PM Modi Likely To Skip SCO Summit Amid Strained Ties With China

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to skip the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, set to be held on 3-4 July in Astana, Kazakhstan, amid strained ties with China.

Earlier, Modi had confirmed his presence at the SCO summit. However, the Economic Times reported that External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar may now be sent to represent India.

The latest chill in ties comes from the US Congressional Delegates' visit to Dharamshala in India to meet the Dalai Lama, after which strong statements were released by the US against China.

The last meeting between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping took place at the BRICS Summit in South Africa in 2023. The SCO summit held in 2023 under India's presidency was held virtually.

Currently, SCO has India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as its members.