India attends as full-fledged member
AMN / SOCHI
The annual meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) begins today in Russian city of Sochi. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will represent India in the two-day summit which is likely to discuss regional security scenario, including situations in the Gulf and Afghanistan.
On the sidelines of the summit, Ms Swaraj will also have bilateral meetings with several leaders. She also attend the reception to be hosted by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.
As a member of the SCO, India is expected to have a bigger say in pressing for concerted action in dealing with terrorism as well as on issues relating to security and defence in the region. In June, India and Pakistan had become full-fledged members of the grouping.