PM Narendra Modi to lead Indian delegation at virtual SCO summit on November 10: MEA

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to come face-to-face virtually at annual summit of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on vember 10. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday said Modi will le Indian delegation at summit.

" prime minister will le Indian delegation to 20th summit of SCO council of hes of state which will be held in virtual format on v 10. meeting will be chaired by Russian President Vlimir Putin," MEA Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said.

India has been focusing on expanding its cooperation with SCO, an eight-nation regional grouping, that represents around 42 per cent of world’s population and 20 per cent of global GDP. Chinese delegation at summit is expected to be led by President Jinping.

SCO summit is taking place at a time when India and China, two of bloc's members, are engd in a tense border standoff for over six months in eastern Lakh.Both sides have held a series of diplomatic and military talks to resolve row. However, breakthrough has been achieved to end standoff.

Srivastava said India will host a summit of council of hes of government of SCO on vember 30 in virtual format in which prime ministers of member countries of bloc will participate. SCO, seen as a counterweight to NATO, has emerged as one of largest transregional international organisations. aim of SCO is to maintain peace, stability and security of region.

India became a member of SCO in 2017.

Modi and Xi are expected to come face-to-face virtually during Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (BRICS) summit on vember 17, and G20 summit on vember 22. 

(IM CREDITS:PTI)