SCO Presidency has been handed over to India until September 2023. India to host SCO national coordinators meet. The top focus will be on Global financial markets. The COVID pandemic, climate change & supply chain disruption is also on the cards.

India to host SCO national coordinators meet: Global financial markets to be the top focus

SCO Presidency has been handed over to India until September 2023. The top focus will be on Global financial markets. The COVID pandemic, climate change & supply chain disruption is also on the cards.

SCO Presidency handed over to India: SCO to push focus on Eurasia

India is all set to host the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) national coordinators' meeting next week in Delhi. The meet will take place from October 17-18 and will be the first such national coordinator meet under the Indian presidency. New Delhi took over the presidency of the nine-member grouping earlier this year at the Samarkand SCO summit.&nbsp;

National coordinator, basically the role "Sherpas" play in G20 meetings decide on the issues that will be taken up in the grouping. India's national coordinator for SCO is Yojna Patel, an IFS of 2000 batch. The meet takes place in a hybrid mode, with the Pakistani delegation also attending it. During the course of the event, the focus will also be on agenda under the Indian presidency of the grouping.&nbsp;

India will be holding the SCO foreign, defence, national security advisers and summit-level meeting of the grouping next year. This month India also hosted anti-terror SCO drills in Haryana and the SCO's Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) council meet.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-dispatch-sco-summit-2022-we-are-supporting-innovation-in-every-sector-516867">WATCH |&nbsp;WION Dispatch: SCO Summit 2022: 'We are supporting innovation in every sector'</a>

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The grouping, which came into being in 2001 has nine countries as its members viz. Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Iran and the four central Asian countries viz. Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan. Iran became the latest member of the grouping this year and will attend the summit as a full-fledged member next year at the India SCO summit.&nbsp;

India, along with Pakistan became a member of the grouping in 2017. Geographically, economically and population wise, it is one of the largest groupings on the planet, extending from Vladivostok to Chabahar and from St Petersburg to Chennai.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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India is all set to host the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) national coordinators' meeting next week in Delhi. The meet will take place from October 17-18 and will be the first such national coordinator meet under the Indian presidency.

India is all set to host the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) national coordinators' meeting next week in Delhi. The meet will take place from October 17-18 and will be the first such national coordinator meet under the Indian presidency. New Delhi took over the presidency of the nine-member grouping earlier this year at the Samarkand SCO summit. National coordinator, basically the role "Sherpas" play in G20 meetings decide on the issues that will be taken up in the grouping. India's national coordinator for SCO is Yojna Patel, an IFS of 2000 batch. The meet takes place in a hybrid mode, with the Pakistani delegation also attending it. During the course of the event, the focus will also be on agenda under the Indian presidency of the grouping. India will be holding the SCO foreign, defence, national security advisers and summit-level meeting of the grouping next year. This month India also hosted anti-terror SCO drills in Haryana and the SCO's Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) council meet. WATCH | WION Dispatch: SCO Summit 2022: 'We are supporting innovation in every sector' × The grouping, which came into being in 2001 has nine countries as its members viz. Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Iran and the four central Asian countries viz. Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan. Iran became the latest member of the grouping this year and will attend the summit as a full-fledged member next year at the India SCO summit. India, along with Pakistan became a member of the grouping in 2017. Geographically, economically and population wise, it is one of the largest groupings on the planet, extending from Vladivostok to Chabahar and from St Petersburg to Chennai. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

India to host SCO national coordinators’ meet next week

Chinese president Xi Jinping reappeared on state television on Tuesday after several days of absence from public view, that its sparked rumors about his political circumstances. Jingping's appearance comes 11 days after returning from the Shanghai Corporation organization summit.

Chinese president Xi Jinping appears in public for the first time since SCO summit

The relationship between India and Turkiye, marked by irritants such as Ankara’s position on the Kashmir issue, is getting friendlier after the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Samarkand during the recent SCO summit. &nbsp;

Although External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had taken a hard line against Turkiye, the Modi-Erdogan meeting, notable for its “very constructive discussions” set the tone for a significant shift. Interestingly, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is perceived to have been instrumental in bringing about the shift that Modi wanted in India’s ties with Turkey. &nbsp;

Knowledgeable sources say that Goyal worked overtime and apprised the prime minister of the dangers of isolating Turkiye, especially the adverse impact of this on Indian industry. He drew attention to the fact that Turkiye is a global logistic power, from which India cannot remain distanced for too long. &nbsp;&nbsp;

There are some 150 Indian companies that have a presence in Istanbul. The bulk of them also conduct their business in Europe from Istanbul as it is more economical to operate out of Turkiye than Germany or elsewhere in Europe. Many of these companies are in the business of getting iron ore, coal and such raw materials into Turkiye, from where they then supply these to Europe as and when the need arises.&nbsp;

These business groups are said to have pushed their case with Goyal, who saw merit in their viewpoints and conveyed it to the prime minister. Thereafter, according to sources, instructions went from the prime minister for improving relations.&nbsp;

However, the process to reset relations with Turkiye had begun in early 2022, with a view to create the conditions that would be conducive for Modi and Erdogan to meet in Samarkand and show some result. As part of this process, MEA’s Secretary (West) Sanjay Verma had visited Ankara to clear the decks for reviving foreign office consultations, which were indeed held on June 10.&nbsp;

By then India had also appointed an ambassador to Turkiye. This was a reversal of the hard line that an envoy need not be sent until Ankara changed its stand on Kashmir and stopped backing Pakistan. &nbsp;

During the period of this hard line, Jaishankar was opposed to having any truck with Turkiye. He was angry that Turkiye helped Pakistan to dodge blacklisting by the FATF. In October 2021, there was a plan to have a statue of Mahatma Gandhi at a park in Ankara, which was cancelled at the eleventh hour. The bust had arrived in Ankara from New Delhi, only to be followed by a message from Jaishankar to cancel the event and keep relations cold to ‘punish’ Turkiye for Erdogan raking up the Kashmir issue again at the UN in September 2021. As a result, there was a palpable coolness when the new Turkish ambassador arrived in New Delhi. &nbsp;

Both India and Turkiye seem to have put that phase behind and moved on to engage productively. This is reflected in Erdogan’s address to the UN General Assembly on September 21, where he said it is “unfortunate” that India and Pakistan have not been able to establish peace 75 years after independence and hoped for “fair and permanent peace” in Kashmir.&nbsp;

Such a statement, to which Jaishankar responded with a reference to Turkey’s Cyprus problem, is viewed as being “neutral” and one result of the Modi-Erdogan talks in Samarkand. Neither Erdogan nor Jaishankar internationalised the issues (Kashmir and Cyprus, respectively); and, both desisted from referring to the UN Security Council resolutions on the respective issues.&nbsp;

The shift in relations seems to stem from the perception that it would be more productive for India, as an Asian power, to keep the focus on the big picture in its dealings with Turkey which is a Mediterranean power. Ankara’s sense of the war in Ukraine can be useful for New Delhi when Turkiye is seeking to position itself as a potential peacemaker on the world stage. And, the peacemaker’s role is something that is also being urged upon India especially after Modi’s observation to Russian President Vladimir Putin that “this is not an era of war”.

Commerce seems to have succeeded where diplomacy could not.

(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 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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&nbsp;

The relationship between India and Turkiye, marked by irritants such as Ankara’s position on the Kashmir issue, is getting friendlier after the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Samarkand during the recent SCO summit.

