countries arranged no bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the multilateral meeting. Mr. Jaishankar stated that “the victims of terrorism do not sit together with perpetrators of terrorism to discuss terrorism” with the Foreign Minister of Pakistan referred by him as a “promoter, justifier and a spokesperson” of the terror industry.<br />
The war of words between New Delhi and Islamabad is nothing new but many international political analysts believe that it could&nbsp;have been avoided in a multilateral set-up. However, it must be noted that the issue under discussion- terrorism, falls well inside the core agenda of the SCO and the discussion on the matter brought for the role of one member state in perpetuating, harbouring and proliferating terrorism.<br />
The United Nations define the SCO as an organisation which since its inception has focused on regional security issues, with a well-known priority combating “regional terrorism, ethnic separatism and religious extremism”. However, in recent decades SCO has also diversified its agenda adding and prioritising regional development, cooperation in the realm of science and technology, environmental protection etc. Thus, it has emerged as a regional organisation with multi-faceted objectives of promoting diverse political, economic, technical and people-to-people cooperation.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What does this mean for India’s policy towards Pakistan?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The Pakistan Foreign Minister in December 2022 at the United Nations in an interaction with the media, was seen referring to the Prime Minister of India as ‘butcher of Gujarat’. It must be noted that the Indian EAM’s statements and responses to the press on the matter of Pakistan did not come as an immediate and instantaneous response. Mr. Jaishankar's statements were much more than a tirade and invective speech act. It was part of a bigger response signalling a changed approach of India to one of its neighbouring state which over the years has caused it deliberate harm in more than one way. &nbsp;<br />
There is a clear observation. The tug of war between India and Pakistan at the sidelines of a multilateral forum SCO hints towards a more aggressive approach of India to name, shame and blame Pakistan for its anti-India activities. Though both states have been pointing fingers at each other, kind of ritualistically, every year at the United Nations General Assembly. But now, it is visible that India has gone more vocal on the long-due matter of cross-border and Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.<br />
The same has not only harmed&nbsp;Indian interests but also has been detrimental to South Asian stability and global peace. The analysis suggests that the long due reconciliation and strengthening of ties between India and Pakistan is difficult unless provocative actions are halted from the side of the Islamic state.</p>

<p><strong><em>(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.)</em></strong></p>

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The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers Meeting this month at Goa had an intense war of words. The SCO is a multilateral and multi-sectoral international organisation with eight member states- China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers Meeting this month at Goa had an intense war of words. The SCO is a multilateral and multi-sectoral international organisation with eight member states- China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. With the help of media statements, the tug-of-war between the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan continued. This was no surprise, the much-anticipated fireworks in the form of a speech act were done by both sides. India and Pakistan representatives were seen targeting each other on a variety of issues. Pakistan-sponsored terrorism continued to be at the centre stage. In the SCO meeting in Goa, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar was seen as firm in his body language, pretty vocal and unapologetic about his remarks. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari too was seen in the usual mode. The statements by the EAM Jaishankar and Pakistan Foreign Minister Bhutto were largely on the issues, where mutual targeting is well known between the two states: Kashmir, revocation of Article 370, Pakistan occupied Kashmir, Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism etc. ALSO READ | Leading the way for world: India's proposal for digital public infra adopted by SCO members Pak-sponsored terrorism: A brief glimpse The Indian position on Pakistan’s role in spreading and nurturing international terror groups has long remained clear and constant. However, there is a notable change in the way India has approached the issues in recent times. “Pakistan’s credibility is depleting even faster than its forex reserves”. The External Affairs Minister of India, S. Jaishankar referred to the failing or depleting credibility of Pakistan, hinted towards the country’s long-continued hypocritic approach to state-grown terrorism. Islamabad has long continued to renounce that it has been supporting anti-India terror groups from its soil. India has now stopped pleading and providing Pakistan with evidence of its involvement in anti-India activities. In its present stance, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, New Delhi has ceased to engage Islamabad in the usual fashion. For decades, India has overlooked and pardoned many sub-conventional strikes sponsored by Pakistan. But it has now largely ceased giving oneway, unilateral concessions to Pakistan by overlooking its faults like an elder brother and regional power in South Asia. In the Goa meeting too, like old wine in a new bottle, Pakistan restated the lie India has been told several times both bilaterally and internationally, that it is a sufferer and not a perpetrator of terrorism. India was in no mood to be fooled yet again. Even after having fought four major conventional wars with Pakistan, India has several times attempted reconciliation. Largely all these conventional wars or conflicts were initiated by Pakistan. On several occasions, India has caught Pakistan red-handed with strong evidence of the ISI's involvement in sub-conventional strikes or anti-India terror attacks including the Parliament attack, 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks etc. India has also presented evidence of the role of institutions in Pakistan in the same, but it continued to deny and overlook it. In recent months there have been many Pak-sponsored attacks in Kashmir, in the most recent one resulted in the martyrdom of five security personnel in Rajouri district which unfortunately happened simultaneously to the Goa SCO meet on 5th May, 2023. Pakistan from the Cold War times till date has continued on its approach and has given a blind eye to homegrown terrorism. It has taken no action to counter and contain the anti-India terror elements operating from its soil. The ISI and some major of Pakistan’s institutions have supported and are fond of the “good Taliban” and this is now an open secret to the world that Pakistan shelters terrorists. The killing of the Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden in 2012 by the US forces in his own compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan; made the world know about the Pakistan government’s hand in sheltering global terrorists. WATCH | SCO summit 2023: India holds chair of G20 & SCO this year | World News | WION Is the war of words at SCO meeting justified? The SCO meet at Goa in May, 2023 was an important occasion for New Delhi and Islamabad. Not surprising that both countries arranged no bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the multilateral meeting. Mr. Jaishankar stated that “the victims of terrorism do not sit together with perpetrators of terrorism to discuss terrorism” with the Foreign Minister of Pakistan referred by him as a “promoter, justifier and a spokesperson” of the terror industry. The war of words between New Delhi and Islamabad is nothing new but many international political analysts believe that it could have been avoided in a multilateral set-up. However, it must be noted that the issue under discussion- terrorism, falls well inside the core agenda of the SCO and the discussion on the matter brought for the role of one member state in perpetuating, harbouring and proliferating terrorism. The United Nations define the SCO as an organisation which since its inception has focused on regional security issues, with a well-known priority combating “regional terrorism, ethnic separatism and religious extremism”. However, in recent decades SCO has also diversified its agenda adding and prioritising regional development, cooperation in the realm of science and technology, environmental protection etc. Thus, it has emerged as a regional organisation with multi-faceted objectives of promoting diverse political, economic, technical and people-to-people cooperation. What does this mean for India’s policy towards Pakistan? The Pakistan Foreign Minister in December 2022 at the United Nations in an interaction with the media, was seen referring to the Prime Minister of India as ‘butcher of Gujarat’. It must be noted that the Indian EAM’s statements and responses to the press on the matter of Pakistan did not come as an immediate and instantaneous response. Mr. Jaishankar's statements were much more than a tirade and invective speech act. It was part of a bigger response signalling a changed approach of India to one of its neighbouring state which over the years has caused it deliberate harm in more than one way. There is a clear observation. The tug of war between India and Pakistan at the sidelines of a multilateral forum SCO hints towards a more aggressive approach of India to name, shame and blame Pakistan for its anti-India activities. Though both states have been pointing fingers at each other, kind of ritualistically, every year at the United Nations General Assembly. But now, it is visible that India has gone more vocal on the long-due matter of cross-border and Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. The same has not only harmed Indian interests but also has been detrimental to South Asian stability and global peace. The analysis suggests that the long due reconciliation and strengthening of ties between India and Pakistan is difficult unless provocative actions are halted from the side of the Islamic state. (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.) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Pakistan-sponsored terrorism: Understanding India's reaction at SCO Goa meet

