Goa, 4 May 2023 (TDI): Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in India to attend the annual Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Foreign Ministers’ session. Lavrov is anticipated to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from other SCO member states on the sidelines of the conference.
Russian Foreign Minister and the External Affairs Minister of India, S. Jaishankar, are currently in conversation. The agenda of the meeting is focused on fostering Russia and India’s strategic alliance, particularly in commerce, energy, defense, and space. The two countries will also talk about regional and international concerns.
For decades, the two nations have enjoyed a solid and friendly relationship based on mutual trust, shared interests, and common values.
The two countries have been working together on various bilateral, regional, and international issues. They are also members of several important multilateral forums, including the SCO, Arctic Council, G20, EAS, and BRICS.
Both nations have set an ambitious target of increasing bilateral trade to $30 billion by 2025 and have been working on enhancing economic ties through the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). This multi-modal transportation network connects India, Russia, and Europe.
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)
The SCO is a significant regional organization that aims to promote regional security, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange among its member states.
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It comprises eight member states, namely Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, and four observer states, namely Afghanistan, Iran, Belarus, and Mongolia.
The organization promotes economic cooperation and connectivity, bringing significant benefits to the region, particularly in trade, investment, and infrastructure development.
The SCO has also been working to strengthen regional security and stability by promoting cooperation among its member states in the fight against terrorism, drug trafficking, and organized crime.
The organization has established several mechanisms for sharing intelligence and coordinating counter-terrorism efforts, including the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS).
In addition, the SCO has been playing an essential role in promoting cultural exchange and people-to-people contacts among its member states. The organization has organized several cultural events, festivals, youth exchanges, and academic exchanges to encourage greater understanding and mutual respect among its member states.
