Varanasi nominated as first SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital

The city of Varanasi has been nominated as the first-ever SCO Tourist and Cultural Capital for the period 2022-2023, at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Samarkand on September 16.

Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said at a media interaction about the summit, that the befitting recognition of the historic city of Varanasi opens the door for great culture and people-to-people ties between India and the region. "PM Modi thanked all the members states of the SCO for endorsing Varanasi (Kashi) as the first-ever SCO tourist and cultural capital during the upcoming year 2022-23," Kwatra said.