On February 27, in Shanghai, India’s Consul General, Pratik Mathur, met with the city’s Mayor, Gong Zheng, during the inauguration of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Cooperation Centre for Metabolic Diseases. This event reinforced ongoing efforts to bolster India-China relations. The meeting occurred amid the formal celebrations marking the centre’s establishment, which aims to enhance healthcare collaboration between member nations under the SCO framework.

Progress in Bilateral Relations

During their discussion, Mayor Gong highlighted the positive trajectory of bilateral relations, especially in the wake of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China for the Tianjin SCO Summit last August. He emphasised the significance of the recently resumed direct air travel between Shanghai and various cities in India, characterising it as a promising development for both nations.

Consul General Mathur expressed gratitude towards Chinese leadership and conveyed India’s aspirations for further cooperation. He pointed out that the advancements made in bilateral relations could significantly benefit collaboration within multilateral platforms, notably the SCO and BRICS. The Indian delegation also conveyed its plans to host the BRICS Leaders’ Summit later this year, affirming that invigorated bilateral interactions would yield mutual advantages at both regional and global levels.

Healthcare and Multilateral Engagement

The interaction was encapsulated in a message shared via X, stating “United for a Healthy Future,” which reflects the focus on health cooperation and the commitment to multilateral engagement. This initiative underscores the importance of joint efforts in addressing health challenges across member nations of the SCO.

Earlier in September, during the SCO Members Session in Tianjin, Prime Minister Modi articulated a new mantra for India: “Reform, Perform and Transform.” He encouraged SCO members to join in India’s development journey. Modi emphasized that the trajectory of India’s progress turns challenges into opportunities and is rooted in a vision for the SCO focused on three key pillars: Security, Connectivity, and Opportunity.

Significance of Security and Cultural Dialogue

In his address during the 25th meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State in Tianjin, Modi stressed the vital role of security, peace, and stability in fostering growth among member countries. He also highlighted India’s efforts to connect with Afghanistan and Central Asia and proposed the establishment of a Civilisational Dialogue Forum to celebrate and share the cultural dimensions of SCO member states.

As a dedicated and engaged member of the SCO, India has continuously worked towards promoting the organisation’s objectives. Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to advancing the priorities of the SCO, guided by the principles of security, connectivity, and opportunity, ensuring a constructive and cooperative approach in the region.

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