The relationship between India and Turkiye, marked by irritants such as Ankara’s position on the Kashmir issue, is getting friendlier after the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Samarkand during the recent SCO summit. Although External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had taken a hard line against Turkiye, the Modi-Erdogan meeting, notable for its “very constructive discussions” set the tone for a significant shift. Interestingly, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is perceived to have been instrumental in bringing about the shift that Modi wanted in India’s ties with Turkey. Knowledgeable sources say that Goyal worked overtime and apprised the prime minister of the dangers of isolating Turkiye, especially the adverse impact of this on Indian industry. He drew attention to the fact that Turkiye is a global logistic power, from which India cannot remain distanced for too long. There are some 150 Indian companies that have a presence in Istanbul. The bulk of them also conduct their business in Europe from Istanbul as it is more economical to operate out of Turkiye than Germany or elsewhere in Europe. Many of these companies are in the business of getting iron ore, coal and such raw materials into Turkiye, from where they then supply these to Europe as and when the need arises. These business groups are said to have pushed their case with Goyal, who saw merit in their viewpoints and conveyed it to the prime minister. Thereafter, according to sources, instructions went from the prime minister for improving relations. However, the process to reset relations with Turkiye had begun in early 2022, with a view to create the conditions that would be conducive for Modi and Erdogan to meet in Samarkand and show some result. As part of this process, MEA’s Secretary (West) Sanjay Verma had visited Ankara to clear the decks for reviving foreign office consultations, which were indeed held on June 10. By then India had also appointed an ambassador to Turkiye. This was a reversal of the hard line that an envoy need not be sent until Ankara changed its stand on Kashmir and stopped backing Pakistan. During the period of this hard line, Jaishankar was opposed to having any truck with Turkiye. He was angry that Turkiye helped Pakistan to dodge blacklisting by the FATF. In October 2021, there was a plan to have a statue of Mahatma Gandhi at a park in Ankara, which was cancelled at the eleventh hour. The bust had arrived in Ankara from New Delhi, only to be followed by a message from Jaishankar to cancel the event and keep relations cold to ‘punish’ Turkiye for Erdogan raking up the Kashmir issue again at the UN in September 2021. As a result, there was a palpable coolness when the new Turkish ambassador arrived in New Delhi. Both India and Turkiye seem to have put that phase behind and moved on to engage productively. This is reflected in Erdogan’s address to the UN General Assembly on September 21, where he said it is “unfortunate” that India and Pakistan have not been able to establish peace 75 years after independence and hoped for “fair and permanent peace” in Kashmir. Such a statement, to which Jaishankar responded with a reference to Turkey’s Cyprus problem, is viewed as being “neutral” and one result of the Modi-Erdogan talks in Samarkand. Neither Erdogan nor Jaishankar internationalised the issues (Kashmir and Cyprus, respectively); and, both desisted from referring to the UN Security Council resolutions on the respective issues. The shift in relations seems to stem from the perception that it would be more productive for India, as an Asian power, to keep the focus on the big picture in its dealings with Turkey which is a Mediterranean power. Ankara’s sense of the war in Ukraine can be useful for New Delhi when Turkiye is seeking to position itself as a potential peacemaker on the world stage. And, the peacemaker’s role is something that is also being urged upon India especially after Modi’s observation to Russian President Vladimir Putin that “this is not an era of war”. Commerce seems to have succeeded where diplomacy could not. (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 ×

WION Spotlight | Modi-Erdogan meet lifts up India-Turkiye ties

India's prime minister Narendra Modi who is in Samrkand addressed the SEO leaders on day two of the SCO summit. During his speech, Indian PM emphasized on how the country supports mutual trust among SEO leaders and also raised the issue of transit rights between member states.

PM Modi promotes Indian innovation at SCO summit, seeks ‘free transit rights’

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said he is yet to decide whether to personally attend a summit of the Group of 20 nations in Indonesia in November. However, Putin, told reporters in Uzbekistan after the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit that Russia would be represented at the meeting.

He also talked about his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping the previous day&nbsp;and said that it had been "normal."

Speaking to reporters after the summit, Putin said he had discussed measures to boost Russia-China trade during his meeting with Xi. This was also the first time that Putin&nbsp;publicly acknowledged China's "concerns" about the war in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Putin on the sidelines of the summit that "today's era is not of war"&nbsp;and the two leaders also discussed a number of topics including the food and fuel crisis, fertiliser supply and the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

"I know that today's era is not an era of war, and I have spoken to you on the phone about this," Modi told Putin according to Reuters as he also urged the bloc to work together.

Putin said that he understood India’s position as well as concerns regarding the Ukraine war and added that Russia “wants all of this to end as soon as possible."

(With inputs from agencies)

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Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said he is yet to decide whether to personally attend a summit of the Group of 20 nations in Indonesia in November. However, Putin, told reporters in Uzbekistan after the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit that Russia would be represented at the meeting.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said he is yet to decide whether to personally attend a summit of the Group of 20 nations in Indonesia in November. However, Putin, told reporters in Uzbekistan after the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit that Russia would be represented at the meeting. He also talked about his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping the previous day and said that it had been "normal." Speaking to reporters after the summit, Putin said he had discussed measures to boost Russia-China trade during his meeting with Xi. This was also the first time that Putin publicly acknowledged China's "concerns" about the war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Putin on the sidelines of the summit that "today's era is not of war" and the two leaders also discussed a number of topics including the food and fuel crisis, fertiliser supply and the ongoing Ukraine conflict. "I know that today's era is not an era of war, and I have spoken to you on the phone about this," Modi told Putin according to Reuters as he also urged the bloc to work together. Putin said that he understood India’s position as well as concerns regarding the Ukraine war and added that Russia “wants all of this to end as soon as possible." (With inputs from agencies)

Yet to decide whether I will personally attend G20 summit, says Putin

China Telecom released a statement on social media saying,&nbsp;“By 4:30 pm today, the fire at our No. 2 Communications Tower in Changsha has been extinguished. No casualties have yet been discovered and communications have not been cut off." In other news,iIn the wake of the publication of the retail sales numbers, the sterling dropped more than 1 per cent&nbsp;versus the dollar, reaching $1.13, its lowest level since 1985.&nbsp;

Click on the headlines to read more:

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/massive-fire-breaks-out-in-skyscraper-in-chinese-city-of-changsha-watch-516836">Massive fire breaks out in skyscraper in Chinese city of Changsha - WATCH</a>
<img alt="1" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3d8f0b4c-7ca9-401b-a03a-944dcbb1fc1b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/296336-skyscraper-on-fire-in-china-news-urix-foreign.png.jpeg" />
he Chinese city of Changsha saw a huge fire break out in a skyscraper on Friday resulting in a number of people getting injured. “Thick smoke is spewing from the site, and several dozen floors are burning ferociously,” the state broadcaster CCTV reported. However, they did not mention if there were any casualties and said that the firefighters were working to control the fire.“

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/pound-hits-new-37-year-low-as-consumer-spending-falls-516825">Pound hits new 37-year low as consumer spending falls, stokes recession chatter</a>
<img alt="2" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8a9731b5-18b7-4683-9c5f-2b11376a2277" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/294165-1100x1100_0.jpeg" />
After data revealed that UK retail sales plunged significantly in August as the rise in the cost of living continued to affect consumers, the pound dropped to a fresh 37-year low against the US dollar.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sco-summit-2022-narendra-modi-tells-vladimir-putin-now-is-not-a-time-for-war-516862">SCO Summit 2022: Narendra Modi tells Vladimir Putin 'today's era is not of war'</a>
<img alt="3" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="da993f57-7648-4d29-9e69-992eb3d9c119" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/296355-fcx0trjaaacbldi.jpg" />
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) 2022 at Samarkand in Uzbekistan on Friday. Modi told Putin that 'today's era is not of war' and the two leaders also discussed a number of topics including the food and fuel crisis, fertiliser supply and the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/either-prisoners-fight-in-ukraine-or-your-children-decide-for-yourself-russian-mercenary-boss-516855">Either prisoners fight in Ukraine, or your children, decide for yourself: Russian mercenary boss</a>
<img alt="4" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0d663560-4397-4015-8293-fbbce59bfb31" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/296354-4bd2716d-9555-4140-8933-ab9e125cc89ew1200r1.jpg" />
Following the release of a video showing him recruiting inmates for the Ukraine war, a Russian mercenary boss defended the idea of doing so.&nbsp;

