PANAJI: India's External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar today (May 5) sought the solidarity of members to make English the third official language of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

At present, Russian and Mandarin are taken as official and working languages. Dr. Jaishankar said that constructive steps are needed in this regard.

He went on to say that India has initiated an unprecedented engagement with Shanghai Cooperation Organisation observers and dialogue partners by inviting them to participate in more than two dozen social-cultural events.

It is also informed that the foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation member countries are likely to finalise in the day a set of 15 decisions or proposals for the consideration of the grouping's summit in July.

The proposals are targeted at expanding cooperation among the SCO member countries in the areas of trade,  commerce, technology, security and socio-cultural relations.

EAM Jaishankar has appreciated the support of member countries for India's proposal of creation of two new working groups on startups and innovation and traditional medicines. He also met SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming and appreciated his support for India's SCO Presidency and added that it is driven by a commitment to secure the SCO.

The 2-day meeting of Foreign Ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation members commeced in Panaji, Goa on Thursday, with Jaishankar also holding meetings with his counterparts. The minsiter laid down the key focus areas, including startups, traditional medicine, youth empowerment, Buddhist heritage and science & technology.

Set up in June 15, 2001 in Shanghai, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation originally comprised Russia,  Kyrgyzstan, China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan became members subsequently.

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