The annual summit of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation – SCO will begin in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan tomorrow. Heads of six member countries of the SCO , namely China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgzstan, Russia, Tajikisthan and Uzbekistan will take part in the two – day summit and deliberate on matters of mutual interest including security and economy in Central Asia. <br/><br/>India and Pakistan which so far served as Observers in the SCO are set to join as its full members and a formal announcement is expected during the summit. SCO's last summit was held at Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan in 2016. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will leave for Astana tomorrow to take part in SCO summit. <br/><br/>With a modest beginning in 1996, SCO has emerged as a key player in geo politics of Central Asia over the years. AIR correspondent reports that first established as Shanghai Five in 1996 and later renamed as Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, SCO gained international recognition as a platform for cooperation between member states on issues of mutual interest. <br/><br/>The United nations has described the SCO as an essential organisation addressing the security in the region in all its dimensions. Though its initial aim was to ensure peace and security in the region by keeping a check on western groups like the NATO, SCO has expanded its role to trade and commerce, education, culture and humanitarian spheres over the years.<br/><br/>The group is currently focussing on enhancing e bilateral cooperation among its member countries while making efforts to tackle global issues such cross border terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking.