On May 24, 2026, during his official visit to India SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev visited Patna, the capital of the state of Bihar, where he met with the state's Governor, Syed Ata Hasnain.

The parties discussed the current state and prospects of interregional cooperation within the SCO space, the development of new tourist routes and destinations, including religious tourism, the implementation of joint cultural and humanitarian projects, the expansion of academic ties, and the exchange of experience in the fields of practical cooperation. It was noted that Bihar, as the cradle of world Buddhism, could make a significant contribution to the development of cooperation among the Organization's member states in this area.

The Secretary-General provided information on the formats and mechanisms of interaction within the SCO that could be of interest to regional authorities, including the Forum of Heads of Regions, the institution of twin cities, meetings of heads of national tourism administrations, and others.

встреча Генсека с губернатором

During his trip to the state of Bihar, the Secretary-General will also deliver an open lecture at Nalanda University.

The state of Bihar is located in eastern India, in the Ganges River Valley. Its administrative center is the city of Patna. Bihar covers an area of approximately 94,000 square kilometers and is the second most populous state in the country (with about 140 million people).

The state is home to a number of important cultural and spiritual heritage sites, including the ruins of the ancient Buddhist university of Nalanda.