SCO Foreign Minister’s meeting | Economic cooperation, national currency payments on agenda
The HinduStepping up economic cooperation, including discussing national currency payments for mutual trade will be on the agenda for Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Foreign Ministers meeting in Benaulim on Friday. “While traditionally security and terrorism used to dominate the SCO’s agenda, but during its presidency, India is bringing on the table issues of economic and cultural cooperation between the members as well,” official sources said, indicating that other issues including startups and innovations and digital infrastructure would also be brought on the agenda during India’s tenure as SCO President. They also reviewed 15 “Decision points” that would be discussed and approved by the Foreign Ministers after Friday morning’s SCO meeting, and MoUs will be signed. Asked whether India, as a country that has no ties at a political level with co-member Pakistan, and strained ties with SCO founder China due to the 3-year-old military standoff at the Line of Actual Control, as well as a member of U.S.-led groupings like the Quad, which have been criticised by SCO co-founder Russia, was in an awkward position as SCO host, officials said India’s position is appreciated as a “balancing” force.