Leaders of 15 nations will assemble in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, for the 21st Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit for two days that is scheduled to begin on September 15.

What is Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and what can be expected from this year's summit?

Describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping as "good friends", China on Monday hoped that the two leaders would discuss their respective trade frictions with the US and reach a consensus on opposing trade protectionism during their "very important" meeting this week on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Bishkek.

On sidelines of SCO summit, Xi and Modi may discuss US trade protectionism in Bishkek: China

Founded in 2001, the SCO currently comprises eight member states, India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan were admitted to the SCO last year

Excited to lead delegation for India's first-ever SCO summit as a full member, says PM Modi