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PM attends 22nd SCO meet in Samarkand

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 16 September attended the 22nd summit  of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) at  Samarkand in Uzbekistan. The Summit took place into two sessions- one was the restricted where the eight Member States participated and other was the extended session where the Member States along with the Observers and the invited countries participated and spoke. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi making   intervention in the sessions, he shared India’s perspective on the regional and international situation and the issues of regional peace and security, including in Afghanistan. PM Shri Modi emphasized on the centrality of the aspirations and the needs of the Central Asian Republics in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and  need for greater cooperation to fight terrorism in the region. And in this context, PM  stressed  the important role that SCO can play, including through the work of the SCO RATS organization, which is the SCO’s structure to counter the threat of terrorism in our region. Four, emphasized the need for better regional connectivity, which is absolutely essential for greater economic and trade cooperation between India and the SCO member countries, India and Central Asia. Chabahar, another important project for regional connectivity along with the North South Transport Corridor was also mentioned in Prime Minister’s intervention. Prime Minister also reiterated his support for the ongoing expansion of the organization welcomed Iran and Belarus as new Member States. PM also welcomed the inclusion of UAE, the Maldives, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Myanmar as new Dialogue Partners of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Prime Minister also drew attention to the need for substantive cooperation in the field of trade and economy, humanitarian and development partnerships, and using the millennia old civilizational ties between the SCO Members States as a foundation on which to build these two layers of cooperation between India and the SCO and in this context Prime Minister Modi thanked all the Member States of the SCO for endorsing Varanasi, Kashi as the first ever SCO Tourist and Cultural Capital during the upcoming year 2022-23.

Among the outcomes, a large number of documents were signed at both levels. One, by the Heads of State and Government and two at a function level. But among the main outcomes was the Samarkand declaration, which emanated from the Summit. The leaders also adopted a statement on response to climate change at India’s initiative. The SCO also approved another Indian initiative setting up of an Expert Working Group on Traditional Medicine. This is another area where India has a global leadership capability.

On terrorism, SCO agreed to works towards developing a unified list of terrorist, separatist and extremist organizations whose activities are prohibited on the territories of the SCO Member States. Each of the SCO Member State was very clear in recognizing the threat which poses  challenge to the region.There were also a couple of intergovernmental agreements which were approved including in the field of tourism and on plant quarantine issue. There were a couple of other agreements which were approved, which included the digital literacy agreement on renewable energy resources, stimulating industrial cooperation, etc.

Bilateral meetings

In addition to PM’s participation in the summit, Prime Minister also held bilateral meetings with the leaders of Uzbekistan, Russia, Iran and Turkey.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi held first bilateral meeting with  the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The two leaders touched upon priority areas of bilateral cooperation, particularly trade, economic cooperation and connectivity. They stressed the need to make concerted efforts to diversify the trade basket and enter into long-term arrangements to promote trade and investment. Connectivity was considered key to unlock the potential in this regard, including greater usage of the Chabahar port and the International North South Transport Corridor.

The leaders emphasized cooperation in fields like Information Technology, healthcare, higher education etc., based upon India’s developmental experience and expertise. Opening of Indian educational institutions and partnership between Uzbek and Indian universities was welcomed.

Regional issues, including Afghanistan were discussed. The leaders were unanimous in their view that the territory of Afghanistan should not be used for terrorist activities.

The leaders attached great importance to the outcomes of the First India-Central Asia Summit held in January this year. They acknowledged the progress being made in the implementation of the Summit decisions.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi held second bilateral meeting with the  President of Russian Federation Vladimir Putin on the sidelines the  SCO summit.

The leaders appreciated the sustained momentum in bilateral ties, including contacts at various levels. President Putin expressed appreciation for Prime Minister’s video-message at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok earlier this month.

The leaders discussed important issues of bilateral cooperation as well as regional and global issues of interest. Discussions also pertained to global food security, energy security and availability of fertilizers in the context of the challenges emanating from the current geo-political situation.

In the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Prime Minister reiterated his call for an early cessation of hostilities and the need for dialogue and diplomacy. This was the first meeting of both leaders this year, which marks the 75th anniversary year of establishment of diplomatic relations. They agreed to remain in touch.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raisi met fisrt time after the President Raisi’s assumption of office in 2021.

