India's FM leaves for Russia to participate in SCO meeting

NEW DELHI, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- India's foreign minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday left for Russia to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting.

The two-day SCO summit will begin Thursday in Sochi, the Russian city on the Black Sea.

"Sushma Swaraj today left for Sochi, Russia to participate in the SCO council of heads of government meeting -- home to 42 per cent of world's population and 20 percent of its GDP," an official spokesman said.

Officials said during the summit issues related to regional security scenario are likely to be discussed.

In June, India and Pakistan became a full-fledged members of the grouping.

On the sidelines of the summit, Swaraj will also have bilateral meetings with several leaders, officials said.

SCO now comprises eight member States, namely Pakistan, China, Russia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. It has four observer states, namely Iran, Afghanistan, Belarus and Mongolia and six dialogue partners, namely Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Turkey. Enditem