Why in the News?

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to lead the Indian delegation at the high-level SCO Summit in Islamabad. Both India and Pakistan have ruled out the possibility of bilateral talks during the summit.

About SCO

• Founded: 2001, Shanghai Summit
• Founding Members: Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
• Members Joined Later:
  • India & Pakistan: 2017
  • Iran: 2023
  • Belarus: 2024
• Other Participants: 3 Observer States and 6 Dialogue Partners
• Key Structures
  • Council of Heads of State – Apex decision-making body
  • Council of Heads of Government – Second-highest authority
• Permanent Bodies
  • Secretariat: Beijing, China
  • Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS): Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Logo of SCO