Meeting of Cultural Ministers of the SCO

Context:

  • The Minister of State for Culture led the Indian delegation to the 15th Meeting of the Cultural Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization(SCO) Member States  held in Sanya, Hainan province, on 16th and 17thMay, 2018.
  • India participated for the first time at the Meeting of  Cultural Ministers of the SCO.

Speaking at the meet, Minister of State for Culture:

  • India has a long history of cultural exchanges with China and other SCO member states. Joining the SCO has provided a new platform, greater space and opportunities for exchanges and cooperation.
  • It is a binding force in the development of peaceful coexistence for humanity.
  • It  will be a win-win situation for China and India – both of which have a rich and diversified culture – to further explore and develop wider cultural exchanges and cooperation that could include tourism, education, science, archaeology, music, drama and even yoga.

Shanghai Cooperation Organization

  • India became full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on 9th June, 2017 during the SCO Heads of State Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan. At this Summit, the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi  had stated that from the regional and global perspective, Shanghai Cooperation Organization is one of the main pillars of peace and security.
  • India has been participating in Cultural initiatives undertaken by SCO like nominating World Heritage sites for the SCO-UNESCO exhibition proposed to be held in Paris in September, 2018 and signing of MoU between SCO and UNESCO.
  • The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is an eight-member multilateral organization, established on 15 June 2001 in Shanghai, China by the leaders  of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.Pakistan also became the full member of SCO along with India, taking its membership to 8.After the expansion of membership, SCO represents approximately 42% of the world’s population, 20% of its GDP and 22% of the landmass.
  • The main objectives of the SCO are to strengthen relations among member states; promote cooperation in various fields like political affairs, economics, and education, culture, tourism, environment protection etc. and promote regional peace ,  security, and stability among others.

Source:PIB

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