Bishkek: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, for the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, where leaders of the organisation's member states are gathering for discussions on regional and international issues.
Modi arrived in the Kyrgyz capital on Sunday, August 30, after completing a two day state visit to Uzbekistan. He was received at Manas International Airport by Adylbek Kasymaliev, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Head of the Presidential Administration of Kyrgyzstan.
Modi is visiting Kyrgyzstan at the invitation of President Sadyr Japarov. His visit is centred on the SCO summit, which is being held from August 31 to September 1.
The main meeting of SCO heads of state is scheduled for September 1. The summit marks 25 years since the establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
Modi is expected to address the summit and highlight India's priorities of security, connectivity and opportunity. The Indian government has said he will also hold bilateral meetings with SCO leaders on the sidelines of the summit.
The gathering brings together leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
For India, the summit provides an opportunity to engage directly with major partners and neighbouring countries. Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with several leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov.
Modi is also expected to meet Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Bishkek. The meeting would take place against the background of continuing tensions in West Asia and Iran's role as a full member of the SCO.
The presence of Xi, Putin and Modi at the same summit is also significant for India China and India Russia relations. India and China have been working to stabilise their relations following tensions along their disputed Himalayan border. Senior officials from the two countries have continued discussions on the border and wider bilateral relations.
Modi and Xi are both attending the summit, but any formal bilateral meeting between the two leaders should be reported only after it is officially confirmed.
Russia remains an important partner for India in areas including defence, trade and energy. Modi's planned meeting with Putin comes as the two countries continue their long standing strategic relationship.
The SCO has expanded considerably since it was established in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan became full members in 2017, followed by Iran in 2023 and Belarus in 2024.
The organisation now has 10 member states. Afghanistan and Mongolia have observer status, while several other countries participate as dialogue partners.
Armenia, which is taking part in the wider SCO meetings, is a dialogue partner of the organisation and is not a full member. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is expected to participate in the SCO Plus meeting in Bishkek.
The summit is being held under Kyrgyzstan's presidency of the SCO and is focused on cooperation among member states. Security, connectivity, economic cooperation and regional stability are among the areas of importance to the organisation.
Modi's programme in Bishkek also includes activities outside the summit. He is scheduled to attend the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games, which celebrates the cultural heritage of Central Asia.
During his visit, Modi has also interacted with members of the Indian community in Bishkek and paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Park.
The Bishkek summit comes as the SCO marks its 25th anniversary and brings together countries with different political interests and relationships with the major powers.
For India, the summit provides an opportunity for direct engagement with major partners and neighbouring countries as leaders discuss regional security, connectivity and cooperation.