The first conference on military medicine for Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states will be held in New Delhi on 12-13 September.
The conference will be the first military co-operation event hosted by India under the SCO Defence Co-operation Plan 2019-2020 after it joined the SCO in 2017 along with Pakistan.
“The conference will be conducted by the Indian Armed Forces under the aegis of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS), with the aim to share best practices in the field of military medicine, build capacities and overcome common challenges,” the Defence Ministry said.
During the conference, the Indian Armed Forces will also demonstrate the Rapid Action Medical Team and organise a visit for the delegates to the Army Research and Referral Hospital, it added.
“Deliberations will take place between military medicine experts of SCO member-states on rendering of combat medical support, humanitarian assistance during disasters and measures to improve patient safety. The SCO member-states will be represented by senior military medical practitioners,’’ the ministry said.
The SCO is a Eurasian political, economic and security alliance which brings China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan on a common platform. It is not clear whether Pakistan will be represented at the meet in New Delhi, given heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. India’s neighbours and SCO dialogue partners Nepal and Sri Lanka will also be sending their delegations to participate in the conference.
The conference will be preceded by a meeting of the heads of delegations to discuss areas of co-operation in the field of military medicine between SCO member-states.