In A First, India To Host SCO Heads Of Govt Meeting, Pakistan's Participation Doubtful

Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Secretary General Vladimir Norov on Monday said India will host the annual meeting of council of heads of government of the SCO later this year. India is an important country in the region and has huge potential for fuelling economic growth in the region, he added. Norov, who is on four-day visit to India, met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and held talks on a wide range of issues.

After meeting with Norov, Jaishankar tweeted, “Received Secretary General #ShanghaiCooperation Organization Vladimir Norov. Reviewed the progress in our cooperation as India prepares to take up the responsibility of chairing the Council of #SCO Heads of Government.”

Received Secretary General #ShanghaiCooperationOrganization Vladimir Norov. Reviewed the progress in our cooperation as India prepares to take up the responsibility of chairing the Council of #SCO Heads of Government. pic.twitter.com/UTwZwzMUSH

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 13, 2020

The heads of government meeting of the SCO is usually represented by foreign ministers while some countries send their prime ministers also for the meeting.

India has been sending its external affairs minister for the SCO heads of government meeting while Prime Minister participates attends the SCO heads of state summit.

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Pakistan is also a member of the SCO and amid tensions with India, doubt over Islamabad's participation can not be ruled out. Earlier in 2019, India was not invited for the cultural event organised by Pakistan on under the aegis of an SCO military drill in Russia, news agency PTI had reported. However, if Pakistan decides to send its representative, it will be interesting to see who represents the country in the meeting that India hosts. 

Also Read: India Not Invited For Pakistan's Cultural Event During Sco Military Drill, Violation Of Diplomatic Norms, Says Indian Army

India, which had been an observer at the SCO since 2005, was granted membership of SCO along with Pakistan in 2017. The SCO grouping mainly focuses on security and economic cooperation in the Eurasian region.

The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.