PM Narendra Modi arrives in Samarkand, Uzbekistan to participate in SCO Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Samarkand, Uzbekistan to participate in Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit today. On the sidelines of 22nd Summit of the SCO Council of Heads of State, Mr. 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 President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The SCO Summit is expected to cover various topical, regional and international issues including reforms and expansion



of the Organisation, security situation in the region, India's cooperation with countries of the region, ways to strengthen connectivity and boost trade and tourism. 

The summit will conclude with the signing of the Samarkand Declaration. Numerous other documents are also expected to be ratified during the Summit.

India, which is currently the chair of the SCO’s Regional Anti-terrorism Structure, is keen on boosting counter-terror cooperation with other SCO states. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation currently comprises eight full-time members. Several like minded countries have expressed interest in joining the SCO. Iran is expected to be awarded full-fledged member status during the summit while the candidature of Belarus will be formally considered.

The summit is important for India as it will assume the rotational Presidency of the SCO at the end of the Samarkand Summit. Delhi will hold the Presidency of the grouping for a year until September 2023. So, next year, India will host the SCO summit.