Putin to address meeting chaired by Indian PM Modi

July 4: Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to address a global summit for the first time since the Wagner mercenary group staged a mutiny in June. He will join leaders from China, India, Pakistan and four Central Asian countries virtually for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on Tuesday.

India is chairing the summit this year, which is taking place just two weeks after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was hosted by US President Joe Biden for a state visit. Regional security, economy, food security, climate change and Afghanistan are some of the issues that are likely to be discussed in the meeting.

China, Russia and four Central Asian countries formed the SCO in 2001 as a countermeasure to limit the influence of the West in the region. India and Pakistan joined the group in 2017. All SCO member states, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, have either abstained or not voted in favour of UN sanctions against Russia.

India, which is hosting the event, would want some tangible outcomes in the form of pledges on anti-terrorism measures, trade, financing to fight climate change, fight against drugs trade, food security and money laundering. The meeting is taking place virtually, so bilateral agreements are off the table.

(BBC)