The 18th Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization—arguably one of the biggest diplomatic jamborees in the region—will be going ahead in Qingdao, China on Saturday without Nepal, a dialogue partner of the organisation.

Besides Chinese President Xi Jinping, other world leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have confirmed their participation in the summit.

Nepal had expected invitation to participate in the summit.

“There are different segments in the summit and probably this time there is no suitable forum for Nepal as a dialogue partner,” said officials.

In 2015, Nepal was granted the status of a dialogue partner of the organisation that has emerged as an influential Eurasian political, economic and military bloc.

Leaders of the eight SCO member states and four observer states, as well as heads of international organisations are expected to attend the summit to exchange their views on cooperation, the organisers said in a statement.

“That is why dialogue partners are not invited,” said a source.

Nepal was also not invited to Boao Asia Summit in Boao in China earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali is leaving for Mongolia on Saturday to participate in the Inaugural Intergovernmental Meeting of the International Think Tank for LLDCs.

Nepal has committed to be a part of the think tank and contributed $10,000 for the purpose.

Apart from attending the LDCs meeting, it is also planned to set up a consultative mechanism between Nepal and Mongolia.

Some Foreign Ministry officials and Nepali Ambassador to China, who also looks after Mongolia affairs, will be invited to sign the agreement on the consultative mechanism.    

Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Yu Hong on Thursday  called on Foreign Minister Gyawali to discuss the agenda and itinerary of the scheduled state visit of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to China.

PM Oli embarks on a five-day visit to China on June 19.