<p>SCO nations have adopted India's proposal for developing digital public infrastructure (DPI), according to Union Minister for Electronics &amp; Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw. India continues to make significant strides aimed at expanding access to digital technologies and services like Aadhaar, Unified Payments Interface, DigiLocker, and CoWin.&nbsp;Indian minister Vaishnaw chaired the meeting of ICT ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member countries on Saturday where they unanimously adopted India's proposal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“They met today and unanimously adopted India’s proposal for developing Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) as the right way for deploying digital technology among member states,” Vaishnaw said in a statement post chairing the meeting.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thai-voting-begins-will-rule-of-conservative-military-backed-pm-to-maintain-power-592156">Thailand voting begins, will conservative military-backed PM maintain power?</a></p>

<p>The SCO grouping includes Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and India. It also has four Observer States - Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia. Moreover, the intra-governmental body also has six Dialogue Partners namely Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Turkey.</p>

<p>According to Vaishnaw, DPI is crucial for ensuring that technology is made accessible to everybody.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“There was also a need felt for interoperability between different systems being developed by the member states and the body recognized the need for setting up an organisation for setting common standards for interoperability of digital systems among member states,” he said.</p>

<p>According to information from the National Payments Cooperation of India, there were around 74 billion UPI transactions in 2022, totaling 125.94 trillion rupees. The UPI platform processed more than 38 billion transactions worth 71.54 trillion rupees in 2021. Also, 2.2 billion doses of the Covid-19 vaccine have already been given through CoWin, India's Covid-19 vaccination app.</p>

<p>Also Read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistani-held-in-biggest-drug-bust-in-india-crystal-meth-worth-145-bn-seized-592189">In India's biggest drug bust, crystal meth worth $1.45bn seized from Kerala coast, Pakistani held</a></p>

<p>“I would urge all fellow members of SCO to assess, evaluate and adopt India Stack and benefit from this digital public infrastructure,” Vaishnaw said.</p>

<p>India Stack refers to a set of digital infrastructure services that have been developed by the Indian government to facilitate the delivery of various services to citizens, businesses, and other organisations.</p>

<p>The core components of India Stack include Aadhaar, a biometric identification system that provides a unique identification number to every Indian citizen; e-KYC, which allows individuals and businesses to electronically verify their identity; and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which is a real-time payment system that enables instant transactions between bank accounts.</p>

<p>Together, these components provide a digital foundation that can be leveraged by various organisations to offer a range of services, such as e-commerce, financial services and healthcare, among others.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Mother's Day Special: Sarah Todd shares easy cooking tips for busy parents</strong></p>

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<p>The aim of India Stack is to create a more efficient and inclusive digital economy in India, while also reducing the cost and complexity of delivering services. The system has been credited with enabling greater financial inclusion and helping to bring more people into the formal economy.</p>

<p>According to a statement from the ministry, India also informed SCO members of its plans to invest $5 billion to provide broadband access to all 250,000 village councils and $3 billion to offer mobile coverage to villages in rural locations.</p>

<p>Kazim Rizvi, the founder of the Dialogue, a technological think tank, one of the main outputs of the India Stack is UPI, which has altered the country's payments system and increased the measure of financial inclusion by 5% compounded annual growth rate.</p>

<p>“The export of UPI to other countries has grown significantly, with the international arm of NPCI partnering with countries such as the UK, the UAE, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Bhutan, Nepal, etc.,” Rizvi added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“The recent signature by SCO member states to adopt India’s proposal for developing digital public infrastructure as the way forward for deploying digital technologies in members is a significant recognition of India’s efforts towards having digitally inclusive growth at the global scale.”</p>

<p>India has already agreed to the implementation of UPI with more than a dozen other countries. The nation is now providing the technology to a number of nations as part of its G20 Presidency duties.&nbsp;Currently, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Mauritius, Nepal, and Bhutan accept BHIM UPI QR.</p>

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SCO nations have adopted India's proposal for developing digital public infrastructure (DPI), according to Union Minister for Electronics & Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw.

SCO nations have adopted India's proposal for developing digital public infrastructure (DPI), according to Union Minister for Electronics & Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw. India continues to make significant strides aimed at expanding access to digital technologies and services like Aadhaar, Unified Payments Interface, DigiLocker, and CoWin. Indian minister Vaishnaw chaired the meeting of ICT ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member countries on Saturday where they unanimously adopted India's proposal. “They met today and unanimously adopted India’s proposal for developing Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) as the right way for deploying digital technology among member states,” Vaishnaw said in a statement post chairing the meeting. Also Read | Thailand voting begins, will conservative military-backed PM maintain power? The SCO grouping includes Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and India. It also has four Observer States - Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia. Moreover, the intra-governmental body also has six Dialogue Partners namely Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Turkey. According to Vaishnaw, DPI is crucial for ensuring that technology is made accessible to everybody. “There was also a need felt for interoperability between different systems being developed by the member states and the body recognized the need for setting up an organisation for setting common standards for interoperability of digital systems among member states,” he said. According to information from the National Payments Cooperation of India, there were around 74 billion UPI transactions in 2022, totaling 125.94 trillion rupees. The UPI platform processed more than 38 billion transactions worth 71.54 trillion rupees in 2021. Also, 2.2 billion doses of the Covid-19 vaccine have already been given through CoWin, India's Covid-19 vaccination app. Also Read| In India's biggest drug bust, crystal meth worth $1.45bn seized from Kerala coast, Pakistani held “I would urge all fellow members of SCO to assess, evaluate and adopt India Stack and benefit from this digital public infrastructure,” Vaishnaw said. India Stack refers to a set of digital infrastructure services that have been developed by the Indian government to facilitate the delivery of various services to citizens, businesses, and other organisations. The core components of India Stack include Aadhaar, a biometric identification system that provides a unique identification number to every Indian citizen; e-KYC, which allows individuals and businesses to electronically verify their identity; and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which is a real-time payment system that enables instant transactions between bank accounts. Together, these components provide a digital foundation that can be leveraged by various organisations to offer a range of services, such as e-commerce, financial services and healthcare, among others. Watch | Mother's Day Special: Sarah Todd shares easy cooking tips for busy parents × The aim of India Stack is to create a more efficient and inclusive digital economy in India, while also reducing the cost and complexity of delivering services. The system has been credited with enabling greater financial inclusion and helping to bring more people into the formal economy. According to a statement from the ministry, India also informed SCO members of its plans to invest $5 billion to provide broadband access to all 250,000 village councils and $3 billion to offer mobile coverage to villages in rural locations. Kazim Rizvi, the founder of the Dialogue, a technological think tank, one of the main outputs of the India Stack is UPI, which has altered the country's payments system and increased the measure of financial inclusion by 5% compounded annual growth rate. “The export of UPI to other countries has grown significantly, with the international arm of NPCI partnering with countries such as the UK, the UAE, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Bhutan, Nepal, etc.,” Rizvi added. “The recent signature by SCO member states to adopt India’s proposal for developing digital public infrastructure as the way forward for deploying digital technologies in members is a significant recognition of India’s efforts towards having digitally inclusive growth at the global scale.” India has already agreed to the implementation of UPI with more than a dozen other countries. The nation is now providing the technology to a number of nations as part of its G20 Presidency duties. Currently, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Mauritius, Nepal, and Bhutan accept BHIM UPI QR. 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. ×

Leading the way for world: India's proposal for digital public infra adopted by SCO members

Pakistan's foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari arrived in Goa on Thursday to attend a conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), becoming the first senior leader from the neighbouring country to visit India in almost 12 years.

SCO Meet: Bilawal Bhutto becomes 1st Pak Foreign Minister to visit India

India is hosting the Foreign Ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Goa, but apart from the MOUs and long speeches, there was much to observe when India's External Affairs Minister welcomed his Pakistani counterpart. Watch the video to know more.

Namaste Diplomacy: India's 'cold welcome' to Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto | WION

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday (May 4) held a bilateral talk with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Goa on the sidelines of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting. The Chinese and Russian Foreign Ministers are in Goa to attend the two-day-long meeting of foreign ministers of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which got underway today in the coastal state.

SCO meet: Indian EAM Jaishankar holds bilateral talks with Chinese, Russian counterparts

India's Foreign Minister S Jaishankar addressed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meet and targeted Pakistan on cross-border terrorism. Watch the video to know more.

