Chinese President Xi Jinping to Attend SCO Summit in Kazakhstan

Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the 24th summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Astana, Kazakhstan, from July 2 to 6, announced the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Xi will also pay state visits to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan at the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan and President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan, according to spokesperson Hua Chunying.

Meanwhile, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will lead the Indian delegation at the SCO summit, which will take place from July 3-4 in Astana. Kazakhstan took over the SCO presidency from India, which hosted the summit virtually in July 2023. This year’s host, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has proposed initiatives like the establishment of a joint investment fund.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a political, economic, and security group established in 2001. Its current members include China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Iran became a full member in 2023 under the Indian Presidency. Belarus is an observer state and is next in line for full membership. The SCO focuses on regional security, counter-terrorism, and economic cooperation, covering over 60% of the Eurasian landmass, 40% of the world population, and 30% of global GDP.