PM Modi leaves for Uzbekistan to attend SCO summit today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will leave on a two-day visit to Uzbekistan today to attend to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tashkent.

The Prime Minister will also hold multi-lateral talks with the Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Uzbekistan's President Islam Karimov on the sidelines of the summit. India will sign a memorandum of obligations in the process of becoming a full-fledged member of the Organisation.

India will become a full member of the SCO, after signing 30 other documents and it will happen as the year goes by. The membership will provide India an opportunity to have extended cooperation with members of the grouping including China and Pakistan.

Secretary (West) in External Affairs Ministry, Sujata Mehta said India is also keen on deepening its security ­related cooperation with the SCO and its Regional Anti ­Terrorism Structure (RATS), which specifically deals with issues relating to security and defence.

The meeting of the Prime Minister with Chinese President assumes



significance in the backdrop of India's attempts to get the membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

India's association with Shanghai Cooperation Organisation dates back to 2005 when it had an observer status. India sees an approach of fairly flexible multi lateralism in becoming the member of the organisation. The decision to become a member was taken last year after Prime Minister's outreach in BRICS summit.

India's presence in the extended neighbourhood has been raising to higher levels as it has become a major player in a wide range of areas. Cooperation on the part of the security,energy and anti terrorism is also on the agenda. 

Ahead of his visit, the Prime Minister said on twitter last night that he is looking forward to fruitful outcomes at the Summit particularly in the field of economic co-operation. 

He said, India attaches great importance to its relations with Central Asia and always seeks to expand economic and people-to-people ties with the region. 

Mr Modi said, India is glad to be a member of SCO.