India to host SCO summit for first time, 6 PMs set to attend

India is hosting the summit for the first time after it gained full membership of the influential grouping in 2017. The summit will take place in the virtual format. The MEA said Vice President Venkaiah Naidu will chair the 19th meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government which is held annually with a focus on trade and economic agenda of the organisation.

Apart from the SCO member states, the four observer states of the SCO -- Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia -- will also participate in the summit. The MEA said the president of Afghanistan, the first vice president of Iran, the Prime Minister of Belarus and the deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia will represent their countries. Turkmenistan has been invited as a special guest of the host and will be represented by its deputy chairman of the cabinet of ministers.

The SCO secretary general and the executive director of the SCO Regional Anti Terrorist Structure (RATS) are also scheduled to participate in the virtual summit.