Ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a telephone conversation with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The discussion underscored the mutual commitment to bolster their bilateral Strategic Partnership.

Prime Minister Modi conveyed India’s steadfast support for the forthcoming SCO Summit and expressed confidence in Kazakhstan’s leadership to enhance regional cooperation. President Tokayev, in turn, congratulated Modi on his historic third consecutive term and the successful execution of India’s democratic processes. Modi expressed gratitude for the warm felicitations.

However …

According to official sources, Prime Minister Modi will not be attending the SCO Summit in person, scheduled for July 3-4, due to the coinciding parliamentary session in India. Instead, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent India at the summit. This development marks a change from earlier plans where Modi had intended to travel to Astana, and preliminary security measures had been initiated.

The SCO, established in 2001 by China and Russia, is the world’s largest regional organization by geographic area and population, covering much of Eurasia. The organization serves as a platform for member states to address regional security issues, combat terrorism, and promote economic development. It also collaborates with the United Nations on matters related to peace and security.

Last year, Prime Minister Modi hosted the SCO Summit virtually, with notable participation from Chinese President Xi Jinping, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

This year’s summit will see the participation of leaders or representatives from China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and Iran.

The upcoming summit in Astana is poised to further solidify the cooperative efforts within the SCO, with Kazakhstan playing a pivotal role under President Tokayev’s leadership. Modi’s dialogue with Tokayev reaffirms the strategic partnership between India and Kazakhstan and sets a collaborative tone for the regional meeting.