S Jaishankar on Pakistan: Victims of terrorism do not sit with perpetrators of terrorism

The SCO Council of Foreign Ministers chaired by EAM Dr S Jaishankar concludes. The SCO foreign ministers assessed the status of decisions that will be approved at the upcoming SCO Summit in July. Watch this report for more details.

SCO summit 2023: India meets Russia, China & Pakistan's FMs on sidelines of meet

Foreign ministers of the SCO are meeting in Goa to discuss regional security matters, including adding Iran and Belarus to the grouping. Amid fractured east-west relations, India, which holds the chair of both, the g20 major economies and the SCO This year, is treading a diplomatic tightrope. The theme of India’s 2023 chairmanship is 'secure-sco'. The Indian foreign minister and his Russian counterpart held bilateral talks yesterday. Russian foreign ministry said a 'trust-based exchange' of views took place. India has long-standing ties with Russia and has so far not condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine. S Jaishankar held bilateral talks with China's Qin Gang yesterday. The Indian minister said the focus remains on resolving outstanding issues and ensuring peace and tranquillity in border areas. Pakistan's foreign minister is also attending the SCO foreign ministers' meeting. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is the first Pakistani foreign minister to visit India since 2011.

India holds the chair of G20 & SCO, treading a diplomatic tightrope amid fractured East-West ties

<p>They say optics matter and international relations are not untouched by it either. All eyes are on the ongoing Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting in the Indian state of Goa, where foreign ministers of the member states have marked their presence under New Delhi's chairmanship.</p>

<p>The greetings upon the arrival of ministers ahead of any crucial summit like the SCO foreign ministers' meet are usually carried out with a firm handshake and photo op.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, it was not business as usual on Friday when Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/baps-swaminarayan-temple-vandalised-in-sydney-by-khalistan-supporters-reports-589067">BAPS Swaminarayan temple vandalised in Sydney by Khalistan supporters: Reports</a></p>

<p>Upon receiving Zardari, who arrived from Pakistan yesterday to attend SCO summit, Jaishankar chose to greet the Pakistani foreign minister with a 'Namaste' rather than a handshake.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On the arrival podium ahead of the commencement of the SCO meeting, there were no handshakes between the two ministers, at least not publicly.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Jaishankar did Namaste to the Pakistani foreign minister just like he did with other foreign ministers, including the China's Qin Gang.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-regional-bank-western-alliance-quashes-report-of-exploring-potential-sale-589038">US regional bank Western Alliance quashes report of exploring potential sale</a></p>

<h2><strong>So, why did Jaishankar choose not to shake hands?</strong></h2>

<p>Every gesture matters in international affairs. Remember Biden's fist bump with the Saudi crown prince and the striking photograph which was much discussed in the world arena?</p>

<p>Even when Rajnath Singh met his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu at the SCO defence ministers' meet, the Indian defence minister skipped a handshake.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He, just like Jaishankar, chose to welcome his Chinese counterpart with a Namaste.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Leaving alone only the Chinese counterpart, Singh shook hands with Tajik, Iranian and Kazakh counterparts. The video footage gained much traction on social media and was shared widely.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India's ties with Pakistan are strained even further after the Pulawama terror attack and the revocation of Article 370 on the status of Jammu and Kashmir. Jaishankar, on many international forums, has brought the attention of the world towards the state-sponsored cross-border terrorism by Pakistan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Watch | China issues report on US CIA's cyberattacks on other countries</p>

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<p>India's retaliation to the Pulwama attack with Balakot strikes in 2019 was New Delhi's befitting reply to Islamabad.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The most recent incident which left five soldiers dead and many others injured in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district was Pakistan’s act of “desperation” after the 2019 Balakot air strikes, as per Lt. Gen. (Retd) Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon, media reports said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“After Pulwama, the Indian government’s resolve and their will to strike at will was showcased when we carried out the air strikes in Balakot. As per technical terminology, when the Air Force fully armed crosses the international boundary it’s actually a declaration of war,” said Dhillon.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He added, “(The) Indian Air Force crossed the Line of Control, overflew Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, suppressed the Pakistani air defence, defeated the Pakistani Air Force and crossed the international boundary.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dhillon cautioned Pakistan that India will hit back if Pulwama is repeated.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Balakot is not in PoK, Balakot is in proper Pakistan. So IAF struck in proper Pakistan, destroyed the camp and came back safely without even being noticed or touched by the Pakistani air defence. So that was the lesson told to Pakistan that we will hit back if you try out anything like this (Pulwama),” he added.</p>

<p>Apart from that, India-China relations have also suffered several blows in recent years. Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang in his meeting with Jaishankar said, “Both sides should continue to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, consolidate the existing achievements, strictly abide by relevant agreements, take joint action to further ease and cool down the border situation and maintain sustainable peace and tranquillity in the border areas."</p>

<p>But the tensions cut deeper than the diplomatic words. Starting from Galwan clashes to China's renaming of about 11 places in Arunachal Pradesh, the relationship is marred by varied incidents. India has already rejected China's renaming of places in Arunachal Pradesh, and the instances like Namaste for a handshake are not a surprise and are often resorted to conveying a strong warning or a message.&nbsp;</p>

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They say optics matter and international relations are not untouched by it either. All eyes are on the ongoing Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting in the Indian state of Goa, where foreign ministers of the member states have marked their presence under New Delhi's chairmanship.

