S Jaishankar Meets Kazakhstan’s Murat Nurtleu in Astana

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu in Astana on Tuesday. They discussed expanding the strategic partnership between India and Kazakhstan and India’s increasing engagement with Central Asia.

Jaishankar expressed gratitude for the hospitality and arrangements for the SCO Council of Heads of State Summit. The two ministers also exchanged views on regional and global issues.

Jaishankar’s Arrival in Astana

Jaishankar arrived in Astana to represent India at the SCO Summit, which is being held under Kazakhstan’s chairmanship. He was welcomed by Kazakhstan Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Bakayev at the airport. Jaishankar is leading the Indian delegation at the summit.

About the SCO Summit

The SCO Summit will be held on July 3-4. The 24th Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State will be held under the presidency of Kazakhstan on July 4. Leaders are expected to review the organization’s activities over the past two decades and discuss the state and prospects of multilateral cooperation. Topical issues of regional and international importance are also expected to be discussed.

India’s priorities in the SCO are shaped by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a ‘SECURE’ SCO, which stands for Security, Economic cooperation, Connectivity, Unity, Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and Environmental protection. India hosted the 23rd meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State in a virtual format on July 4, 2023, under its first-ever presidency of the SCO. Kazakhstan took over the presidency from India.