External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has reached Astana to represent India at the SCO Summit, which is taking place under Kazakhstan’s leadership. At the airport, he was greeted by Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Alibek Bakayev.
“EAM @DrSJaishankar reached Astana to represent PM @narendramodi at the SCO Summit from July 3-4, 2024. On arrival, EAM was welcomed by Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister @AlibekBakayev,” the Indian Embassy in Kazakhstan posted on X.
EAM @DrSJaishankar reached Astana to represent PM @narendramodi at the SCO Summit from July 3-4, 2024.
On arrival, EAM was welcomed by Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister @AlibekBakayev.@MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy @nagentv @MFA_KZ pic.twitter.com/a4x0Xd2B2f
— IndiaInKazakhstan (@indembastana) July 2, 2024
Jaishankar is heading the Indian delegation at the SCO Summit, which will take place on July 3-4. The 24th Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State will be presided over by Kazakhstan on July 4. Leaders at the Summit will review the organization’s activities over the last two decades and discuss future multilateral cooperation. Additionally, regional and international issues of importance are expected to be addressed, as stated in a press release by the Ministry of External Affairs.
India’s priorities within the SCO align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a ‘SECURE’ SCO, which stands for Security, Economic cooperation, Connectivity, Unity, Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and Environmental protection. Under its first presidency of the SCO, India hosted the 23rd Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State virtually on July 4, 2023.
Kazakhstan, having assumed the SCO presidency from India, is led by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who has proposed initiatives such as the creation of a joint investment fund. On June 25, in a phone call with President Tokayev, Prime Minister Modi expressed his full support for the upcoming summit in Astana.
The main objectives of the SCO include fostering cooperation in politics, trade and economy, science and technology, culture, education, energy, transportation, tourism, environmental protection, and other areas. It also aims to strengthen mutual trust and good-neighborly relations among member countries, work together to maintain regional peace, security, and stability, and move towards establishing a new, democratic, just, and rational international political and economic order, according to the official statement.