The leader of the Wagner organisation, Yevgeny Prigozhin, suggested that individuals who do not want to send prisoners to combat send their own children in their place. Earlier, the released video showed him promising to rescue prisoners who served six months with his organisation.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/prince-andrews-return-to-public-life-is-jarring-for-jeffrey-epstein-victims-516848">Prince Andrew’s return to public life is jarring for Jeffrey Epstein victims</a>
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Prince Andrew has made a comeback to the public eye since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II&nbsp;on September 8.&nbsp;

It is expected that the Duke of York will take centre stage at memorial services for his mother, such as this week's procession of her casket through Edinburgh and London. During a time of national sorrow, Andrew is experiencing personal loss.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-plans-to-impose-sanctions-on-ceos-of-us-companies-over-arms-sales-to-taiwan-516760">China plans to impose sanctions on CEOs of US companies over arms sales to Taiwan</a>
<img alt="6" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="663d6be4-fe35-45fb-af66-318e440bdd5a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/296275-2022-09-16t092700z2lynxmpei8f0emrtroptp4usa-china-taiwan.JPG" />
Due to their participation in Washington's most recent military sales to Taiwan, the CEOs of Boeing Defense and Raytheon will face sanctions from China, a spokesperson for the foreign ministry announced on Friday.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hit-hard-by-sanctions-russia-wants-its-pilots-to-fix-their-own-aircraft-516754">Hit hard by sanctions, Russia wants its pilots to fix their own aircraft</a>
<img alt="7" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c3d09779-529b-4859-a649-584afc58ced3" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/296268-000326w2zp.jpg" />
Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, several sanctions were imposed on the country&nbsp;as a result of which pilots of regional airlines are being instructed to carry out maintenance of their own aircraft, Newsweek reported. Oleg Bocharov, Russia's deputy minister of industry and trade, made the statement earlier this month at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/its-un-american-its-reckless-white-house-says-republicans-using-migrants-as-political-pawns-516776">'It's un-American. It's reckless': White House says Republicans using migrants as 'political pawns'</a>
<img alt="8" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d0afb5fb-2008-4c6a-9379-88dfd50d6b26" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/296276-texas.png.jpeg" />
A new group of migrants, bused in from Texas, arrived in Washington DC on Thursday morning. They were left stranded next to the US Naval Observatory, the home to Vice President Kamala Harris.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/infographic-queens-lying-in-state-explained-516790">Infographic: The ceremony and symbolism of the Queen's lying-in-state explained</a>
<img alt="9" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fb754359-c0e4-491a-8bb3-f7d225a2f3ae" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/296301-ma2n2nqtyvpzjlkh2i2x5szu6y.jpg" />
As the Queen lies in state in London's Westminster Hall, thousands of people have been lining up along the River Thames to view her casket.

Thousands of people have been waiting in lines since Wednesday morning, and hundreds of thousands are expected to pay their respects before her funeral&nbsp;on Monday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/we-will-miss-seeing-you-on-the-court-making-us-enjoy-lionel-messi-all-praise-for-genius-roger-federer-516747">We will miss seeing you on the court making us enjoy: Lionel Messi all praise for 'genius' Roger Federer</a>
<img alt="10" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c3c8be08-d24f-4def-a4f3-b7b4bcb426f1" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/296250-messi-lauds-genius-federer-after-swiss-maestros-retirement-announcement.jpg" />
Roger Federer, on Thursday (September 15), announced that he will be stepping aside from tennis after the end of this month's Laver Cup. Federer hasn't played a competitive match following his quarter-final exit at Wimbledon 2021. Hence, many predicted his retirement was on the cards but his announcement still shocked many and send&nbsp;plethora of his fans into a meltdown.

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China Telecom released a statement on social media saying, “By 4:30 pm today, the fire at our No. 2 Communications Tower in Changsha has been extinguished. No casualties have yet been discovered and communications have not been cut off.

China Telecom released a statement on social media saying, “By 4:30 pm today, the fire at our No. 2 Communications Tower in Changsha has been extinguished. No casualties have yet been discovered and communications have not been cut off." In other news,iIn the wake of the publication of the retail sales numbers, the sterling dropped more than 1 per cent versus the dollar, reaching $1.13, its lowest level since 1985. Click on the headlines to read more: Massive fire breaks out in skyscraper in Chinese city of Changsha - WATCH he Chinese city of Changsha saw a huge fire break out in a skyscraper on Friday resulting in a number of people getting injured. “Thick smoke is spewing from the site, and several dozen floors are burning ferociously,” the state broadcaster CCTV reported. However, they did not mention if there were any casualties and said that the firefighters were working to control the fire.“ Pound hits new 37-year low as consumer spending falls, stokes recession chatter After data revealed that UK retail sales plunged significantly in August as the rise in the cost of living continued to affect consumers, the pound dropped to a fresh 37-year low against the US dollar. SCO Summit 2022: Narendra Modi tells Vladimir Putin 'today's era is not of war' Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) 2022 at Samarkand in Uzbekistan on Friday. Modi told Putin that 'today's era is not of war' and the two leaders also discussed a number of topics including the food and fuel crisis, fertiliser supply and the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Either prisoners fight in Ukraine, or your children, decide for yourself: Russian mercenary boss Following the release of a video showing him recruiting inmates for the Ukraine war, a Russian mercenary boss defended the idea of doing so. The leader of the Wagner organisation, Yevgeny Prigozhin, suggested that individuals who do not want to send prisoners to combat send their own children in their place. Earlier, the released video showed him promising to rescue prisoners who served six months with his organisation. Prince Andrew’s return to public life is jarring for Jeffrey Epstein victims Prince Andrew has made a comeback to the public eye since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8. It is expected that the Duke of York will take centre stage at memorial services for his mother, such as this week's procession of her casket through Edinburgh and London. During a time of national sorrow, Andrew is experiencing personal loss. China plans to impose sanctions on CEOs of US companies over arms sales to Taiwan Due to their participation in Washington's most recent military sales to Taiwan, the CEOs of Boeing Defense and Raytheon will face sanctions from China, a spokesperson for the foreign ministry announced on Friday. Hit hard by sanctions, Russia wants its pilots to fix their own aircraft Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, several sanctions were imposed on the country as a result of which pilots of regional airlines are being instructed to carry out maintenance of their own aircraft, Newsweek reported. Oleg Bocharov, Russia's deputy minister of industry and trade, made the statement earlier this month at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. 'It's un-American. It's reckless': White House says Republicans using migrants as 'political pawns' A new group of migrants, bused in from Texas, arrived in Washington DC on Thursday morning. They were left stranded next to the US Naval Observatory, the home to Vice President Kamala Harris. Infographic: The ceremony and symbolism of the Queen's lying-in-state explained As the Queen lies in state in London's Westminster Hall, thousands of people have been lining up along the River Thames to view her casket. Thousands of people have been waiting in lines since Wednesday morning, and hundreds of thousands are expected to pay their respects before her funeral on Monday. We will miss seeing you on the court making us enjoy: Lionel Messi all praise for 'genius' Roger Federer Roger Federer, on Thursday (September 15), announced that he will be stepping aside from tennis after the end of this month's Laver Cup. Federer hasn't played a competitive match following his quarter-final exit at Wimbledon 2021. Hence, many predicted his retirement was on the cards but his announcement still shocked many and send plethora of his fans into a meltdown.

Top 10 world news: Massive fire in China, Pound hits 37-year low, and more

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the SCO summit. This is the first time the two leaders are holding in pass on talks since the war in Ukraine began.

SCO Summit 2022: First in-person meeting since the Ukraine invasion

The 22nd summit of the council of heads of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states is set to take place in the historical city of Samarkand in Uzbekistan from September 15 to 16.

22nd summit of council of the heads of SCO member states to begin in Uzbekistan today

The leaders of the West will have their eyes on the Central Asian nation of Uzbekistan. The country is hosting the Shanghai cooperation organization Summit this year where the grouping is said to expand further.

Kremlin: SCO summit will showcase an alternative to west, Putin looks to form anti-west bloc

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Putin, both of whom will be at the Samarkand for Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, will be holding a bilateral meeting, the Russian government has confirmed. Ties between the two&nbsp;countries are close with defence and now energy forming the main pillars. But what is interesting is that the meeting in Samarkand will be the first between the two&nbsp;leaders since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The impact of the invasion has been seen on global food and oil prices and amidst this, New Delhi has increased its import of discounted energy from Russia. And while criticism against India has also increased from the west, especially in Europe, New Delhi has strongly defended its import of energy needs from Russia.

External affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar recently said,&nbsp;"It is my moral duty to find the best deal'.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-asks-afghanistan-to-locate-and-arrest-of-jem-chief-maulana-masood-azhar-515965" hreflang="en">Pakistan asks Afghanistan to locate and arrest JeM chief Masood Azhar</a>

Both leaders last met when Russian President Putin came to India in December of 2021 for the annual India-Russia summit. While the visit was for six&nbsp;hours only, it happened amid Covid and only for the second time that year, the Russian President travelled abroad which shows the close relationship between the two&nbsp;countries. Both leaders have spoken four&nbsp;times this year, including on the day when Russia began its invasion of Ukraine--24th February. India has continuously emphasised the need for dialogue and diplomacy to end the conflict in Ukraine, from the United Nations Security Council to various conversations both leaders have had.

At UNSC, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, Permanent Representative of India to the UN recently said, 'India’s approach will be to promote dialogue and diplomacy with an overarching aim to end the conflict and work with other partners to mitigate economic challenges emerging from the Russia-Ukraine conflict.'

India, on its part, has sent 12 consignments of humanitarian aid to Ukraine. The 12th consignment consisted of 26 types of medicines, including ‘hemostatic bandages’ meant to stem the bleeding of deep wounds in children and adults. The earlier 11 consignments included 97.5 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Ukraine and neighbouring countries like Romania, Moldova, Slovakia and Poland. Ukraine and its neighbouring countries offered their full support in the relief and evacuation operation of around 22500 Indian nationals in February-March this year.

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Indian PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> will travel to Uzbekistan for the crucial <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SCOSummit?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SCOSummit</a>. The Indian leader will also hold a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the summit.<a href="https://twitter.com/SaroyaHem?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SaroyaHem</a> talks to <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sidhant</a> for details 
 
Watch more: <a href="https://t.co/AXC5qRuO3J">https://t.co/AXC5qRuO3J</a> <a href="https://t.co/puW7XLTfXL">pic.twitter.com/puW7XLTfXL</a>
— WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1569923595455053824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2022</a></blockquote>
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But ties with Russia remain of paramount importance. Earlier this year, Indian National Security advisor Ajit Doval visited the country even as both sides are expected to hold the next round of India Russia summit and India Russia 2+2 defense and foreign ministers meet--both of which will take place in Russia later this year. Russia is an important partner when it comes to nuclear energy--the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant being of the flagships when it comes to a strategic partnership. Moscow has been backing India's membership in the NSG or Nuclear suppliers' group, a reformed and expanded United Nations Security Council. Cooperation in space has been another key dimension of ties. &nbsp;Russia trained Indian astronauts who will be on board the Gaganyaan at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center and will be part of Gaganyaan, India's first manned mission to space.

While the Ukraine conflict divides the world, the west is keen on the isolation of Russia. Amidst this, Russia has increased its emphasis on ties with Asian giants like China and India. A meeting with Indian Prime Minister Modi will be a shot in the arm for Russia's Putin. A picture that Moscow needs desperately as it battles the fallout from the invasion of Ukraine.

<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>

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Putin, both of whom will be at the Samarkand for Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, will be holding a bilateral meeting, the Russian government has confirmed.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Putin, both of whom will be at the Samarkand for Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, will be holding a bilateral meeting, the Russian government has confirmed. Ties between the two countries are close with defence and now energy forming the main pillars. But what is interesting is that the meeting in Samarkand will be the first between the two leaders since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The impact of the invasion has been seen on global food and oil prices and amidst this, New Delhi has increased its import of discounted energy from Russia. And while criticism against India has also increased from the west, especially in Europe, New Delhi has strongly defended its import of energy needs from Russia. External affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar recently said, "It is my moral duty to find the best deal'. Also read | Pakistan asks Afghanistan to locate and arrest JeM chief Masood Azhar Both leaders last met when Russian President Putin came to India in December of 2021 for the annual India-Russia summit. While the visit was for six hours only, it happened amid Covid and only for the second time that year, the Russian President travelled abroad which shows the close relationship between the two countries. Both leaders have spoken four times this year, including on the day when Russia began its invasion of Ukraine--24th February. India has continuously emphasised the need for dialogue and diplomacy to end the conflict in Ukraine, from the United Nations Security Council to various conversations both leaders have had. At UNSC, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, Permanent Representative of India to the UN recently said, 'India’s approach will be to promote dialogue and diplomacy with an overarching aim to end the conflict and work with other partners to mitigate economic challenges emerging from the Russia-Ukraine conflict.' India, on its part, has sent 12 consignments of humanitarian aid to Ukraine. The 12th consignment consisted of 26 types of medicines, including ‘hemostatic bandages’ meant to stem the bleeding of deep wounds in children and adults. The earlier 11 consignments included 97.5 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Ukraine and neighbouring countries like Romania, Moldova, Slovakia and Poland. Ukraine and its neighbouring countries offered their full support in the relief and evacuation operation of around 22500 Indian nationals in February-March this year. Indian PM @narendramodi will travel to Uzbekistan for the crucial #SCOSummit. The Indian leader will also hold a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the summit.@SaroyaHem talks to @sidhant for details Watch more: https://t.co/AXC5qRuO3J pic.twitter.com/puW7XLTfXL — WION (@WIONews) September 14, 2022 × But ties with Russia remain of paramount importance. Earlier this year, Indian National Security advisor Ajit Doval visited the country even as both sides are expected to hold the next round of India Russia summit and India Russia 2+2 defense and foreign ministers meet--both of which will take place in Russia later this year. Russia is an important partner when it comes to nuclear energy--the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant being of the flagships when it comes to a strategic partnership. Moscow has been backing India's membership in the NSG or Nuclear suppliers' group, a reformed and expanded United Nations Security Council. Cooperation in space has been another key dimension of ties. Russia trained Indian astronauts who will be on board the Gaganyaan at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center and will be part of Gaganyaan, India's first manned mission to space. While the Ukraine conflict divides the world, the west is keen on the isolation of Russia. Amidst this, Russia has increased its emphasis on ties with Asian giants like China and India. A meeting with Indian Prime Minister Modi will be a shot in the arm for Russia's Putin. A picture that Moscow needs desperately as it battles the fallout from the invasion of Ukraine.

SCO summit: Indian PM Modi, Russian President Putin to hold bilateral talks in Samarkand

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan's new Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will both be in the same room at the Shanghai cooperation organization or SCO summit but any structured bilateral between the sidelines is unlikely. India and Pakistan both became members of the grouping in 2017 and since then leaders of the 2 countries have been present at various meetings, including at Defence, foreign and NSA levels.&nbsp;

The grouping's meeting in the past has seen both Indian, and Pakistani leadership present under the same roof, but given the state of the relationship, no talks have happened. In 2019, the last time the in-person summit of SCO grouping happened in Kyrgyzstan, both Indian PM Modi and Pakistan's then Prime Minister Imran Khan were present together.