They say optics matter and international relations are not untouched by it either. All eyes are on the ongoing Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting in the Indian state of Goa, where foreign ministers of the member states have marked their presence under New Delhi's chairmanship. The greetings upon the arrival of ministers ahead of any crucial summit like the SCO foreign ministers' meet are usually carried out with a firm handshake and photo op. However, it was not business as usual on Friday when Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Also Read | BAPS Swaminarayan temple vandalised in Sydney by Khalistan supporters: Reports Upon receiving Zardari, who arrived from Pakistan yesterday to attend SCO summit, Jaishankar chose to greet the Pakistani foreign minister with a 'Namaste' rather than a handshake. On the arrival podium ahead of the commencement of the SCO meeting, there were no handshakes between the two ministers, at least not publicly. Jaishankar did Namaste to the Pakistani foreign minister just like he did with other foreign ministers, including the China's Qin Gang. Also Read | US regional bank Western Alliance quashes report of exploring potential sale So, why did Jaishankar choose not to shake hands? Every gesture matters in international affairs. Remember Biden's fist bump with the Saudi crown prince and the striking photograph which was much discussed in the world arena? Even when Rajnath Singh met his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu at the SCO defence ministers' meet, the Indian defence minister skipped a handshake. He, just like Jaishankar, chose to welcome his Chinese counterpart with a Namaste. Leaving alone only the Chinese counterpart, Singh shook hands with Tajik, Iranian and Kazakh counterparts. The video footage gained much traction on social media and was shared widely. India's ties with Pakistan are strained even further after the Pulawama terror attack and the revocation of Article 370 on the status of Jammu and Kashmir. Jaishankar, on many international forums, has brought the attention of the world towards the state-sponsored cross-border terrorism by Pakistan. Watch | China issues report on US CIA's cyberattacks on other countries × India's retaliation to the Pulwama attack with Balakot strikes in 2019 was New Delhi's befitting reply to Islamabad. The most recent incident which left five soldiers dead and many others injured in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district was Pakistan’s act of “desperation” after the 2019 Balakot air strikes, as per Lt. Gen. (Retd) Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon, media reports said. “After Pulwama, the Indian government’s resolve and their will to strike at will was showcased when we carried out the air strikes in Balakot. As per technical terminology, when the Air Force fully armed crosses the international boundary it’s actually a declaration of war,” said Dhillon. He added, “(The) Indian Air Force crossed the Line of Control, overflew Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, suppressed the Pakistani air defence, defeated the Pakistani Air Force and crossed the international boundary.” Dhillon cautioned Pakistan that India will hit back if Pulwama is repeated. “Balakot is not in PoK, Balakot is in proper Pakistan. So IAF struck in proper Pakistan, destroyed the camp and came back safely without even being noticed or touched by the Pakistani air defence. So that was the lesson told to Pakistan that we will hit back if you try out anything like this (Pulwama),” he added. Apart from that, India-China relations have also suffered several blows in recent years. Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang in his meeting with Jaishankar said, “Both sides should continue to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, consolidate the existing achievements, strictly abide by relevant agreements, take joint action to further ease and cool down the border situation and maintain sustainable peace and tranquillity in the border areas." But the tensions cut deeper than the diplomatic words. Starting from Galwan clashes to China's renaming of about 11 places in Arunachal Pradesh, the relationship is marred by varied incidents. India has already rejected China's renaming of places in Arunachal Pradesh, and the instances like Namaste for a handshake are not a surprise and are often resorted to conveying a strong warning or a message. 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.

Bilawal Bhutto and S Jaishankar: Why no handshakes at SCO foreign ministers' meet?

The Foreign Ministers' of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) are meeting in Goa to discuss regional security matters adding Iran and Belarus to the grouping. Amid fractured East and West relationship, India, which holds the chair of both G20 and SCO - this year is treading a diplomatic tight rope.

SCO summit 2023: India holds chair of G20 & SCO this year | World News | WION

At the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Goa, India, Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar made a strong statement against terrorism. He welcomed Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to the meeting and then spoke about the “menace of terrorism”, including cross-border terrorism.

Indian Foreign Minister strongly condemns terrorism at SCO meeting

<p>Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday (May 4) that China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang will travel to Pakistan on Friday for a two-day visit after attending the&nbsp;Shanghai Co-operation Organisation Foreign Ministers meet (SCO) hosted by India in Goa.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Qin is attending the SCO Foreign Ministers meeting being held on May 4 and 5 in Panaji, Goa where his Pakistan counterpart Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is also present.</p>

<p>In addition to being the Foreign Minister, Qin is also the state Councillor of China. It is a higher rank associated with the Communist Party of China.</p>

<p>SCO bloc consists of China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India holds the presidency of the grouping for this year.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | SCO Foreign Ministers Meet: Pak FM Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to attend summit, no meeting with India</strong></p>

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<p>Notably, the Chinese Foreign Ministry while announcing the visit of Qin to Myanmar and India on May 2 did not include his visit to Islamabad, though the Pakistan media reported about it.</p>

<p>The ministry instead announced his visit to Pakistan separately on Thursday.</p>

<p>During his Pakistan visit, Qin Gang is due to take part in China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' meeting.</p>

<p>The trilateral is being held less than a month after the 'Neighbouring Countries of Afghanistan Plus Afghanistan'&nbsp;Foreign Ministers meeting of China, Russia, Pakistan and Iran in Samarkand, in which Qin presided.</p>

<p>Announcing Qin's visit to Pakistan, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said that this will be his first visit to Pakistan after taking charge and "an important part of the recent close and frequent interactions between the high levels of China and Pakistan".</p>

<p>The reference apparently was the just concluded maiden visit of Pakistan's new Army Chief Asim Munir, here during which he held a series of meetings with top Chinese Generals and top diplomat Wang Yi who is the Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee.</p>

<p>During Gen. Munir's visit, China's new Premier Li Qiang also held his first phone call with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and promised continued financial help for Pakistan which is facing a serious political and economic crisis.</p>

<p>In Pakistan Qin will "meet with the leader of Pakistan and co-chair the fourth round of China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue with Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari", the foreign ministry statement which included a Q&amp;A posted on the website on Friday said.</p>

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Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday (May 4) that China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang will travel to Pakistan on Friday for a two-day visit after attending the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation Foreign Ministers meet (SCO) hosted by India in Goa.

Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday (May 4) that China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang will travel to Pakistan on Friday for a two-day visit after attending the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation Foreign Ministers meet (SCO) hosted by India in Goa. Qin is attending the SCO Foreign Ministers meeting being held on May 4 and 5 in Panaji, Goa where his Pakistan counterpart Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is also present. In addition to being the Foreign Minister, Qin is also the state Councillor of China. It is a higher rank associated with the Communist Party of China. SCO bloc consists of China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India holds the presidency of the grouping for this year. Watch | SCO Foreign Ministers Meet: Pak FM Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to attend summit, no meeting with India × Notably, the Chinese Foreign Ministry while announcing the visit of Qin to Myanmar and India on May 2 did not include his visit to Islamabad, though the Pakistan media reported about it. The ministry instead announced his visit to Pakistan separately on Thursday. During his Pakistan visit, Qin Gang is due to take part in China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' meeting. The trilateral is being held less than a month after the 'Neighbouring Countries of Afghanistan Plus Afghanistan' Foreign Ministers meeting of China, Russia, Pakistan and Iran in Samarkand, in which Qin presided. Announcing Qin's visit to Pakistan, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said that this will be his first visit to Pakistan after taking charge and "an important part of the recent close and frequent interactions between the high levels of China and Pakistan". The reference apparently was the just concluded maiden visit of Pakistan's new Army Chief Asim Munir, here during which he held a series of meetings with top Chinese Generals and top diplomat Wang Yi who is the Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee. During Gen. Munir's visit, China's new Premier Li Qiang also held his first phone call with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and promised continued financial help for Pakistan which is facing a serious political and economic crisis. In Pakistan Qin will "meet with the leader of Pakistan and co-chair the fourth round of China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue with Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari", the foreign ministry statement which included a Q&A posted on the website on Friday said. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Qin Gang, Chinese foreign minister, will visit Pakistan after SCO meet

Indian foreign minister S Jaishankar will be holding key bilateral talks with Russian and Chinese counterparts in Goa today. The bilaterals come ahead of the meeting of foreign ministers of the SCO grouping tomorrow. Sergei Lavrov's visit is the third high-level visit from Russia in the last three weeks. Remember, Russian deputy prime minister Denis Manturov and Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu visited New Delhi recently. India has long-standing ties with Russia and has so far not condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine. However, last year, PM Modi told Putin that this is not a time for war. Ties between India and China have seen a steep fall since the 2020 clash in Ladakh's Galwan Valley. Wang Yi, now China's top diplomat, visited New Delhi last year, and met Indian counterpart S Jaishankar. And in March, China's new foreign minister, Qin Gang, attended the G20 meeting in New Delhi. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is the first Pakistani foreign minister to visit India since 2011.

Russian and Chinese Foreign Ministers in India for the second time this year | Details

The Shanghai Cooperation organization is an intergovernmental organization founded in Shanghai on 15 June 2001. Since its inception, the S.C.O. Has mainly focused on regional security issues and the fight against terrorism, separatism, and extremism. Priorities of the grouping also include regional development. The S.C.O. Has been an observer in the un general assembly since 2005. In 2010, the un and S.C.O. Secretariats signed a joint declaration on cooperation. The S.C.O. Currently comprises eight member states - India, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Four S.C.O. observer states - Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia, are interested in acceding to full membership. There are dialogue partners too - Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Turkey. In 2021, the decision was made to start the accession process of Iran to the S.C.O. As a full member. Egypt, Qatar, as well as Saudi Arabia, became dialogue partners.

How India, Russia, China & other SCO countries work to promote regional development | Details

<p>Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday shared a video message ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) bilateral meetings scheduled for the day in Goa. In the brief clip shared on his Twitter account, the Pakistan minister spoke about his plans in India and Pakistan's stance on the gathering of this key multilateral forum.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The main agenda for the SCO forum, since its formation, has been to combat terrorism and promote peace in the region. India on many forums has rebuked Pakistan for its state-sponsored terrorism.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In&nbsp;the video, Bilawal was seen saying that Pakistan is committed to the SCO forum and the country takes it in all its seriousness.&nbsp;The Pakistan minister added that he is looking forward to holding talks with the members of the SCO grouping.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"On my way to Goa, India. Will be leading the Pakistan delegation at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization CFM. My decision to attend this meeting illustrates Pakistan’s strong commitment to the charter of SCO. During my visit, which is focused exclusively on the SCO, I look forward to constructive discussions with my counterparts from friendly countries," Zardari tweeted ahead of his arrival.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wagner-leader-says-ukraine-counter-offensive-has-begun-death-toll-from-kherson-shelling-rises-to-21-588678">Wagner leader says Ukraine counter-offensive has begun; Death toll from Kherson shelling rises to 21</a></p>

