Justice Sheel Nagu Appointed Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court

Justice Sheel Nagu has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, following a notification by the Centre on Thursday. Previously, Justice Nagu served as the Acting Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court after Chief Justice Ravi Malimath demitted office on May 24, 2024. His appointment comes after a Supreme Court Collegium recommendation and fills the position left vacant since Chief Justice RS Jha’s retirement on October 13, 2023. Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva has now been appointed as the new Acting Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court.

Background and Career

Birth and Early Career: Born on January 1, 1965, Justice Sheel Nagu enrolled as an advocate in October 1987 and practiced at the Madhya Pradesh High Court in constitutional, service, labor, and criminal cases.

Judicial Appointment: Appointed as a High Court judge on May 27, 2011.

Judicial Contributions: Authored more than 499 reported judgments over a tenure of 12 years at the Madhya Pradesh High Court.

Supreme Court Collegium Recommendation

Recommendation Date: December 27, 2023.

Collegium Members: Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justices Sanjiv Khanna, and BR Gavai.

Previous Acting Chief Justices: Justice Ritu Bahri (October 2023 – February 2024) and Justice GS Sandhawalia (appointed February 4, 2024).

Recent Appointments and Changes

New Acting Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court: Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva.

Recent Clearances by Centre: Appointment of Justice BR Sarangi as Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court on July 3, following the Collegium’s recommendations.

States and Capitals of India, List of 28 States and 8 UT’s 2024

State and Capitals of India

India is a vast country in South Asia, the 7th largest by land area. It is divided into 28 states and 8 union territories, each with its own capital city. The states and union territories are further subdivided into districts. New Delhi, located in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, serves as the administrative, political, and cultural capital of India.

The states and capitals of India form a vibrant tapestry, reflecting the nation’s diversity in culture, traditions, and innovation. Exploring these regions is a journey of discovery, bridging the ancient and the modern, the traditional and the contemporary, and showcasing India’s unity in diversity.

The states were reorganized in 1956 based on linguistic lines. Today, India has a total of 28 states and 8 union territories, encompassing 400 cities. The country has eight major metropolitan cities: Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, and Pune. The Prime Minister has initiated a plan to develop 100 smart cities across India, with Indore being recognized as the Smart City for four consecutive years.

List of Indian States and Capitals

Total states in India of 28 states and 8 union territories. Each state adds to India’s cultural tapestry, enriching and energising the country’s identity. The 28 Indian States and their capitals are as follows.

S.NO	State	Capital	CM	Governor
1	Andhra Pradesh	Amaravati	Sri Nara Chandrababu Naidu	S. Abdul Nazer
2	Arunachal Pradesh	Itanagar	Pema Khandu	Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik
3	Assam	Dispur	Himanta Biswa Sarma	Gulab Chand Kataria
4	Bihar	Patna	Nitish Kumar	Rajendra Arlekar
5	Chhattisgarh	Raipur	Vishnu Deo Sai	Biswabhusan Harichandan
6	Goa	Panaji	Pramod Sawant	P.S. Sreedharan Pillai
7	Gujarat	Gandhinagar	Bhupendra Patel	Acharya Dev Vrat
8	Haryana	Chandigarh	Nayab Singh Saini	Bandaru Dattatraya
9	Himachal Pradesh	Shimla	Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu	Shiv Pratap Shukla
10	Jharkhand	Ranchi	Hemant Soren	C. P. Radhakrishnan
11	Karnataka	Bengaluru	Siddaramaiah	Thaawarchand Gehlot
12	Kerala	Thiruvananthapuram	Pinarayi Vijayan	Arif Mohammed Khan
13	Madhya Pradesh	Bhopal	Mohan Yadav	Mangubhai Chhaganbhai Patel
14	Maharashtra	Mumbai	Eknath Shinde	Ramesh Bais
15	Manipur	Imphal	N. Biren Singh	Anusuiya Uikey
16	Meghalaya	Shillong	Conrad Kongkal Sangma	Phagu Chauhan
17	Mizoram	Aizawl	Lalduhoma	Kambhampati Haribabu
18	Nagaland	Kohima	Neiphiu Rio	La. Ganesan
19	Odisha	Bhubaneswar	Naveen Patnaik	Raghubar Das
20	Punjab	Chandigarh	Bhagwant Singh Mann	Banwarilal Purohit
21	Rajasthan	Jaipur	Bhajan Lal Sharma	Kalraj Mishra
22	Sikkim	Gangtok	PS Golay	Lakshman Acharya
23	Tamil Nadu	Chennai	M. K. Stalin	R. N. Ravi
24	Telangana	Hyderabad	Anumula Revanth Reddy	C. P. Radhakrishnan
25	Tripura	Agartala	Dr. Manik Saha	N. Indrasena Reddy
26	Uttar Pradesh	Lucknow	Yogi Aditya Nath	Anandiben Patel
27	Uttarakhand	Dehradun	Pushkar Singh Dhami	Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh
28	West Bengal	Kolkata	Mamata Banerjee	Dr. C.V. Ananda Bose