Earlier this year, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Pakistani Foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto were present together at the SCO foreign ministers' meet in Tashkent, but no meeting happened. That time speaking to WION, Bhutto ruled out any meeting between the 2 leaders.

Earlier&nbsp;this year, as part of diplomatic protocols, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written to the new Pakistani PM pointing out that New Delhi would like to have "normal neighbourly relations" calling for "constructive engagement" but also raising the issue of terror with Islamabad, calling for an "environment free of terror and violence". Last month, the Indian Prime Minister extended his condolences on the devastating floods in the country, responding to which the Pakistani PM thanked him and expressed optimism that his country will overcome the adverse impact of the natural calamity.

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Saddened to see the devastation caused by the floods in Pakistan. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, the injured and all those affected by this natural calamity and hope for an early restoration of normalcy.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1564254916134473728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 29, 2022</a></blockquote>
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But on any chances of humanitarian assistance, MEA spokesman Arindam Bagchi said, "Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has shared his sadness at the devastation caused by the floods in Pakistan. You've seen his comments. He has extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, the injured and all those affected by the natural calamity".

Under the present Modi government, attempts have been made to reach out to Islamabad since 2014. India invited the then Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif, the elder brother of the current Pakistani PM to the swearing-in ceremony of PM Modi. Both PM Modi and Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif met on the sidelines of the&nbsp;SCO summit in Russia in July of 2015, and in the same year, both met on the sidelines of the Paris climate change summit in December 2015, a picture that showed both sitting together in a very informal close manner.&nbsp;

Later that month, PM Modi made a surprise visit to Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore. That was the first visit by any Indian Prime Minister to Pakistan in more than 10 years, raising hopes for peace between New Delhi and Islamabad. The then External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also took the initiative to propose a Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue in December 2015.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-asks-afghanistan-to-locate-and-arrest-of-jem-chief-maulana-masood-azhar-515965" hreflang="en">Pakistan asks Afghanistan to locate and arrest JeM chief Masood Azhar</a>

But all the outreach was followed by major terror attacks like the Pathankot Airbase attack on 2 January 2016, and the attack on the Indian army Camp in Uri in August 2016. 2018, attempts were again made, with a proposed meeting of Indian, and Pakistani foreign ministers on the sidelines of UNGA but it was cancelled at the last moment after terrorist entities brutally killed three police personnel in Jammu and Kashmir.

The big blow to ties came in February 2019 after the Pulwama terror attack in which India's 40 security personnel were martyred. This terrorist act was perpetrated by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a Pakistan-based terrorist organization proscribed by the United Nations which is led by UN-designated and internationally proscribed terrorist Masood Azhar. Later that year, Islamabad suspended People to people ties, and trade ties and downgraded its relationship with India after New Delhi removed the special status for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.

A bilateral between Indian and Pakistani leaders is a farfetched thing now, a pull aside will be a miracle. While for India, the issue of Pakistan's support of terror has been a major concern, for Pakistani PM Shahbaz Sharif, any meeting with Indian PM Modi means facing the wrath of Imran Khan ahead of elections. For the foreseeable future, India-Pakistan ties remain in a deep freeze, a freeze that is unlikely to go very soon.

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan's new Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will both be in the same room at the Shanghai cooperation organization or SCO summit but any structured bilateral between the sidelines is unlikely.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan's new Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will both be in the same room at the Shanghai cooperation organization or SCO summit but any structured bilateral between the sidelines is unlikely. India and Pakistan both became members of the grouping in 2017 and since then leaders of the 2 countries have been present at various meetings, including at Defence, foreign and NSA levels. The grouping's meeting in the past has seen both Indian, and Pakistani leadership present under the same roof, but given the state of the relationship, no talks have happened. In 2019, the last time the in-person summit of SCO grouping happened in Kyrgyzstan, both Indian PM Modi and Pakistan's then Prime Minister Imran Khan were present together. Earlier this year, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Pakistani Foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto were present together at the SCO foreign ministers' meet in Tashkent, but no meeting happened. That time speaking to WION, Bhutto ruled out any meeting between the 2 leaders. Earlier this year, as part of diplomatic protocols, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written to the new Pakistani PM pointing out that New Delhi would like to have "normal neighbourly relations" calling for "constructive engagement" but also raising the issue of terror with Islamabad, calling for an "environment free of terror and violence". Last month, the Indian Prime Minister extended his condolences on the devastating floods in the country, responding to which the Pakistani PM thanked him and expressed optimism that his country will overcome the adverse impact of the natural calamity. Saddened to see the devastation caused by the floods in Pakistan. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, the injured and all those affected by this natural calamity and hope for an early restoration of normalcy. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 29, 2022 × But on any chances of humanitarian assistance, MEA spokesman Arindam Bagchi said, "Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has shared his sadness at the devastation caused by the floods in Pakistan. You've seen his comments. He has extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, the injured and all those affected by the natural calamity". Under the present Modi government, attempts have been made to reach out to Islamabad since 2014. India invited the then Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif, the elder brother of the current Pakistani PM to the swearing-in ceremony of PM Modi. Both PM Modi and Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif met on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Russia in July of 2015, and in the same year, both met on the sidelines of the Paris climate change summit in December 2015, a picture that showed both sitting together in a very informal close manner. Later that month, PM Modi made a surprise visit to Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore. That was the first visit by any Indian Prime Minister to Pakistan in more than 10 years, raising hopes for peace between New Delhi and Islamabad. The then External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also took the initiative to propose a Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue in December 2015. Also read | Pakistan asks Afghanistan to locate and arrest JeM chief Masood Azhar But all the outreach was followed by major terror attacks like the Pathankot Airbase attack on 2 January 2016, and the attack on the Indian army Camp in Uri in August 2016. 2018, attempts were again made, with a proposed meeting of Indian, and Pakistani foreign ministers on the sidelines of UNGA but it was cancelled at the last moment after terrorist entities brutally killed three police personnel in Jammu and Kashmir. The big blow to ties came in February 2019 after the Pulwama terror attack in which India's 40 security personnel were martyred. This terrorist act was perpetrated by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a Pakistan-based terrorist organization proscribed by the United Nations which is led by UN-designated and internationally proscribed terrorist Masood Azhar. Later that year, Islamabad suspended People to people ties, and trade ties and downgraded its relationship with India after New Delhi removed the special status for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. A bilateral between Indian and Pakistani leaders is a farfetched thing now, a pull aside will be a miracle. While for India, the issue of Pakistan's support of terror has been a major concern, for Pakistani PM Shahbaz Sharif, any meeting with Indian PM Modi means facing the wrath of Imran Khan ahead of elections. For the foreseeable future, India-Pakistan ties remain in a deep freeze, a freeze that is unlikely to go very soon.

No structured Indo-Pak meet on the sidelines of SCO Summit in Samarkand

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit is scheduled to take place on September 15 and 16 in Uzbekistan's Samarkand. A total of 15 leaders have been invited to participate in the geopolitical event, which is held once every year.

Here are five key things to look for in this year's SCO summit:

First in-person SCO summit after 2019

This will be the first in-person summit since June 2019, when the SCO summit was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The 2020 Moscow summit was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while the 2021 summit at Dushanbe was conducted in a hybrid mode.

This is the first time that Xi Jinping will attend a multilateral summit where PM Modi will also be present in three years.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/shanghai-cooperation-organisation-sco-summit-live-updates-515964">Also read |&nbsp;SCO Summit 2022 in Uzbekistan live updates | Xi Jinping to meet Putin, no clarity on India-China talks</a>

What’s there for India?

