Current Context : External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reached Astana in Kazakhstan to lead the Indian delegation at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

ABOUT SCO

• It is an influential economic and security bloc that has emerged as one of the largest transregional international organisations.
• Established in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
• It comprises India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
• HQ : Beijing , China.

ABOUT ASTANA / KAZAKHSTAN

• Astana, formerly known as Nur-Sultan is the capital city of Kazakhstan.
• The city lies on the banks of the Ishim River in the north-central part of
• Kazakhstan, a Central Asian country and former Soviet republic.
• Currency: Kazakhstani Tenge
• Language: Kazakh