<p>India is the chair of SCO for 2023 and in alignment with its commitment to work together with all the nations in the region, New Delhi had extended its invitation to Pakistan FM Bilawal Bhutto.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">On my way to Goa, India. Will be leading the Pakistan delegation at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization CFM. My decision to attend this meeting illustrates Pakistan’s strong commitment to the charter of SCO.<br />
<br />
During my visit, which is focused exclusively on the SCO, I look… <a href="https://t.co/cChUWj9okR">pic.twitter.com/cChUWj9okR</a></p>
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBhuttoZardari/status/1653998914712883200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Bilawal Bhutto would be the first Pakistani foreign minister to visit India since 2011. As per reports, Islamabad said that he will not hold any meeting with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-14-killed-25-injured-after-road-accident-in-egypt-588676">At least 14 killed, 25 injured after road accident in Egypt: Reports</a></p>

<p>The Pulwama attack severed India's already strained ties with Pakistan. India, in retaliation, gave a befitting response to Pakistan by attacking the Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp in Balakot in Pakistan in February 2019.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Iran seizes Panama-flagged oil tanker in Tehran on judicial order | World News | WION</strong></p>

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<p>Another blow to the relations was when India revoked Jammu and Kashmir's Article 370. Pakistan reacted by suspending trade relations with India.&nbsp;</p>

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Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday shared a video message ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) bilateral meetings scheduled for the day in Goa.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday shared a video message ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) bilateral meetings scheduled for the day in Goa. In the brief clip shared on his Twitter account, the Pakistan minister spoke about his plans in India and Pakistan's stance on the gathering of this key multilateral forum. The main agenda for the SCO forum, since its formation, has been to combat terrorism and promote peace in the region. India on many forums has rebuked Pakistan for its state-sponsored terrorism. In the video, Bilawal was seen saying that Pakistan is committed to the SCO forum and the country takes it in all its seriousness. The Pakistan minister added that he is looking forward to holding talks with the members of the SCO grouping. "On my way to Goa, India. Will be leading the Pakistan delegation at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization CFM. My decision to attend this meeting illustrates Pakistan’s strong commitment to the charter of SCO. During my visit, which is focused exclusively on the SCO, I look forward to constructive discussions with my counterparts from friendly countries," Zardari tweeted ahead of his arrival. Also Read | Wagner leader says Ukraine counter-offensive has begun; Death toll from Kherson shelling rises to 21 India is the chair of SCO for 2023 and in alignment with its commitment to work together with all the nations in the region, New Delhi had extended its invitation to Pakistan FM Bilawal Bhutto. On my way to Goa, India. Will be leading the Pakistan delegation at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization CFM. My decision to attend this meeting illustrates Pakistan’s strong commitment to the charter of SCO. During my visit, which is focused exclusively on the SCO, I look… pic.twitter.com/cChUWj9okR — BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) May 4, 2023 × Bilawal Bhutto would be the first Pakistani foreign minister to visit India since 2011. As per reports, Islamabad said that he will not hold any meeting with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar. Also Read | At least 14 killed, 25 injured after road accident in Egypt: Reports The Pulwama attack severed India's already strained ties with Pakistan. India, in retaliation, gave a befitting response to Pakistan by attacking the Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp in Balakot in Pakistan in February 2019. Watch | Iran seizes Panama-flagged oil tanker in Tehran on judicial order | World News | WION × Another blow to the relations was when India revoked Jammu and Kashmir's Article 370. Pakistan reacted by suspending trade relations with India. 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.

Pakistan is committed to the SCO forum, says Bilawal Bhutto Zardari

<p>Ahead of Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto's India visit to&nbsp;participate in a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), WIONs Pakistan Bureau Chief <em><strong>Anas Mallick</strong></em> spoke to&nbsp;Hina&nbsp;Rabbani&nbsp;Khar, the country's minister of state for foreign affairs. When quizzed if the timing was right for Bhutto's visit, especially in the current politically charged climate, Khar said it was not an India visit, but an SCO visit.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The most important thing to notice here is the chairperson of PPP has chosen to be the foreign minister of Pakistan and he takes his job very seriously, so what might not be the politically right thing to do, or the popular thing to do, but it is the correct thing to do as far Pakistan’s interests are concerned," said Khar in an exclusive interview.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Within the same line, why the India visit? It is not an India visit, It must not be seen as an India visit. It’s an SCO visit. SCO happens to be an organisation - before [India and Pakistan] becoming full members , there&nbsp;was a precondition that bilateral disputes or issues should not come in the way of SCO work."&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistans-foreign-minister-bilawal-bhutto-to-attend-sco-meeting-in-goa-india-english-news-wion-584387"><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto to attend SCO meeting in Goa, India</strong></a></p>

<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistans-foreign-minister-bilawal-bhutto-to-attend-sco-meeting-in-goa-india-english-news-wion-584387/embed" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/visit-should-not-be-pakistan-fm-bilawal-bhutto-on-attending-sco-meet-in-india-584855#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></p>

