The SCO is conducting its first in-person meeting in Uzbekistan after two years. The conference will also include Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived Thursday to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) conference, which will discuss regional security problems, commerce, and energy sources. After two years, the SCO is convening its first in-person summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The conference will also include Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
PM Modi is also likely to have bilateral talks with Putin and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev outside of the main conference.
In a pre-departure statement, Modi said he looked forward to sharing perspectives on topical, regional, and international problems; the growth of SCO; and further enhancing diversified and mutually beneficial collaboration within the organisation.
“A lot of decisions for bilateral collaboration are expected to be implemented in commerce, economy, culture, and tourism under the Uzbek chairship,” he added.
PM Modi said he was looking forward to seeing President Mirziyoyev.
“I warmly remember his India trip in 2018. He attended the 2019 Vibrant Gujarat Summit as a Guest of Honor. I’ll also conduct bilateral discussions with other leaders during the conference,” Modi stated.
There is no confirmation of his probable bilateral with Xi.
When asked if Modi and Xi will meet separately outside of the summit, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra responded, “We will keep you fully informed when the PM’s itinerary of bilateral talks develops.”
Shehbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, is also attending.
He also said that the Prime Minister’s presence showed how important India is to the SCO and its goals.
The eight countries are getting together because the Russian invasion of Ukraine and China’s aggressive military moves in the Taiwan Strait are causing more and more trouble in the world.
According to Russian and Iranian media, Modi will meet separately with Putin and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.
The SCO summit in Samarkand will feature two sessions—one limited session for SCO member states and an extended session for observers and special invitees of the host nation.
Launched in Shanghai in June 2001, the SCO comprises eight full members, including its six founding members: China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan joined as full members in 2017.
Also read: All you need to know about the SCO summit 2022 in Samarkand
