Bishkek: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the Yrys Ordo Congress Hall in Bishkek on Tuesday to attend the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, bringing together leaders of the grouping's member states and invited countries.The summit is being hosted by Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Zhaparov and marks the 25th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. India has been a full member of the SCO since 2017.Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin were also among the leaders attending the summit in Bishkek.
India to highlight security, connectivity and opportunity
Modi is expected to underline India's priorities of security, connectivity and opportunity in his address to the summit.India has consistently called for stronger cooperation against terrorism, separatism and extremism. New Delhi has also emphasised that connectivity projects should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries involved.The Prime Minister is also expected to focus on opportunities for young people and the potential of India's startup ecosystem to contribute to regional economic cooperation.
Modi holds bilateral meetings on summit sidelines
The SCO gathering comes after a series of bilateral engagements by Modi during his visit to Kyrgyzstan.On Monday, Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bishkek. The two leaders reviewed bilateral cooperation across areas including trade, defence, energy, space and mobility, besides discussing regional and global issues, including the conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region.Modi also met Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov and discussed progress in India-Kyrgyzstan relations, including economic and commercial cooperation and people-to-people ties.
The Prime Minister has also held discussions with other regional leaders on the sidelines of the summit.SCO summit comes amid major regional challenges
The 26th SCO Summit is taking place against the backdrop of continuing geopolitical tensions, including conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region, which have also affected maritime trade and the safety of Indian seafarers.For India, the summit provides an opportunity to engage simultaneously with major powers and Central Asian partners on security, connectivity, trade and regional stability.The SCO currently has 10 full member countries, with India, China, Russia, Pakistan and the Central Asian states among its members. The summit also includes partner and observer participation.Modi's participation is part of his two-day Kyrgyzstan visit, following his state visit to Uzbekistan. He is scheduled to address the summit as India sets out its priorities for cooperation within the regional grouping.
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