<p>"This is not a bilateral visit. It is a visit to SCO event which is in Goa where the foreign minister is going. If it was in Timbuktu, the foreign minister would be going, If it was in Washington DC, the foreign minister would be going. The foreign minster is going to an SCO event and that is the reality of it."</p>

<p>She added that since the SCO was set up, Pakistan's FM had been attending every ministerial meeting and thus it did not make sense to sit out a meeting of such importance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Notably, this will be the first time that a Pakistan foreign minister will be visiting India since Khar herself visited the country in 2011. Moreover, after former PM Nawaz Sharif's visit in 2014 for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony, this will be the first high-level visit by a Pakistani leader.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/visit-should-not-be-pakistan-fm-bilawal-bhutto-on-attending-sco-meet-in-india-584855"><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;'Visit should not be...': Pakistan FM Bilawal Bhutto on attending SCO meet in India</strong></a></p>

<h2><strong>Pakistan may raise the Kashmir issue</strong></h2>

<p>When pressed if Pakistan will be raising the Kashmir issue as it had been doing on most global platforms, Khar said her government only talked about the reality of the region.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"As far as what should we read into it or should we expect, you can expect anything you wish. You can be delusional and expect anything you wish, but as I have already categorically mentioned, there is no bilateral element in this visit."</p>

<p>"Kashmir is not a Pakistan problem. Kashmir is a problem. It doesn’t become a problem if we say it is a problem, it is a problem because we recognise [it at] the highest international body UNSC as a dispute between the two countries, and this dispute was not taken to the security council by Pakistan, it was taken by India," she added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"So when it comes to talking about Kashmir, anywhere everywhere, Pakistan brings out the reality of Kashmir and Pakistan will continue to do so."</p>

<p>India took over the chairmanship of the SCO grouping last year after the Samarkand edition. New Delhi on April 27 and 28 chaired the SCO defence ministers' meet, with Pakistan's defence minister giving the event a slip.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


Ahead of Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto's India visit to participate in a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), WIONs Pakistan Bureau Chief Anas Mallick spoke to Hina Rabbani Khar, the country's minister of state for foreign affairs.

Ahead of Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto's India visit to participate in a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), WIONs Pakistan Bureau Chief Anas Mallick spoke to Hina Rabbani Khar, the country's minister of state for foreign affairs. When quizzed if the timing was right for Bhutto's visit, especially in the current politically charged climate, Khar said it was not an India visit, but an SCO visit. "The most important thing to notice here is the chairperson of PPP has chosen to be the foreign minister of Pakistan and he takes his job very seriously, so what might not be the politically right thing to do, or the popular thing to do, but it is the correct thing to do as far Pakistan’s interests are concerned," said Khar in an exclusive interview. "Within the same line, why the India visit? It is not an India visit, It must not be seen as an India visit. It’s an SCO visit. SCO happens to be an organisation - before [India and Pakistan] becoming full members , there was a precondition that bilateral disputes or issues should not come in the way of SCO work." WATCH | Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto to attend SCO meeting in Goa, India × "This is not a bilateral visit. It is a visit to SCO event which is in Goa where the foreign minister is going. If it was in Timbuktu, the foreign minister would be going, If it was in Washington DC, the foreign minister would be going. The foreign minster is going to an SCO event and that is the reality of it." She added that since the SCO was set up, Pakistan's FM had been attending every ministerial meeting and thus it did not make sense to sit out a meeting of such importance. Notably, this will be the first time that a Pakistan foreign minister will be visiting India since Khar herself visited the country in 2011. Moreover, after former PM Nawaz Sharif's visit in 2014 for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony, this will be the first high-level visit by a Pakistani leader. ALSO READ | 'Visit should not be...': Pakistan FM Bilawal Bhutto on attending SCO meet in India Pakistan may raise the Kashmir issue When pressed if Pakistan will be raising the Kashmir issue as it had been doing on most global platforms, Khar said her government only talked about the reality of the region. "As far as what should we read into it or should we expect, you can expect anything you wish. You can be delusional and expect anything you wish, but as I have already categorically mentioned, there is no bilateral element in this visit." "Kashmir is not a Pakistan problem. Kashmir is a problem. It doesn’t become a problem if we say it is a problem, it is a problem because we recognise [it at] the highest international body UNSC as a dispute between the two countries, and this dispute was not taken to the security council by Pakistan, it was taken by India," she added. "So when it comes to talking about Kashmir, anywhere everywhere, Pakistan brings out the reality of Kashmir and Pakistan will continue to do so." India took over the chairmanship of the SCO grouping last year after the Samarkand edition. New Delhi on April 27 and 28 chaired the SCO defence ministers' meet, with Pakistan's defence minister giving the event a slip. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Exclusive: It's not India visit but SCO visit, Pak minister Hina Rabbani on FM Bhutto attending SCO meeting

Defence Ministers of China and Russia attended the crucial defence ministers’ SCO meeting in New Delhi on Friday. It was the first time that leaders of China and India met since the Galwan clash. Amid the ongoing border tensions with China, what will be India’s long-term expectations from the SCO grouping? Vikram Chandra finds out from former foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal and foreign policy commentator, Indrani Bagchi.

SCO Summit 2023: Rajnath Singh chairs SCO Defence Ministers meeting in New Delhi

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday chaired the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' meeting in New Delhi. Defence Ministers of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan took part in the meeting. Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif attended the meeting virtually. The main focus of the meeting is regional security situations and development.

SCO 2023: Pakistan attends Defence Ministers meet hosted by India

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