Indian Union Territories and Capitals

The capital of India is New Delhi, which is a union territory. The other union territories are Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry. The states and union territories of India are home to a diverse range of cultures, languages, and religions. They are also home to a wide variety of geographical features, from the snow-capped mountains of the Himalayas to the tropical beaches of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

S.NO	Union Territories	Capital	CM	Lt. Governor
1	Andaman and Nicobar Island	Port Blair	NA	D K Joshi
2	Chandigarh	Chandigarh	NA	Banwarilal Purohit
3	Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu	Daman	NA	Praful Patel
4	Delhi	Delhi	Arvind Kejriwal	Vinai Kumar Saxena
5	Ladakh	NA	NA	B. D. Mishra
6	Lakshadweep	Kavaratti	NA	Praful Patel
7	Jammu and Kashmir	NA	NA	Manoj Sinha
8	Puducherry	Pondicherry	N. Rangaswamy	C. P. Radhakrishnana

List of the Indian States and their Languages

India is a country with a rich and diverse linguistic heritage. There are over 121 languages spoken in India, and each state has its own unique linguistic landscape. The Indian Constitution recognizes 22 languages as “scheduled languages,” which are given special status in government and education.

S. No.	States	Language
1	Andhra Pradesh	Telugu and Urdu
2	Arunachal Pradesh	Miji, Apotanji, Merdukpen, Tagin, Adi, Honpa, Banging-Nishi
3	Assam	Assamese
4	Bihar	Hindi
5	Chhattisgarh	Hindi
6	Goa	Marathi Konkani
7	Gujarat	Gujarati
8	Haryana	Hindi
9	Himachal Pradesh	Hindi and Pahari
10	Jharkhand	Hindi
11	Karnataka	Kannada
12	Kerala	Malayalam
13	Madhya Pradesh	Hindi
14	Maharashtra	Marathi
15	Manipur	Manipuri
16	Meghalaya	Khashi, Jaintia, And Garo
17	Mizoram	Mizo and English
18	Nagaland	Ao, Konyak, Angami, Sema, and Lotha
19	Odisha	Oriya
20	Punjab	Punjabi
21	Rajasthan	Rajasthani and Hindi
22	Sikkim	Bhutia, Hindi, Nepali, Lepcha, Limbu
23	Tamil Nadu	Tamil
24	Telangana	Telugu
25	Tripura	Bengali, Tripuri, Manipuri, Kakborak
26	Uttar Pradesh	Hindi
27	Uttarakhand	Hindi
28	West Bengal	Bengali