The SCO is important for India because of its growing trade relations with several Central Asian economies that are also members of the summit.

India can address issues related to terrorism as many of these SCO members want to fight terrorism, cross-border organised crime, illegal migration, and human trafficking. India also has close strategic, cultural, and economic ties with Russia, which is a major player in the SCO.

Important Bilaterals for India

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to meet Xi in person for the first time since the 2019 BRICS Summit in Brazil. Since then, Indian and Chinese troops have faced off in a series of deadly skirmishes as a result of multiple Chinese intrusions in Ladakh and Sikkim.

PM Modi is also expected to hold his first ever bilateral meeting with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisiand and meet Russian PM Putin on the sidelines of the geopolitical event.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/suspense-remains-on-bilateral-meeting-between-indias-modi-and-chinas-xi-on-sidleines-of-sco-meet-516004">Also read |&nbsp;Suspense remains on bilateral meeting between India's Modi and China's Xi on sidelines of SCO</a>

Iran to partake in 2023 SCO summit as full member

At the SCO's upcoming summit, Iran is set to become the ninth member state of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will discuss its SCO membership as well as meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin for discussions on the Iran nuclear deal.

Ukraine Conflict

The biggest challenge to Uzbekistan’s big summit lies to the west—in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

In the wake of the Ukraine crisis, China and Russia are likely to unveil their response to the rapidly changing world order. Issues of regional and global importance, such as the Ukraine conflict and its fallout on the global economy, are expected to come up at the meeting.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit is scheduled to take place on September 15 and 16 in Uzbekistan's Samarkand. A total of 15 leaders have been invited to participate in the geopolitical event, which is held once every year.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit is scheduled to take place on September 15 and 16 in Uzbekistan's Samarkand. A total of 15 leaders have been invited to participate in the geopolitical event, which is held once every year. Here are five key things to look for in this year's SCO summit: First in-person SCO summit after 2019 This will be the first in-person summit since June 2019, when the SCO summit was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The 2020 Moscow summit was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while the 2021 summit at Dushanbe was conducted in a hybrid mode. This is the first time that Xi Jinping will attend a multilateral summit where PM Modi will also be present in three years. Also read | SCO Summit 2022 in Uzbekistan live updates | Xi Jinping to meet Putin, no clarity on India-China talks What’s there for India? The SCO is important for India because of its growing trade relations with several Central Asian economies that are also members of the summit. India can address issues related to terrorism as many of these SCO members want to fight terrorism, cross-border organised crime, illegal migration, and human trafficking. India also has close strategic, cultural, and economic ties with Russia, which is a major player in the SCO. Important Bilaterals for India Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to meet Xi in person for the first time since the 2019 BRICS Summit in Brazil. Since then, Indian and Chinese troops have faced off in a series of deadly skirmishes as a result of multiple Chinese intrusions in Ladakh and Sikkim. PM Modi is also expected to hold his first ever bilateral meeting with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisiand and meet Russian PM Putin on the sidelines of the geopolitical event. Also read | Suspense remains on bilateral meeting between India's Modi and China's Xi on sidelines of SCO Iran to partake in 2023 SCO summit as full member At the SCO's upcoming summit, Iran is set to become the ninth member state of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will discuss its SCO membership as well as meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin for discussions on the Iran nuclear deal. Ukraine Conflict The biggest challenge to Uzbekistan’s big summit lies to the west—in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In the wake of the Ukraine crisis, China and Russia are likely to unveil their response to the rapidly changing world order. Issues of regional and global importance, such as the Ukraine conflict and its fallout on the global economy, are expected to come up at the meeting. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

SCO summit: Five key things to look for this year

Uzbekistan's cultural capital Samarkand is all set to host the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation or SCO Summit due to be held on September 15 and 16. The city has been spruced up to host 15 world leaders including PM Modi, Russian President Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Uzbekistan is hosting the SCO Summit for the fouth time, but it is being hosted in the city of Samarkand for the first time. Previously, Uzbekistan hosted the summit in 2004, 2010 and 2016.

The city has got a new airport which is been seen as a synthesis of the past and present and is shaped like an “open book” symbolizing the main work of Mirzo Ulugbek “Zizhijadidi Kuragoniy” or the "New Astronomical Table of Kuragoni”. The building is 175 metres wide and 25 metres high. Constellations are depicted on its roof.

The airport can handle 800 people per hour and upto 120 flights per week. Equipped with modern technologies, luggage check-in it firmly puts ancient city of Samarkand on the world tourist map.

Ulugbek, was the grandson of Timur and oldest son of Shah Rukh. The Timurid Sultan was well known as an astronomer and mathematician and was notable for trigonometry. His observatory in Samarkand, built in 1449, can accurately measure the Sun from the horizon, the altitude of a star and other planets with phenomenal accuracy.

To make the city more tourist friendly, Silk Road Samarkand Tourist Center has been built to welcome SCO guests as it plans to host many events during the summit. The main construction occupies 135 hectares. A Congress Hall has been created where meetings of the SCO leaders will be held and is located on the two banks of the famous Samarkand Rowing Canal. Its area is 2800 square metres, and the area of the main hall, where the meetings of the SCO leaders will be held, is 65x65 m, and its height is 14 metres.&nbsp;

For incoming guests, 8 international-level hotels, with a total of about 1,200 rooms have opened their doors. Two of them correspond to the 5-star category, and one of them – “Samarkand Regency Amir Temur” - is the first and so far the only hotel in Central Asia, which is included in the Leading Hotels of the World association. &nbsp;

Another local attraction, Samarkand Rowing Canal has been built. The canal is 2,180 metres long and over 150 metres wide. Remember Uzbekistan will host the Asian Youth Olympic Games in 2025, and the rowing tournaments will be held in Samarkand.&nbsp;

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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&nbsp;

Uzbekistan's cultural capital Samarkand is all set to host the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation or SCO Summit due to be held on September 15 and 16. The city has been spruced up to host 15 world leaders including PM Modi, Russian President Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Uzbekistan's cultural capital Samarkand is all set to host the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation or SCO Summit due to be held on September 15 and 16. The city has been spruced up to host 15 world leaders including PM Modi, Russian President Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Uzbekistan is hosting the SCO Summit for the fouth time, but it is being hosted in the city of Samarkand for the first time. Previously, Uzbekistan hosted the summit in 2004, 2010 and 2016. The city has got a new airport which is been seen as a synthesis of the past and present and is shaped like an “open book” symbolizing the main work of Mirzo Ulugbek “Zizhijadidi Kuragoniy” or the "New Astronomical Table of Kuragoni”. The building is 175 metres wide and 25 metres high. Constellations are depicted on its roof. The airport can handle 800 people per hour and upto 120 flights per week. Equipped with modern technologies, luggage check-in it firmly puts ancient city of Samarkand on the world tourist map. Ulugbek, was the grandson of Timur and oldest son of Shah Rukh. The Timurid Sultan was well known as an astronomer and mathematician and was notable for trigonometry. His observatory in Samarkand, built in 1449, can accurately measure the Sun from the horizon, the altitude of a star and other planets with phenomenal accuracy. To make the city more tourist friendly, Silk Road Samarkand Tourist Center has been built to welcome SCO guests as it plans to host many events during the summit. The main construction occupies 135 hectares. A Congress Hall has been created where meetings of the SCO leaders will be held and is located on the two banks of the famous Samarkand Rowing Canal. Its area is 2800 square metres, and the area of the main hall, where the meetings of the SCO leaders will be held, is 65x65 m, and its height is 14 metres. For incoming guests, 8 international-level hotels, with a total of about 1,200 rooms have opened their doors. Two of them correspond to the 5-star category, and one of them – “Samarkand Regency Amir Temur” - is the first and so far the only hotel in Central Asia, which is included in the Leading Hotels of the World association. Another local attraction, Samarkand Rowing Canal has been built. The canal is 2,180 metres long and over 150 metres wide. Remember Uzbekistan will host the Asian Youth Olympic Games in 2025, and the rowing tournaments will be held in Samarkand. 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 ×

Samarkand gets ready to host SCO leaders

All eyes are on this year's Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Samarkand summit is scheduled for 15 and 16 September 2022. As the eight-member grouping is all set to expand, the heads of member states are going to consider Iran's membership bid, by granting it a member status.

