Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has concluded his visit to Pakistan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, expressing appreciation for the country's hospitality. During his stay, Jaishankar attended a luncheon hosted by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, where he had informal discussions with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar. In his address at the summit, Jaishankar emphasised the importance of regional unity and cooperation in addressing global challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic and economic pressures faced by SCO member states.
S Jaishankar Attends SCO Summit in Tashkent: Highlights and Significance
Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The summit, held on September 15-16, 2022, brought together leaders from eight member states, including China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
Background
The SCO was founded in 2001 as a forum for regional security and economic cooperation. It has since expanded its mandate to include areas such as counter-terrorism, energy, and transportation. India became a full member of the organization in 2017.
Jaishankar's Participation
Minister Jaishankar attended the summit along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During his stay, he had bilateral meetings with leaders from other member states, including Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Jaishankar also participated in a luncheon hosted by President Mirziyoyev.
Address at the Summit
In his address at the summit, Jaishankar highlighted the importance of regional unity and cooperation in addressing global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and economic pressures. He emphasized the need to promote economic recovery, connectivity, and sustainable development within the SCO region.
Significance
Jaishankar's participation in the SCO summit is a reflection of India's growing engagement with the organization. The summit provided an opportunity to discuss issues of regional and global significance and to strengthen India's ties with other member states.
Top 5 FAQs
1. What is the main purpose of the SCO? Answer: The SCO is a regional organization that promotes security, economic cooperation, and connectivity among its member states.
2. When did India join the SCO? Answer: India became a full member of the SCO in 2017.
3. Who attended the recent SCO summit in Tashkent? Answer: Leaders from all eight SCO member states, including India, attended the summit.
4. What were the main discussions at the summit? Answer: Discussions at the summit focused on regional security, economic cooperation, and addressing global challenges.
5. What was the significance of Jaishankar's participation in the summit? Answer: Jaishankar's participation reflects India's growing engagement with the SCO and provided an opportunity to strengthen ties with other member states.
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