External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit at Sochi in Russia.
- In June 2017, India and Pakistan had become full-fledged members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
- This summit is also seen as a political and security organisation to coordinate counter-terrorism efforts.
- India had been an observer at the SCO since 2005.
- In June, India and Pakistan had become full-fledged members of the SCO.
- India's membership was strongly pushed by Russia while Pakistan's entry into the grouping was backed by China.
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
- Formation - 15 June 2001
- Headquarters - Beijing, China
- Secretary General: Rashid Alimov
- Member states: China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan