The summit has become interesting as the Chinese President Xi Jinping and PM Modi will be coming face-to-face in the bilateral talks amid the months-long army standoff over the border dispute in Ladakh at the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
While Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will also be joining the meeting along with other leaders to discuss the ways to recover from the adverse economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the rising threat of terrorism among other issues.
Addressing the virtual summit PM Modi said, "India has strong cultural and historical ties with SCO countries. India believes that to enhance connectivity it is important that we move forward while respecting one another's sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
“It is unfortunate that there are unnecessary attempts to bring bilateral issues in the SCO agenda, which is in violation of SCO Charter and Shanghai spirit”, the PM said.
"A 'reformed multilateralism' that reflects today's global realities, discussing topics such as expectations of all stakeholders, contemporary challenges, and human welfare. We expect the full support of SCO member nations in this endeavor," he said.
Since 2017, Modi has participated in all SCO heads of state summit, when India, and also Pakistan, became a full member of the group. The summit deals with all issues related to the group including political, security, trade, economic, and cultural
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The annual heads of the state summit is being held for the first time in virtual format due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Russia is the current Chair of SCO. Heads of states of all 8 member states – Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan are to be present in the meeting.