Varanasi declared as the first tourism and cultural capital of SCO [TKB World]

Varanasi, the holy city that showcases India’s culture and tradition, has been declared the first tourism and cultural capital of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). SCO member countries on Friday acknowledged Varanasi as the organization’s first tourism and cultural capital for the year 2022-23 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said this in a media briefing.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the SCO summit held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. After this success came on Varanasi’s part, Kwatra said that Prime Minister Modi thanked all the member countries for supporting Varanasi as the first tourism and cultural capital of the SCO during the coming year 2022-23.

Under this, several programs will be organized in Varanasi in 2022-23, in which guests from SCO member states will be invited to participate. Indologists, scholars, writers, musicians and artists, photojournalists, bloggers and other guests will be invited to these events. Along with this, there will be a boost in strengthening the relations between SCO countries and India.

The Foreign Secretary said that many programs will be organized in Varanasi by the Uttar Pradesh government in collaboration with the Centre. Kwatra said the SCO has also decided to set up a special working group on start-ups and innovations on India’s initiative. Along with this, it was also decided to give permanent membership of SCO to Belarus and Iran in the summit.

The SCO was established in 2001 in Shanghai by the presidents of Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Whereas in 2017 India and Pakistan became its permanent members.