SCO membership a major boost for Iran | Uzbek Ambassador to India exclusive on WION

Is the SCO gearing up to welcome Iran? SCO Secretary General Zhang Ming has said that a memorandum on Iran's accession will be signed this week. What are the implications of admitting Iran to the SCO? What does Iran's entry mean for India? Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: Iran set to join SCO?

According to reports, Iran might sign a memorandum of commitment to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). The signing of the document will tie Iran to the SCO’s international treaties and will kick-start a process that will end in Iran’s full SCO membership in April 2023.

Reports: SCO members likely to consider Iran's membership bid

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization will meet in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, where regional political, security, and economic issues will be discussed. Indian Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to travel there.

What's on agenda? PM Modi to attend SCO summit with Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin & Shehbaz Sharif

Reports: Iran to sign memorandum of commitments to join SCO

Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian foreign ministry, said Iran might sign a memorandum of commitment to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Tehran Times reported on Sunday (September 11). SCO summit is scheduled to take place between September 15 and 16.&nbsp;

Zakharova stated it would allow Iran to ratify the SCO's founding documents and international agreements. Tehran Times also added that as per the information obtained by it, Iran will take the necessary steps toward becoming an SCO member. However, the procedure takes almost two years to be fulfilled.&nbsp;

Zakharova has hinted that agreements on awarding Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia the status of dialogue partners had been prepared for signing. The report mentioned that the negotiations on Bahrain, the Maldives, and other states would follow.&nbsp;

Russia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are the current full members of the organisation. The bloc also has observer members and other aspirants.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;What's behind China's real estate crisis? Will it impact the economy of your country?&nbsp;

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Modi to attend SCO regional security bloc summit&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend a summit of the regional security bloc SCO next week, the government said in a statement on Sunday.&nbsp;

The statement added that PM Modi is likely to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit during a two-day visit to Uzbekistan, which is hosting the event, from September 15. India handed in its membership request in 2013 but became a member in 2017.&nbsp;

According to media reports, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi are all expected to attend the SCO's 22nd meeting.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian foreign ministry, said Iran might sign a memorandum of commitment to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Tehran Times reported on Sunday (September 11).

Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian foreign ministry, said Iran might sign a memorandum of commitment to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Tehran Times reported on Sunday (September 11). SCO summit is scheduled to take place between September 15 and 16. Zakharova stated it would allow Iran to ratify the SCO's founding documents and international agreements. Tehran Times also added that as per the information obtained by it, Iran will take the necessary steps toward becoming an SCO member. However, the procedure takes almost two years to be fulfilled. Zakharova has hinted that agreements on awarding Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia the status of dialogue partners had been prepared for signing. The report mentioned that the negotiations on Bahrain, the Maldives, and other states would follow. Russia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are the current full members of the organisation. The bloc also has observer members and other aspirants. WATCH | What's behind China's real estate crisis? Will it impact the economy of your country? × Modi to attend SCO regional security bloc summit Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend a summit of the regional security bloc SCO next week, the government said in a statement on Sunday. The statement added that PM Modi is likely to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit during a two-day visit to Uzbekistan, which is hosting the event, from September 15. India handed in its membership request in 2013 but became a member in 2017. According to media reports, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi are all expected to attend the SCO's 22nd meeting. (With inputs from agencies) 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.

Iran to sign memorandum to become Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member: Report

All the eight leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, or SCO, will be attending the summit next week in person in Uzbekistan's cultural capital&nbsp;Samarkand. The press secretary of Uzbekistan's President, Sherzod Asadov, in a Facebook post said that this will be the first in-person meeting of the SCO leaders since 2019 and will conclude the doubly landlocked central Asian country's chairmanship of the organization. In a picture he posted along with the message, he listed the names of all the eight leaders of the member states who will attend the summit in the country from September 15th to 16th.

The leaders include the host Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, and Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon. 
 
The grouping, which was formed in 2001, is one of the largest on the planet in terms of geographical size, population, and GDP. Sherzod in the statement said, "The following were at the core of Uzbekistan's chairmanship at SCO: - strengthening of economic ties and trade; promoting industrial and tech. cooperation; furthering broader connectivity; digital transformation and green economy; strengthening the international profile of SCO."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-china-disengagement-at-gogra-hotsprings-pp15-raise-hope-of-modi-xi-meet-at-sco-samarkand-summit-514177">Also read |&nbsp;India, China disengagement at Gogra-Hotsprings PP15 raise hope of Modi-Xi meet at SCO Samarkand Summit</a>

In all, 15 leaders will be attending the mega summit, including eight&nbsp;member countries, three&nbsp;observer countries, and four invited guests. The leaders of the observer countries include Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, and Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh. 
 
The leaders who have been invited as guests at the summit are Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedow.

The summit is happening at a time when&nbsp;global geopolitical changes, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Taiwan Strait crisis, and provides ample opportunities for the leaders to also hold bilateral talks. It is not known right now if PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold talks or not, but ahead of the summit, they announced the start of disengagement at Gogra-Hotsprings PP15, which is expected to be concluded by Monday, September 12th.

The ministry of external affairs said, "It has been agreed that all temporary structures and other allied infrastructure created in the area by both sides will be dismantled and mutually verified. The landforms in the area will be restored to the pre-stand-off period by both sides."

The development comes after the 16th round of the India-China Corps Commander Level Meeting that took place on July 17th. India and China have already undertaken disengagement at finger areas of Pangong Lake (Feb 2021), Gogra Hot Springs PP17, Galwan. But friction areas like Depsang and Demchok remain. 
 
Ties between the two&nbsp;countries&nbsp;have nosedived since the 2020 Galwan incident, in which aggressive actions by Chinese forces led to the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers. China, after much delay, accepted that it lost four of its soldiers, a claim that remains doubtful given Beijing's track record on transparency.

It is also not yet known if he will be meeting Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif, and the likelihood also remains dim. The relationship between India and Pakistan remains in a deep freeze over Islamabad's support for cross-border terror. After New Delhi removed the special status for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, Pakistan suspended people-to-people and trade ties with it.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/polands-envoy-adam-burakowski-says-india-can-convince-russia-to-stop-war-512299">Also read |&nbsp;Poland's envoy Adam Burakowski says India can convince Russia to stop war</a>

India is expected to raise issues like Afghanistan, counter-terrorism, connectivity, and trade at the summit, but a key outcome will be the handing over of the presidency of the group. Under its presidency, India will host the SCO summit next year, inviting all member countries, including the Pakistani and Chinese leadership. This year, the grouping also expanded to include Iran as its ninth&nbsp;member. The last major expansion of the grouping was in 2017 when both India and Pakistan became members.

Last week, Russian President Putin confirmed that he would hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He told Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China Li Zhanshu, "I will meet with President Xi Jinping soon, during the events related to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which will be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan." 
 
Li Zhanshu, the third highest ranking leader in the Chinese communist party, was in Russia to participate in the Eastern Economic Forum.

It is important to know that this will be the first foreign visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping abroad since the COVID pandemic. He last visited abroad three&nbsp;years ago, which was a visit to Myanmar in January 2020.

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All the eight leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, or SCO, will be attending the summit next week in person in Uzbekistan's cultural capital Samarkand.

