Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined the Astana EXPO 2017, for two days on 8-9 June for the summit meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and where theme was of ‘Future Energy’.
Modi is himself in Astana, in Kazakhstan, where India will become full-fledged members of Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO). SCO is a grouping originally meant to ensure Russia’s sphere of influence in Central Asia and a Eurasian counter to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).
India joining the SCO gives additional weight to the group as well. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted before leaving for Astana, after India’s inclusion, the SCO will represent 40 percent of humanity and 20 percent of global GDP. SCO stands for furthering trade, economy and connectivity in Central Asia and also in fighting terrorism, through cooperation and exchange of intelligence as well as military exercises. Though Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) officials were quick to point out that “the joint exercises are not a defence pact”.
As Modi pointed out “At this meeting, on completion of the process, India will become a full Member of the SCO upon which SCO will represent over 40% of humanity and nearly 20% of global GDP.” “We launched the process of full membership in Tashkent meeting of the SCO last year. I look forward to deepening India’s association with the SCO which will help us in economic, connectivity and counter-terrorism cooperation, among other things.”
Source: Pictures are from Narendra Modi’s Twitter account