Glad with India's decision to hold SCO's head of govt meet: Vladimir Norov

After delivering an address at the Indian Council of World Affairs on "The Future Trajectory of the SCO and India's Role", Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's Secretary General Vladimir Norov welcomed India's decision to host head of government meet, while claiming that all SCO members were glad about India's decision.

New Delhi: Taking a step further in its multi-lateral engagement, India is all set to hold the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's (SCO) head of government meet this year. The announcement was made by SCO's Secretary General Vladimir Norov.

Speaking to press after delivering an address at the Indian Council of World Affairs on "The Future Trajectory of the SCO and India's Role", Vladimir Norov welcomed New Delhi's decision to host the head of government meet, while claiming that all SCO members were glad about India's decision.

The Secretary General also stressed that before the head of governments' meet, commerce and trade ministers of the member nations will meet in New Delhi to chalk out a trade and commerce road map.

Vladimir Norov also believes that so far the SCO has largely been focused on security matters. He claimed that after India became its member, the SCO became a trans-continental organisation in which nearly half of the population exists.

Prior to his address at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), the SCO Secretary General met External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar and held a robust dialogue on India's cooperation.

Post the meet the EAM appreciated SCO's efforts in promoting tourism among member states.

India and Pakistan became a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in 2017. India's membership in the group was pushed by Moscow while Pakistan's entry was backed by its all-weather ally China.

The June 2019 SCO summit became an important event as both Prime Narendra Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan were at the same podium for the first time.