Bishkek to host Modi-Xi-Putin meeting; PM heads to SCO summit, receives warm welcome in Uzbekistan

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit to be held in Kyrgyzstan’s capital Bishkek tomorrow and the day after. Modi’s meetings with the world leaders are expected to play an important role in strengthening diplomatic ties.

During his meeting with Xi Jinping, efforts to maintain peace and stability along the India-China border are expected to be discussed. Cooperation in trade, economy, science and technology is likely to be the key focus of Modi’s talks with Putin.

Meanwhile, Modi received a warm welcome in Uzbekistan, which maintains close ties with China. During his meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the two leaders are expected to discuss ways to expand trade relations. Modi will travel to Kyrgyzstan tomorrow.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had recently met Russian President Putin in Moscow, while National Security Adviser Ajit Doval travelled to Beijing and met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will also attend the summit. Given the situation following Operation Sindoor, whether Modi and Sharif will meet is being closely watched. Pakistan will host next year’s SCO summit. India has said it will decide at an appropriate time whether Modi will attend.

Putin and Xi Jinping may also visit Delhi for the BRICS summit scheduled for September 12 and 13.

Key issues likely to be discussed in Bishkek

1. The situation in West Asia
2. Security challenges
3. The Russia-Ukraine conflict
4. The proposed Turkey-Saudi Arabia-Pakistan ‘Islamic NATO’ alliance
5. Terrorism, drug trafficking and border security in Afghanistan
6. Development of the International North-South Transport Corridor connecting St Petersburg in Russia with Mumbai

India targets $3 billion trade with Uzbekistan

India is looking to expand cooperation with Uzbekistan in trade, investment, digital connectivity, defence and energy. The target is to double bilateral trade from $1.5 billion to $3 billion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm welcome after arriving in Tashkent, the Uzbek capital. He is also scheduled to visit the Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial and the Mahatma Gandhi Centre at Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies.

“It is important to end terrorism and separatism, which continue to pose a threat to peace and stability. We will work together with the countries of Central Asia.”
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking before his departure