Apart from discussing important  bilateral issues,the two leaders reviewed the progress in the development of the Shahid Behesti terminal, Chabahar Port and underscored the importance of bilateral cooperation in the field of regional connectivity. The two leaders also discussed international and regional developments including Afghanistan. Prime Minister Shri Modi  reiterated India’s priorities of providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan and the need for a representative and inclusive political dispensation in support of a peaceful, stable and secure Afghanistan. President Raisi briefed the Prime Minister on the status of the JCPOA negotiations.Prime Minister extended an invitation to President Raisi to visit India at his earliest convenience.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi also met President of the Republic of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Both leaders reviewed India – Türkiye relations. While noting the increase in recent years in economic relations, particularly bilateral trade, they acknowledged the potential for further enhancement of economic and commercial linkages. The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments. Both leaders agreed to maintain regular contacts not just on bilateral issues, but also for the benefit of the region.

Varanasi nominated as the first-ever SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital at the 2022 SCO Summit

In the SCO summit at Samarkand in Uzbekistan, the city of Varanasi has been nominated as the first-ever SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital during the period 2022-2023.

The nomination of Varanasi as the first ever SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital will promote tourism, cultural and humanitarian exchanges between India and the SCO member Countries. It also underlines India’s ancient civilizational links with Member States of SCO, especially the Central Asian Republics.

Under the framework of this major cultural outreach program, a number of events will be hosted in Varanasi during 2022-23, for which guests will be invited to participate from SCO Member States. These events are expected to attract Ideologists, scholars, authors, musicians and artists, photo journalists, travel bloggers and other invited guests.

The regulations for nomination of the SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital were adopted at the Dushanbe SCO Summit in 2021 with an objective of promoting cooperation between the SCO Member States in the field of culture and tourism.

   Samarkand declaration

  • Decision by the Council of Heads of the SCO Member States on the Comprehensive Action Plan for 2023-2027 for implementation of provisions of the Treaty on Long-Term Good Neighbourliness, Friendship and Cooperation among the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States.
  • Decision of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Council of Heads of State on the Concept of Cooperation of Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States to Develop Interconnectivity and Create Efficient Transport Corridors.
  • Decision of the Council of the Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization on improvement of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization activities.
  • Decision of the Council of the Heads of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States on the Regulations on the Honorary Title of Goodwill Ambassador of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
  • Decision of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States on signing the Memorandum of Commitment of the Islamic Republic of Iran to become a member State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
  • Decision of the Council of the Heads of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States on launching the procedure of admitting the Republic of Belarus as a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
  • Decision of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States on granting the Republic of Maldives the status of Shanghai Cooperation Organization dialogue partner.
  • Decision of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Council of Heads of State on granting the Kingdom of Bahrain the status of Shanghai Cooperation Organization dialogue partner.
  • Decision of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States on granting the Republic of the Union of Myanmar the status of Shanghai Cooperation Organization dialogue partner.
  • Decision of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States on granting the United Arab Emirates the status of Shanghai Cooperation Organization dialogue partner.
  • Decision of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States on granting the State of Kuwait the status of Shanghai Cooperation Organization dialogue partner.
  • Decision of the Council of Heads of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States on declaring Varanasi, Republic of India, as the Tourist and Cultural Capital of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in 2022-2023.
  • Decision of the Council of Heads of Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States on signing the Memorandum between the Secretariat of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (2023-2027).
  • Decision of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Council of Heads of State on approval of the report of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Secretary-General on Shanghai Cooperation Organization activities for the period from September 2021 to September 2022.
  • Resolution of the Council of the Heads of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States on the approval of the Report of the Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure on the activities of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure in 2021.
  • Decision of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Council of the Heads of State on the termination of decisions of the Council of the Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States.
  • Agreement between the Governments of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States on Development of Cooperation in the Field of Tourism.
  • Memorandum between authorized bodies of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation member states on cooperation in museum affairs.
  • Agreement between the authorized bodies of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states on cooperation in the field of plant quarantine.
  • Programme of Cooperation between Authorized Bodies of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States in the Use of Renewable Energy Sources.
  • Program to stimulate industrial cooperation between the business communities of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states.
  • Cooperation Program between Authorized Bodies of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States on Digital Literacy Development.
  • Program of Cooperation between Authorized Bodies of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States on Development of Artificial Intelligence.
  • Roadmap on Cooperation between Medical Organizations of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States in the Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases.
  • Action Plan for SCO Member States Scientific and Technical Cooperation in Priority Areas (2022-2025).
  • Concept of Cooperation of Ministries of Health of Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States in the Field of Telemedicine.
  • The concept of interaction between authorized bodies of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states in the field of “smart” agriculture and agro- innovation.