PM Modi Meets Putin At SCO Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The meeting is scheduled to take place during Modi's visit to the Kyrgyz Republic from August 31 to September 1.

Modi was invited by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov to participate in the SCO summit. According to MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George, the meeting between Modi and Putin will review the entire gamut of the bilateral relationship between India and Russia.

During his stay in Bishkek, Modi will also attend the inauguration of the Sixth World Nomad Games, along with other SCO member state leaders. The programme for the Leaders' Summit includes a welcome dinner on August 31, followed by the Summit plenary on the next day, where Modi will deliver his remarks.

Before his visit to Kyrgyzstan, Modi will travel to Uzbekistan from August 29 to 30, following an invitation from Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. This will be his fourth visit to Uzbekistan, where India and Uzbekistan have maintained extensive engagements in bilateral and multilateral formats.

India and Uzbekistan elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership in 2011, and since then, bilateral relations have expanded substantially across various areas. The visit is expected to further strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

The SCO summit is a significant platform for India to engage with other member states, including Russia, China, and Pakistan. The meeting between Modi and Putin is expected to discuss various bilateral and regional issues.

The visit of PM Modi to Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan is a part of India's efforts to strengthen its ties with Central Asian countries. The region is strategically important for India, and the visit is expected to enhance India's engagement with the region.

In conclusion, the meeting between PM Modi and Putin, along with the SCO summit, is a significant event in the diplomatic calendar. It is expected to strengthen the bilateral relationship between India and Russia, and enhance India's engagement with the Central Asian region.