Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kyrgyzstan on Sunday to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit and hold a series of bilateral meetings on its sidelines. He is visiting the country at the invitation of President Sadyr Zhaparov for the 26th SCO Summit, scheduled for August 31 and September 1.
Modi is also expected to meet several SCO leaders during the visit, including Kyrgyz President Zhaparov and Russian President Vladimir Putin. He will attend the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games as part of his programme.
The prime minister was received at the airport by Kasymaliev Adylbek Aleshovich, chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers. A traditional Kyrgyz dance performance was also held at the airport to welcome him.
The SCO, a 10-member grouping, is marking 25 years of the organisation. It was founded in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan joined as full members in 2017, followed by Iran in 2023 and Belarus in 2024.
In his departure statement on Saturday, Modi said he looked forward to advancing India’s vision for the region, anchored in “security, connectivity and opportunity, and to working with fellow members for a region free from the scourge of terrorism, separatism and extremism”. “I also look forward to meeting President Zhaparov and other SCO leaders,” he said.
The prime minister said the visit would strengthen India’s strategic partnerships in Central Asia, deepen its civilisational connect with the region, and advance a shared pursuit of peace, stability and prosperity. Overall, the visit is centred on the SCO summit, bilateral meetings with regional leaders and wider engagement with Central Asia.
With PTI Inputs
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