PM Modi to meet Putin, Iran's Pezeshkian at SCO Summit in Bishkek today

Prime Minister PM Narendra Modi is set to hold bilateral meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCO Summit in Bishkek Kyrgyzstan on MondayModi arrived in Bishkek on Sunday August 30 to participate in the 26th SCO Leadership Summit which brings together 10 member states 15 partner countries and two observer countries to advance dialogue and cooperation on regional and global issuesPutin and Pezeshkian are also expected to hold separate bilateral talks during the summit Russia and Iran have deepened their military and economic ties since the 2022 RussianUkraine War while the two countries remain among the most sanctioned states in the worldThe Bishkek summit comes as SCO members navigate the Ukraine and Iran conflicts as well as trade tensions involving the United States The grouping which is marking its 25th anniversary this year brings together Russia China India Pakistan Iran four Central Asian countries and Moscowallied BelarusChinese President Xi Jinping and Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif are also due to take part in the plenary session chaired by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov Turkeys Recep Tayyip Erdogan is also expected to attend though his country is not a formal member of the SCOThe SCO has historically focused on economic issues but has gained momentum in recent years under Moscow and Beijings leadership The grouping has 10 members 15 dialogue partners including Turkey Saudi Arabia and Qatar and two observer countries Afghanistan and MongoliaAccording to the MEA PM Modi is also scheduled to hold a number of bilateral meetings with other leaders on the sidelines of the summitModi pays tribute to Gandhi interacts with Indian community in BishkekAhead of his participation in the summit PM Modi on Monday paid tribute to MK Gandhi at his memorial in BishkekThe statue was unveiled by PM Modi during his visit to Kyrgyzstan in 2015PM Modi also met and interacted with members of the Indian community in BishkekPM Modis Uzbekistan visitModis arrival in Bishkek marks the second leg of his twocountry visit after concluding his State Visit to Uzbekistan where he held extensive talks with Uzbek President Shavkat MirziyoyevDuring the Uzbekistan visit India and Uzbekistan elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and agreed to expand cooperation across trade and investment infrastructure digital public infrastructure Artificial Intelligence critical minerals energy space agriculture healthcare pharmaceuticals education and cultureThe two countries also set an ambitious target of increasing bilateral trade to USD 5 billion by 2030 with a focus on improving market access connectivity and banking and payment systemsBefore leaving Tashkent PM Modi thanked President Mirziyoyev for the hospitality extended to him during the visitThank you Uzbekistan Gratitude to President Mirziyoyev for his warmth attention to detail and personal commitment to the IndiaUzbekistan friendship PM Modi saidDuring his State Visit PM Modi also paid a floral tribute to former PM Lal Bahadur Shastri at the Shastri Memorial in TashkentPaid homage to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri Ji in Tashkent We remember a towering statesman whose unwavering commitment to the nation continues to inspire generations he saidWith ANI and AFP inputs