MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh in Bishkek for SCO Foreign Ministers' Meet
UPSC / SSC current affairs note
Why in news
India's Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, is on a two-day visit to Kyrgyzstan to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting. This meeting is crucial as it prepares for the upcoming SCO Leadership Summit and discusses key regional and global issues.
Background
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a permanent intergovernmental international organization, founded in 2001. Its members include China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The Council of Foreign Ministers meets annually to discuss the organization's agenda and prepare for the summit.
Key facts
MoS for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh is on a two-day visit to Kyrgyzstan.
He is attending the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Bishkek.
The meeting serves as a prelude to the SCO Leadership Summit.
Ministers will discuss regional and global issues and finalize documents for adoption.
India is a full member of the SCO since 2017.
Prelims pointers
- SCO: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
- Founded: 2001
- Members: China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
- Observer states: Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Mongolia
- Dialogue partners: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Turkey
- Headquarters: Beijing, China
- Secretary-General: Zhang Ming (as of 2023)
- India joined as full member in 2017
- Council of Foreign Ministers meets annually
- Bishkek is the capital of Kyrgyzstan
Mains angles
- Discuss the role of SCO in promoting regional security and economic cooperation in Central Asia.
- Critically examine India's strategic interests in the SCO and its balancing act with other major powers.
- Analyze the challenges and opportunities for SCO in addressing contemporary global issues like terrorism and climate change.