iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
Amidst growing warmth with the US government, prime minister Narendra Modi is likely to meet Russian president Vladimir Putin in Uzbekistan and discuss issues related to trade and geopolitics. Modi reached Uzbekistan on Thursday to attend the two-day Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Headquartered in Beijing, the SCO is an eight-member economic and security bloc that includes China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, and Pakistan.
Before departing for Uzbekistan, Modi tweeted from his official Twitter handle: “Leaving for Samarkand, Uzbekistan to attend the SCO Summit, which will witness exchange of views on a wide range of regional and global issues.”
In a statement issued by Modi through the Prime Minister’s Office, he said: “I will be visiting Samarkand at the invitation of President of Uzbekistan H.E. Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev to attend the Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).”
“At the SCO Summit, I look forward to exchanging views on topical, regional and international issues, the expansion of SCO, and on further deepening of multifaceted and mutually beneficial cooperation within the Organization.”
He said that a number of decisions for mutual cooperation are likely to be adopted in areas of trade, economy, culture, and tourism. “I also look forward to meeting President Mirziyoyev in Samarkand. I fondly recall his visit to India in 2018. He also graced the Vibrant Gujarat Summit as its Guest of Honour in 2019. In addition, I will hold bilateral meetings with some of the other leaders attending the Summit,” he added.
