India is gearing up to host the virtual Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on July 4th, with the in-person participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair the summit, which will be themed on "Secure," encompassing Security, Economy and Trade, Connectivity, Unity, Respect for Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity, and Environment.

As a full member of the SCO since 2017, India is assuming the role of chair for the first time, having previously hosted significant meetings within the grouping, including the defence and foreign ministers' gathering earlier this year.

All SCO Member States—China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan—have received invitations to attend the summit, along with Observer States Iran, Belarus, and Mongolia. Turkmenistan has been invited as the guest of the Chair, following SCO tradition.

Notably, Pakistan has confirmed its presence at the summit, and Iran is expected to become a full member of the SCO during this year's gathering, hosted by India. Belarus will also finalize its entry process, which typically takes two years, with the signing of a key pact this year and formal entry next year. The SCO aims for rapid expansion, as seen during the recent SCO foreign minister meeting in Goa, where memorandums were signed to grant dialogue partner status to Kuwait, Maldives, Myanmar, and the United Arab Emirates. Bahrain is in the final stages of obtaining this status.

India's presidency of the SCO has seen a total of 134 meetings and events, including 14 ministerial-level gatherings. Under India's leadership, two new mechanisms have been established: special working groups on startups and innovation, as well as an expert working group on traditional medicine. These mechanisms are led by and created by India. The preservation of shared Buddhist heritage has also received special attention, with New Delhi hosting key meetings.

The SCO, dominated by Russia and China, plays a significant role as a regional organization, promoting economic, political, and military cooperation among its member states. Encompassing over 60% of the Eurasian landmass, 40% of the world's population, and 30% of the global GDP, the SCO holds substantial influence on the international stage.

Image source: WION