China: Jaishankar discussed SCO General Yermakbayev with efforts to modernize SCO

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who met with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) general secretary Nurlan Yermekebayev in Beijing on Monday, said the discussion between the two included the contribution and importance and efforts to modernize its work.

In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, “Today SCO in Beijing is happy to meet SG Nurlan Yermekebayev. He discussed efforts to modernize its work with the contribution and importance of the SCO.”

Jaishankar arrived in China after concluding his visit to Singapore, which is the first visit to Beijing in five years. During his visit, Jaishankar will participate in the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers’ meeting (CFM) at Tianjin and will also attend bilateral meetings on the shore.

The 25th State Council meeting of SCO will be held in Tianjin later this year. India presided over the SCO President in 2023 while Pakistan hosted the SCO leaders summit in 2024.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a permanent inter -government international organization, which includes India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran and Belarus.

After Jaishankar’s visit, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval visited China in June for SCO meetings.

Prior to this June, India refused to sign a joint statement in the meeting of SCO Defense Ministers, as it did not include any mention of terrorist attack in Pahgam, killing 26 people. India had insisted on strong references to terrorism, but a country – Pakistan was considered – disagree. (AI)