INDIA and China held Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Bilateral Consultations in New Delhi, discussing the implementation of the SCO Leaders’ decisions and the future course of the organisation. The two sides agreed to continue and consolidate mutual cooperation and consultations in SCO matters, according to a statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday. India’s SCO National Coordinator, Ambassador Alok A Dimri and China’s National Coordinator, Ambassador Yan Wenbin, led the respective delegations during the meeting held in New Delhi on April 16-17.

 

“Both delegations, jointly, called on Secretary (West) Shri Sibi George to review cooperation within the SCO framework, including in the areas of security, trade, connectivity, and people-topeople ties. Both sides agreed to continue mutual consultations in future,” the MEA release said. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was established on June 15, 2001, with its founding members being China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. In 2017, India and Pakistan joined it. In 2023, Iran became a member, followed by Belarus in 2024, bringing the total number of SCO member states to 10