SCO: PM Modi Arrives in India, Held Series Of Bilateral Arrangements

PM Modi was greeted by Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev

Ahead of the successful completion of the regional summit of the 22nd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Samarkand, Prime Minister Modi safely arrived earlier this morning. PM Modi held a series of bilateral and multilateral engagements.

PM Modi was greeted by the host country Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev upon his arrival in Samarkand. On the sidelines of the summit, PM Modi held bilateral meetings with several SCO member countries.

During his visit, Prime Minister Modi met Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and discussed wide-ranging bilateral relations with him. The two leaders reviewed the progress in the development of Chabahar Port. They also discussed international and regional developments, including Afghanistan.

Moreover, Prime Minister held a bilateral meeting with the President of Uzbekistan Mirziyoyev. The two leaders discussed regional, and global issues as well as other topics of mutual interest. Regional issues, including Afghanistan, were also discussed where they stressed that the territory of Afghanistan should not be used for terrorist activities.

Before this, Prime Minister met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders discussed the Ukraine-Russia conflict and Putin told PM Modi that he was aware of India's position on the Ukraine conflict. The two leaders agreed that India and Russia had had close relations for several decades which is like a privileged strategic partnership and they continue to develop very rapidly.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and exchanged views on regional and global developments. The two leaders reviewed the bilateral relations and discussed ways to deepen cooperation in diverse sectors. They also appreciated the recent gains in bilateral trade.

Ahead of the summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and other leaders also posed for a group photograph.

As India will be the next chair of the SCO, Russian President Putin congratulated India for assuming the presidency the following year.

Apart from the Russian President, Chinese President Xi Jinping also congratulated India for the SCO Presidency in 2023 during the meeting of the expanded circle of the Heads of SCO.