On July 19, India’s Minister for Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, speaking in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, at the meeting of culture ministers from the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), framed culture as a “powerful force for dialogue, trust and sustainable development.” He reaffirmed India’s commitment to preserving the “shared civilizational heritage” and strengthening cooperation among the members of the group. The meeting ended with a gala concert and a guided tour of the Rukh-Ordo cultural complex, which serves as an exhibition venue to showcase Kyrgyzstan’s cultural heritage, history, and traditions. There was also a proposal for an SCO international theater festival.
Earlier, in April, the defense ministers of the SCO countries met in Bishkek. Next will be the foreign ministers meeting in Cholpon-Ata on July 23-24. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh will represent India at the meeting, which will prepare the ground for the SCO Leadership Summit, scheduled to be held in Bishkek from August 31 to September 1. The foreign ministers will review progress in key areas of SCO cooperation and exchange views on matters of regional and international significance. On September 1, Kyrgyzstan will pass the chairmanship of the organization to Pakistan.
