TASHKENT: Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with leaders of SCO nations including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sarif, and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev are participating in the 22nd SCO Summit at Samarkand in Uzbekistan.
The leaders are expected to review the grouping’s activities over the past two decades and discuss the prospects of multilateral cooperation. They will discuss topical, regional and international issues, including regional peace and security, trade and connectivity, culture and tourism. Besides leaders of SCO member states, observer states, the Secretary General of the SCO, Executive Director of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), President of Turkmenistan and other invited guests are attending the meet.
The PM Modi reached Uzbekistan last night. He was received by Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov at the airport. India has been working closely with Uzbekistan towards the success of their Chairship. On the sidelines of the SCO Summit, Prime Minister Modi will hold informal meetings with a number of leaders on matters of mutual interest. He will also take part in bilateral meetings scheduled to be held after the summit with Russia, Uzbekistan and Iran.
According to the Russian Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov, during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, deliberations will be held on defence cooperation and military supplies. The two leaders are expected to discuss the International North-South Transport Corridor, bilateral trade and trade with Central Asian countries, Cooperation within the UN and G-20, Strategic stability and the situation in the Indo-Pacific region. The Prime Minister will also hold bilateral meetings with the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.