States and Capitals of India Specialities

States	Specialisation
Andhra Pradesh	Andhra Pradesh is famous for its spicy food traditions, alongside its historic landmarks such as the Charminar and Golconda Fort in Hyderabad.
Arunachal Pradesh	Arunachal Pradesh is famous for its stunning natural beauty, a rich diversity of tribal traditions, and the Tawang Monastery, which is among the biggest monasteries in India.
Assam	Assam is well-known for its lush tea gardens, the unique one-horned rhinoceros found in Kaziranga National Park, vibrant Bihu dance, and the beautiful art of weaving traditional silk.
Bihar	Bihar holds a special place in history, with notable landmarks like the ancient city of Patliputra, sacred Buddhist destinations such as Bodh Gaya, and the exquisite Madhubani art.
Chhattisgarh	Chhattisgarh is well-known for its tribal culture, abundant mineral reserves, and the breathtaking Chitrakote Waterfall, often referred to as India’s version of the famous Niagara Falls.
Delhi	Delhi is renowned for its iconic structures like India Gate and the Istana, which symbolize the challenges the nation has overcome in the past and the aspirations it holds for the future.
Goa	Goa is renowned for its stunning shorelines, lively parties, an exceptional mix of Indian and Portuguese traditions, and delicious seafood dishes.
Gujarat	Gujarat is famous for its strong presence in industry and commerce, the vast and unique Rann of Kutch desert, lively celebrations such as Navaratri and Diwali, and the Sabarmati Ashram, which is closely linked to Mahatma Gandhi.
Haryana	Haryana is famous for its high agricultural output. It’s also a thriving center for various industries. In addition, Chandigarh stands out as a designed city, celebrated for its impressive architecture and well-planned urban layout.
Himachal Pradesh	Dharamshala is well-known for its beautiful hill stations, exciting adventure opportunities, peaceful scenery, and the fact that the Dalai Lama lives there.
Jharkhand	Jharkhand boasts abundant mineral wealth, celebrates its indigenous tribal heritage, and hosts the stunning Betla National Park.
Karnataka	Karnataka is famous for being the ‘Silicon Valley of India’ due to its booming IT sector. It’s also renowned for its rich history with places like Hampi and the beautiful traditional dance form called Bharatanatyam.
Kerala	Karnataka is renowned for its diverse attractions, including beautiful landscapes, ancient Ayurvedic traditions, and a notable educational standard.
Maharashtra	Karnataka stands out as the ‘Maharashtra of the South,’ much like how Maharashtra is recognized as the economic and cultural hub of India, home to Bollywood, iconic monuments such as the Gateway of India, and popular culinary delights like Vada Pav.
Manipur	Widely known for its rich heritage of dance styles such as Manipuri dance, the picturesque Loktak Lake, and the lively festivals it hosts.

Laos Gears Up to Host 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

Laos authorities have discussed preparations for the 57th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and related meetings, scheduled to take place in the Laos capital Vientiane from July 21 to 27.

Preparatory Meeting

A preparatory meeting was held on Wednesday, chaired by Laos Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Saleumxay Kommasith.

Progress Briefing

During the meeting, participants were briefed about the progress made by sub-committees in preparation for the major regional events. The preparatory work includes accommodation for ministers and delegations from more than 34 countries, delegate vehicles, transport, communication, and internet facilities.

Call to Action

Saleumxay urged relevant authorities to continue their efforts in preparing for the upcoming regional events, ensuring all arrangements are in place for the smooth conduct of the meeting.

ASEAN : Key Points

Full Name: Association of Southeast Asian Nations

Founded: August 8, 1967

Headquarters: Jakarta, Indonesia

Motto: “One Vision, One Identity, One Community”

Member Countries (10)

Brunei Darussalam
Cambodia
Indonesia
Laos
Malaysia
Myanmar
Philippines
Singapore
Thailand
Vietnam

Objectives

Promote Economic Growth: Foster economic development and trade among member states.

Cultural Development: Enhance cultural exchanges and mutual understanding.

Social Progress: Improve living standards and quality of life in the region.

Political Stability: Maintain peace, stability, and security.

Regional Cooperation: Strengthen collaboration in various fields including agriculture, education, and science.

Key Bodies

ASEAN Summit: Highest policy-making body comprising heads of state/government of member states.

ASEAN Secretariat: Based in Jakarta, Indonesia, it provides administrative support and implements ASEAN policies.

ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF): A platform for security dialogue in Asia.

Key Agreements and Initiatives

ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA): Aims to eliminate tariffs and facilitate trade.

ASEAN Economic Community (AEC): Seeks to create a single market and production base.

ASEAN Plus Three: Involves ASEAN along with China, Japan, and South Korea, enhancing cooperation with East Asia.

Major Summits and Meetings

ASEAN Summit: Held biannually, focusing on strategic issues and regional cooperation.

ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting: Annual meeting addressing diplomatic and security matters.

Partnerships

Dialogue Partners: Includes countries like China, Japan, South Korea, the United States, and the European Union, fostering external relations and cooperation.