All the eight leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, or SCO, will be attending the summit next week in person in Uzbekistan's cultural capital Samarkand. The press secretary of Uzbekistan's President, Sherzod Asadov, in a Facebook post said that this will be the first in-person meeting of the SCO leaders since 2019 and will conclude the doubly landlocked central Asian country's chairmanship of the organization. In a picture he posted along with the message, he listed the names of all the eight leaders of the member states who will attend the summit in the country from September 15th to 16th. The leaders include the host Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, and Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon. The grouping, which was formed in 2001, is one of the largest on the planet in terms of geographical size, population, and GDP. Sherzod in the statement said, "The following were at the core of Uzbekistan's chairmanship at SCO: - strengthening of economic ties and trade; promoting industrial and tech. cooperation; furthering broader connectivity; digital transformation and green economy; strengthening the international profile of SCO." Also read | India, China disengagement at Gogra-Hotsprings PP15 raise hope of Modi-Xi meet at SCO Samarkand Summit In all, 15 leaders will be attending the mega summit, including eight member countries, three observer countries, and four invited guests. The leaders of the observer countries include Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, and Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh. The leaders who have been invited as guests at the summit are Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedow. The summit is happening at a time when global geopolitical changes, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Taiwan Strait crisis, and provides ample opportunities for the leaders to also hold bilateral talks. It is not known right now if PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold talks or not, but ahead of the summit, they announced the start of disengagement at Gogra-Hotsprings PP15, which is expected to be concluded by Monday, September 12th. The ministry of external affairs said, "It has been agreed that all temporary structures and other allied infrastructure created in the area by both sides will be dismantled and mutually verified. The landforms in the area will be restored to the pre-stand-off period by both sides." The development comes after the 16th round of the India-China Corps Commander Level Meeting that took place on July 17th. India and China have already undertaken disengagement at finger areas of Pangong Lake (Feb 2021), Gogra Hot Springs PP17, Galwan. But friction areas like Depsang and Demchok remain. Ties between the two countries have nosedived since the 2020 Galwan incident, in which aggressive actions by Chinese forces led to the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers. China, after much delay, accepted that it lost four of its soldiers, a claim that remains doubtful given Beijing's track record on transparency. It is also not yet known if he will be meeting Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif, and the likelihood also remains dim. The relationship between India and Pakistan remains in a deep freeze over Islamabad's support for cross-border terror. After New Delhi removed the special status for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, Pakistan suspended people-to-people and trade ties with it. Also read | Poland's envoy Adam Burakowski says India can convince Russia to stop war India is expected to raise issues like Afghanistan, counter-terrorism, connectivity, and trade at the summit, but a key outcome will be the handing over of the presidency of the group. Under its presidency, India will host the SCO summit next year, inviting all member countries, including the Pakistani and Chinese leadership. This year, the grouping also expanded to include Iran as its ninth member. The last major expansion of the grouping was in 2017 when both India and Pakistan became members. Last week, Russian President Putin confirmed that he would hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He told Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China Li Zhanshu, "I will meet with President Xi Jinping soon, during the events related to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which will be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan." Li Zhanshu, the third highest ranking leader in the Chinese communist party, was in Russia to participate in the Eastern Economic Forum. It is important to know that this will be the first foreign visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping abroad since the COVID pandemic. He last visited abroad three years ago, which was a visit to Myanmar in January 2020. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

PM Modi, Russian President Putin and Chinese President Xi to attend SCO Samarkand summit: Uzbekistan

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari spoke exclusively to WION in Tashkent and said that Pakistan is looking to enhance cooperation with US & other nations.

Exclusive: Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto speaks to WION in Tashkent

The formal meet of the foreign ministers of the SCO grouping is currently underway in Uzbekistan's capital Tashkent. Russian foreign minister said, SCO has agreed to trade in local currencies.

WION Dispatch: 'SCO has agreed to trade in local currencies,' says Russian FM

The foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization are meeting in Uzbekistan's capital Tashkent, the two-day meet comes ahead of September summit where the leaders of the eight member nations will hold discussions focused on growing concerns over inflation, the fear of recession and more.

SCO Foreign ministers meet in Uzbekistan's Tashkent, big focus on GDP, soaring inflation

SCO foreign ministers' meeting in Tashkent for 2-day talks

Foreign ministers of India, China, Russia and Pakistan is in Tashkent to set the ground for SCO Summit. Afghanistan's minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said Afghanistan's economy is improving.

'Afghanistan's economy is improving,' says Amir Khan Muttaqi in exclusive conversation with WION

It is the second day of the foreign ministerial concave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the formal meet of the foreign ministers of the SCO grouping is currently underway in Uzbekistan's capital Tashkent.

'SCO members must fight against new World threats,' says Indian FM

SCO Summit 2022: Indian, Kazakh foreign ministers hold dialogue

Uzbekistan: SCO FMs meeting currently underway in Tashkent

India is due to attend two key meetings next week, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation or SCO foreign ministers meet and an international conference on Afghanistan in Uzbekistan. While the conference on Afghanistan will take place on 25th and 26th July at the level of Special Envoys on Afghanistan, the foreign minister meeting will take place on 28th and 29th July. Taliban will also take part in what is officially known as International Conference "Afghanistan: security and economic development".

The meet is expected to see participation of delegations from more than 20 countries and international organisations. Uzbekistan, a country that shares land border with Afghanistan has in the past hosted key meetings on Afghanistan, one in 2018 and another in 2021. The 2021 meeting, which focused on regional connectivity between South and Central Asia, saw participation of the then Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will be attending the SCO foreign ministers' meet. SCO is more than a two-decade-old grouping that includes Russia, China, India, Pakistan and 4 central Asian countries -- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan is the chair of the grouping for this year and holds all major events. Next month, Uzbekistan will hold SCO interior and defense ministers meet. In September, the country will be holding the summit level meeting in which all the leaders are expected to be present in person, including Indian PM Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese president Xi Jinping.

On the sidelines of the foreign and the summit level meetings, number of bilaterals are expected and no official confirmation has been given so far on any meetings between India and China or India and Pakistan. The summit level meeting will be important for India as the chairmanship of the grouping is handed over to New Delhi, which means it will be holding all key meetings of the grouping for next one year.

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India is due to attend two key meetings next week, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation or SCO foreign ministers meet and an international conference on Afghanistan in Uzbekistan.

India is due to attend two key meetings next week, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation or SCO foreign ministers meet and an international conference on Afghanistan in Uzbekistan. While the conference on Afghanistan will take place on 25th and 26th July at the level of Special Envoys on Afghanistan, the foreign minister meeting will take place on 28th and 29th July. Taliban will also take part in what is officially known as International Conference "Afghanistan: security and economic development". The meet is expected to see participation of delegations from more than 20 countries and international organisations. Uzbekistan, a country that shares land border with Afghanistan has in the past hosted key meetings on Afghanistan, one in 2018 and another in 2021. The 2021 meeting, which focused on regional connectivity between South and Central Asia, saw participation of the then Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will be attending the SCO foreign ministers' meet. SCO is more than a two-decade-old grouping that includes Russia, China, India, Pakistan and 4 central Asian countries -- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan is the chair of the grouping for this year and holds all major events. Next month, Uzbekistan will hold SCO interior and defense ministers meet. In September, the country will be holding the summit level meeting in which all the leaders are expected to be present in person, including Indian PM Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese president Xi Jinping. On the sidelines of the foreign and the summit level meetings, number of bilaterals are expected and no official confirmation has been given so far on any meetings between India and China or India and Pakistan. The summit level meeting will be important for India as the chairmanship of the grouping is handed over to New Delhi, which means it will be holding all key meetings of the grouping for next one year. 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 ×

India to attend SCO foreign ministers meet, Afghanistan conference in Uzbekistan

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