Sushma Swaraj attends Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tajikistan

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tajikistan's capital Dushanbe.

She had arrived in Dushanbe yesterday to attend the two-day summit.

The summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) aims at boosting cooperation in the three major fields of economy, security and people-to-people exchanges.

Tajikistan is hosting the 13th annual summit for all member countries with security being its priority.

Countries like India, Iran, Pakistan and Mongolia are due to become full participating members of the summit, thereby upgrading their observer member status.

Recently, Swaraj had also visited Afghanistan where she had met Afghan President Hamid Karzai , ahead of the declaration of the results of the disputed second round of presidential elections in the nation.

Swaraj and Karzai held talks on a wide range of issues, including the political and security situation in the country, which has been ravaged by war in recent times. She also met Afghan Foreign Minister Zarar Ahmad.

Swaraj also inaugurated the new building of the Indian embassy in Kabul, which features an integrated security system. Built at a cost of USD 40 million, the building spreads over five acres and is located close to the Afghan Foreign Ministry.