Challenges

Economic Disparities: Addressing development gaps among member states.

Political Differences: Managing diverse political systems and ideologies.

Security Issues: Tackling regional security threats like terrorism and territorial disputes.

CM Mohan Yadav Launches ‘Lokpath Mobile App’ For Public

Bhopal, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has said that our aim is to make all departments as accountable as possible towards the public. Lokpath Mobile App prepared by the Public Works Department is being launched with a view to continuously moving forward on the path of public welfare by adopting a more transparent and accountable working system towards the public.

About the app

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that quick improvement will be possible with the app as per the need in 40 thousand kilometer long roads of the state.

It is a challenging and courageous task for the department to make improvements in 7 days. It is believed that the department will be successful in successfully implementing this innovation using the latest technology.
Although it is natural for roads to get damaged due to excessive rainfall, waterlogging and heavy vehicle traffic, the department should try to ensure that there are no potholes on the roads.
Lokpath Mobile App is an important step for the empowerment of Road Information and Management System.

Facilities for this app

The mobile app will provide the facility to the general public to report the problems of the roads and will also ensure the accountability of the officers. Lokpath Mobile App has been prepared by Madhya Pradesh State Electronic Development Corporation Limited.

Lokpath Mobile App can be downloaded and installed by visiting the website of Public Works Department www.mppwd.gov.in.
By opening the app in the mobile phone and taking a photo of the pot hole / patch of the registered roads and uploading it in the app, the complaint will reach the concerned officer directly for resolution.
The officer will repair this pot hole / patch within a time limit of seven days and register the resolution through the app, the information of which will be received by the complainant on the mobile.

Implementation of this scheme

All the repairable national highways, state highways, main district and other district and rural roads of the state under the Public Works Department will be included. This scheme will be implemented in two phases. The first phase is being started from July 2. It will include national highways, state highways and main district roads. In the second phase, the remaining other district and rural roads will be included along with the roads included in the first phase.

Newest Division of Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh, known for its diverse culture and unique traditions, is the fourth largest state in India. It covers an area of 240,928 square kilometers and is the most populous state in the country, with the highest number of Lok Sabha seats.

Population and Administrative Structure of Uttar Pradesh

As of the 2011 census, Uttar Pradesh had a population of approximately 199.8 million, accounting for about 16.5% of India’s total population. Currently, the population exceeds 240 million. The state has 80 Lok Sabha seats, the highest in India.

Districts in Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh has a total of 75 districts, with Sambhal being the newest addition. The state also includes:

826 Community Development Blocks
200 Municipal Councils
17 Municipal Corporations
5 Special Area Development Authorities
546 Nagar Panchayats (Town Councils)
75 Zila Panchayats (District Councils)
Over 58,000 Gram Panchayats (Village Councils)

Divisions in Uttar Pradesh

The state is divided into 18 divisions, which are grouped into four regions:

Western Uttar Pradesh
Purvanchal (Eastern Uttar Pradesh)
Bundelkhand
Central Uttar Pradesh

The Newest Division of Uttar Pradesh

The newest division in Uttar Pradesh is Aligarh, making it the 18th division in the state. Aligarh, previously known as Kol or Koil, has a rich history marked by several invasions. After the Battle of Ghosar, it was renamed Ramgarh. Later, Shia commander Najaf Khan captured the area and renamed it Aligarh.

Kye Highlights of Uttar Pradesh

Historical Sites: Aligarh is famous for the Aligarh Fort.
Educational Institutions: Aligarh Muslim University, established in 1920, is one of the prominent institutions in the city.
Administrative Details: Aligarh consists of 1,241 villages, 19 urban local bodies, and 30 police stations.

Robert Towne, Oscar-Winning Screenwriter of ‘Chinatown,’ Dies at 89

Robert Towne, the acclaimed screenwriter whose work shaped the landscape of American cinema in the 1970s and beyond, passed away on Monday, December 4, 2023, at his home in Los Angeles. He was 89 years old.

His publicist, Carri McClure, confirmed his death, stating that Towne was surrounded by family in his final moments. The cause of death was not disclosed.

