World Leaders Gather In Bishkek For SCO Summit

Leaders of states not only from Asia but from around the globe gathered in the Yrys Ordo Congress Hall in Bishkek for the Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation on Tuesday. The event began with the photo shoot, which has now become an integral part of all these annual summits. PM Modi could be seen having a conversation with the Presidents of China, Xi Jinping, and Russia, Vladimir Putin, when the leaders came together for the photo shoot. President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov, who is chairing this summit, called for a round table discussion amongst the leaders of the member nations.

Leaders Present At The Summit

Besides Indian Prime Minister Modi, the participants of the roundtable were President Xi Jinping, President Vladimir Putin, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian, President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon. Ten member states, 15 partner states, and two observer states have been invited to the summit to discuss cooperation in global affairs. The total GDP contribution of SCO nations amounts to one-fourth of global GDP.

India's Priorities At SCO Summit

This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the SCO's formation, and India became a full member in 2017. It is anticipated that the Indian Prime Minister will deliver a speech at this summit on India's views on security, connectivity, and opportunities. This year’s summit is being held in an extended “SCO Plus” format wherein the President such as that of Turkey (Recep Tayyip Erdogan), Azerbaijan (Ilham Aliyev), and Mongolia (Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh) are also participating.