India is set to virtually host the 23rd summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit Council of Heads of State on July 4.
Indian media reported that connectivity with the central Asian region and the situation in Afghanistan will be among India’s priorities. The summit will be chaired by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Land connectivity between India and Central Asia has been hampered due to Afghanistan and Pakistan,” said Nandan Unnikrishanan, distinguished fellow in the Observer Research Foundation, as quoted by ETV Bharat. “What is happening in Afghanistan will be a priority for India in the discussions during the summit.”
According to media reports, all the SCO member states including China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have been invited to the summit, while Iran, Belarus and Mongolia have been invited as observers. Turkmenistan will be a guest.
Meanwhile, the Iranian media reported that Iran is expected to be recognized as a full member. Belarus has also applied for the full membership of the SCO.
Afghanistan is an observer of the SCO but it has yet to be invited to the 23rd summit of council heads of states