PM Modi to address plenary session of SCO Summit today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the plenary session of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit at Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan today. Mr Modi will present his vision for regional cooperation and development. 

The two-day SCO Summit began yesterday in Bishkek. On the sidelines of the summit, Prime Minister will hold bilateral talks with Presidents of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Belarus and Iran today. India and Kyrgyzstan will also sign a number of agreements after the delegation level talks. Mr Modi will also jointly inaugurate the India-Kyrgyz Business Forum. 

Yesterday evening, Mr Modi held bilateral talks with Presidents of China, Russia and Afghanistan. Prime Minister's first engagement in Bishkek was the bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. 

During their meeting, Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping reviewed the bilateral relations and agreed to take them to the next level. The Prime Minister said, both the countries have improved the strategic communication which resulted in resolving a wide range of issues. 

Mr Modi also reaffirmed his stand on Pakistan that it needs to create a terror-free atmosphere before any meaningful dialogue. Prime Minister said, Pakistan needs to take concrete action on the issues that India has proposed and India does not see it happening at this stage. 

Briefing media persons after the talks, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said that the issue was discussed between the two leaders and Prime Minister informed the Chinese President that India’s position is consistent on the issue to resolve all the issues through the bilateral mechanism. 

Mr Gokhale said the meeting was held in a warm and cordial atmosphere and a wide



range of issues discussed during the meeting. He said, the Chinese President again congratulated Prime Minister Modi for his re-election in general election. President Xi said this reflects the aspirations and trust of the people of India placed in Prime Minister Modi.

Prime Minister Modi also held bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Foreign Secretary said Prime Minister Modi will attend Eastern Economic Forum to be held in early September at Vladivostok in Russia. Mr Gokhale said the Eastern Economic Forum meeting will be followed by India-Russia Annual bilateral summit.

At the bilateral meeting, Prime Minister Modi said, in order to make the participation in the Forum meaningful, India will send a business delegation and representatives of three Indian states to Vladivostok and Russian Far East prior to his visit. 

The Foreign Secretary said, Russian Far East is extremely resourceful and the Prime Minister also recognized it as a new area for cooperation. Both the leaders also reviewed trade and business relations and noted that these are on an upward trajectory. 

Showing interest in the modernization of Indian Railways, the Russian President said, they will study the upgradation of Nagpur-Sikandarabad line. Prime Minister Modi also thanked Russian President Putin for successful implementation of defence manufacturing project in Amethi under the Make in India initiative.

Prime Minister Modi also met Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. The two leaders discussed the role being played by India towards an inclusive peace process in Afghanistan. In a tweet, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, Mr Modi and Mr Ghani shared perspectives on the situation in Afghanistan.