In his first international engagement after a thumping victory in the General Elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be heading to Bishkek for Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit (SCO) from June 13-14.

The SCO includes China, Russia, India, and Pakistan and countries of Central Asia including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan who have been focusing on fighting terrorism, separatism, and extremism. India and Pakistan had become full members of the grouping in 2017.

“For India, the issue of terrorism and developments in Afghanistan would be the key priority. The threat of ISIS to the region and mechanisms to counter terrorism is likely to be discussed,” says Prof Rajan Kumar, JNU.

At the summit bilateral issues between India and Pakistan won’t be a priority. “India and China may also raise the issue of US sanctions on Iran, and the way it will impact the countries of the SCO,” he says.

Besides the leaders of all the member states, on the sidelines Modi is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.