New Delhi, Sep 15 At the invitation of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for a 24-hour visit to Samarkand, Uzbekistan to participate in the 22nd meeting of the Council of the Heads of State of the SCO.
SCO is a regional multilateral organization that has eight member states namely India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and the host of the SCO chair Uzbekistan.
Since joining SCO as a full member, India has been making positive contributions to the SCO processes, deliberations and its outcomes.
Prime Minister will arrive in Samarkand later this evening.
Before leaving Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted “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. Under the Uzbek Chairship, a number of decisions for mutual cooperation are likely to be adopted in areas of trade, economy, culture and tourism.”
Leaving for Samarkand, Uzbekistan to attend the SCO Summit, which will witness exchange of views on a wide range of regional and global issues. https://t.co/pmA3n8JsKQ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 15, 2022
The current SCO Summit is expected to cover topical regional and international issues; reform and expansion of SCO; the security situation in the region; our cooperation perspective in the region including strengthening connectivity as well as boosting trade and tourism in the region. Samarkand declaration and numerous other documents are expected to be finalized during the summit. They are currently under consideration of the SCO member countries.
Prime Minister will also hold bilateral meetings with the President of Uzbekistan and some other leaders on the sidelines of the summit.
While briefing media persons, Vinay Kwatra, Foreign Secretary said “PM’s participation in this summit is a reflection of the importance that India attaches to the SCO and its goals. This is also tied to our approach and engagement with the region as a whole. We remain focused on strengthening our linkages with Central Asia and the extended neighbourhood. And this visit will take that vision and that perspective forward.”