Islamabad: The Expert Working Group (EWG) of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) completed its two-day discussions on international and regional security and efforts to preserve peace and stability, Dawn reported.

“The 9th Defence and Security Expert Working Group (EWG) meeting of SCO was held at Islamabad from 19-20 February 2020,” the ISPR said in a statement on the first meeting of the SCO framework for defence and security cooperation hosted by Pakistan, which joined the bloc in 2017.

“The participating countries besides Pakistan as a host included China, Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and India, whereas Belarus attended the meeting as the observer state,” the ISPR said.

Pakistan and India last year, despite their intense rivalry and disputes, together participated in Tsentr-2019 military exercises in Russia.

“The forum discussed different aspects of cooperation between the SCO member states and regional security. The participants also exchanged information and opinions on important issues of mutual interest including joint training and military exercises,” the ISPR further said.