A Career Defined by Excellence

Towne’s illustrious career spanned several decades, during which he crafted some of the most memorable screenplays in Hollywood history. His crowning achievement came with the 1974 neo-noir masterpiece “Chinatown,” for which he won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

Other notable works include:

“Shampoo” (1975)
“The Last Detail” (1973)
“Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes” (1984)

These scripts earned him three additional Oscar nominations, cementing his status as one of the industry’s most respected writers.

The Auteur Among Screenwriters

In an era when Hollywood began to recognize the artistic contributions of directors, Towne stood out as a rare “auteur” among screenwriters. His work, particularly “Chinatown,” became a model for the craft, showcasing his ability to bring a deeply personal and influential vision of Los Angeles to the screen.

Collaborations with Hollywood Icons

Towne’s close friendships with Warren Beatty and Jack Nicholson led to fruitful collaborations that defined the cinema of the 1960s and ’70s. These partnerships allowed him to work on projects where artists held unprecedented creative control, resulting in some of the most celebrated films of the period.

Recognition and Legacy

In addition to his Oscar win and nominations, Towne received the Writers Guild of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997, acknowledging his significant contributions to the art of screenwriting.

Robert Towne’s passing marks the end of an era in Hollywood. His ability to elevate the role of the screenwriter and his unique portrayal of Los Angeles will continue to influence filmmakers and writers for generations to come.

He is survived by his family, who were with him in his final hours. Funeral arrangements have not been announced at this time.

Robert Towne’s life and work remind us of the power of words in cinema and the enduring impact of a truly gifted storyteller. His legacy will live on through the timeless films he helped create.

IGNOU Launches MA Programme in Bhagavad Gita Studies

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has announced the launch of a new MA programme in Bhagavad Gita Studies for the academic session 2024-2025. The course will begin in July 2024 and will be offered through open and distance learning (ODL).

Programme Highlights

Course Duration: 2 to 4 years
Seats Available: 500
Credits: 80
Medium of Instruction: Hindi (with plans to introduce English)
Course Fee: Rs 12,600 for the entire two-year course or Rs 6,300 annually
Study Material: Available in print and digital forms

Educational Qualifications

Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent from a recognised university in any field.

Development and Coordination

The course was developed and designed by Professor Devesh Kumar Mishra, who is also the course coordinator.

Official Notice

The approval of the course was granted on December 19, 2023, during the 81st Academic Council Meeting of the institution. Admission details can be accessed through the official IGNOU website.

A book titled “Manoj Bajpayee: The Definitive Biography” by Piyush Pandey

In the world of celebrity biographies, a new addition stands out for its raw honesty and inspiring narrative. “Manoj Bajpayee: The Definitive Biography” by journalist Piyush Pandey offers readers an intimate look into the life of one of India’s most respected actors.

About the Book

Title: Manoj Bajpayee: The Definitive Biography
Author: Piyush Pandey
Genre: Biography / Bollywood / Indian Cinema

The essence of “Manoj Bajpayee: The Definitive Biography”:

Journey of perseverance: The book primarily focuses on Manoj Bajpayee’s relentless pursuit of his acting dream, despite facing numerous rejections and obstacles. It highlights his journey from a small village in Bihar to becoming a respected actor in Bollywood.
Commitment to craft: The biography emphasizes Bajpayee’s unwavering dedication to the art of acting, often choosing challenging and meaningful roles over commercial success.
Industry insights: It provides a behind-the-scenes look at the workings of Bollywood, especially the challenges faced by outsiders and character actors.
Transformation of Hindi cinema: The book discusses how Bajpayee’s work, especially films like “Satya”, contributed to a shift in Bollywood towards more realistic cinema.
Inspiration for aspiring actors: Bajpayee’s story serves as an inspiration for those from small towns dreaming of a career in films.
Artistic integrity: The biography underscores Bajpayee’s philosophy of working according to his beliefs rather than commercial formulas.
Exploration of iconic roles: It offers detailed accounts of Bajpayee’s most memorable performances and their impact on his career and Hindi cinema.

Smart Cities Mission in India Extended to 2025

Justice Sheel Nagu Appointed Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court_19.1

The Government of India announced a significant extension to one of its flagship urban development initiatives. The Smart Cities Mission, originally set to conclude on June 30, 2024, will now continue until March 31, 2025. This extension marks a crucial phase in India’s journey towards creating technologically advanced and livable urban spaces.

The Smart Cities Vision

Launch and Objectives

The Smart Cities Mission was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 25, 2015. This visionary project aims to revolutionize urban living in India by focusing on three key areas:

Providing core infrastructure
Creating a clean and sustainable environment
Ensuring a decent quality of life for citizens

The mission’s unique approach involves applying ‘smart solutions’ to urban challenges, leveraging technology to improve city services and citizen experiences.

Selection and Scale

In a nationwide competition, 100 cities were chosen to be part of this transformative journey. The selection process, conducted in two stages, ensured a diverse representation of urban centers across India.

Uttar Pradesh leads with 13 smart cities, followed closely by Tamil Nadu with 12, and Maharashtra with 10. This distribution highlights the mission’s commitment to balanced regional development.

Funding: A Collaborative Approach

Central Government’s Commitment

The Smart Cities Mission operates as a centrally sponsored scheme. The central government pledged a substantial Rs 48,000 crore over five years, translating to an average of Rs 100 crore per city per year.

State and Local Contributions

To ensure shared responsibility and commitment, state governments and urban local bodies are required to provide matching contributions. This collaborative funding model encourages local involvement and ownership of the projects.

Implementation Strategy

The mission adopts an innovative approach to project implementation:

Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) are created by urban local bodies to manage projects
Emphasis on Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to leverage private sector expertise and resources

Progress and Extension: The Road Ahead

Achievements So Far

As of July 3, 2024, the Smart Cities Mission has made significant strides:

7,188 projects completed across 100 cities
Total value of completed projects: Rs 1,44,237 crore

Ongoing Projects

830 projects in advanced stages of completion
Value of ongoing projects: Rs 19,926 crore

Financial Status

The central government has released Rs 46,585 crore of the allocated funds, demonstrating its commitment to the mission’s success.

Reasons for Extension

The extension until March 31, 2025, was granted in response to requests from state governments. This decision reflects the government’s dedication to ensuring the successful completion of all sanctioned projects.

Key Points of the Extension

No new projects will be sanctioned
Focus on completing existing projects on a priority basis
Remaining funds to be released to state governments for ongoing projects
State governments must complete all work by the new deadline

The Way Forward

Under the leadership of Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, the Smart Cities Mission enters its final phase. This extension provides an opportunity to:

Consolidate the gains made so far
Address challenges and delays in ongoing projects
Ensure the full realization of the smart city vision in all 100 selected cities

24th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit: Key Highlights

The 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) took place on July 4, 2024, in Astana, Kazakhstan. This important gathering brought together leaders from various countries to discuss regional cooperation and security issues.

Host and Venue

Host: Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
Location: Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan

Notable Attendees

Several world leaders participated in the summit, including:

Russian President Vladimir Putin
Chinese President Xi Jinping
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

India’s Representation

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not attend the summit
India was represented by External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar

Key Developments

1. Belarus Joins SCO

Belarus was admitted as the 10th full member of the SCO
Previously, Belarus held observer status in the organization

2. Focus on Combating Terrorism

Dr. Jaishankar read Prime Minister Modi’s address at the summit
Modi emphasized that terrorism in any form cannot be justified
He called for decisive action against cross-border terrorism
The Prime Minister stressed the need to counter terrorism financing and recruitment

3. SCO Expansion

The SCO was originally established in 2001 with five members
India and Pakistan joined in 2017
Iran became the 9th member in 2023
Belarus is now the 10th member as of 2024

Looking Ahead: 25th SCO Summit

The next SCO Council of Heads of State Meeting will be held in China
China has taken over the rotating presidency of the SCO from Kazakhstan
The Chinese city of Qingdao has been named the SCO’s tourism and cultural capital for 2024-2025

About the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

Purpose

The SCO is an intergovernmental organization focused on regional security and cooperation

Concerns

Some analysts worry that the SCO is becoming an anti-Western alliance led by China and Russia
This may be one reason why Prime Minister Modi chose not to attend the summit

Structure

The Council of Heads of States is the SCO’s highest decision-making body
It meets once a year

Key Facts

Headquarters: Beijing, China
Permanent Members: 10 countries (including the latest addition, Belarus)
Observer Members: Afghanistan and Mongolia