India and China Hold First Bilateral SCO Consultations on 16-17 April

Key facts

• India and China conducted their first Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) bilateral consultations on 16-17 April following the resolution of the eastern Ladakh military standoff in 2024.
• Both delegations met with the Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Sibi George, to review cooperation in security, trade, connectivity, and people-to-people ties.
• The two sides discussed the implementation of decisions made by SCO leaders and the future course of the organisation.
• China has pledged support for the ongoing BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) presidency held by India.
• The Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, is expected to visit India for the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting scheduled for 14-15 May.
• The President of China, Xi Jinping, is anticipated to travel to India in September for the BRICS summit.
• India reiterated that the original objectives of the SCO are to combat terrorism, radicalisation, and extremism.
• India emphasised that regional connectivity initiatives must uphold the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity as enshrined in the SCO charter.