ThecityofVaranasihasbeennominatedasthefirsteverSCOTourismandCulturalCapitalduringtheperiod20222023atthe22ndMeetingofShanghaiCooperationOrganizationSCOCouncilofHeadsofStateinSamarkandUzbekistanThenominationofVaranasiasthefirsteverSCOTourismandCulturalCapitalwillpromotetourismculturalandhumanitarianexchangesbetweenIndiaandtheSCOmemberCountriesItalsounderlinesIndiasancientcivilizationallinkswithMemberStatesofSCOespeciallytheCentralAsianRepublics