NEW DELHI: Ahead of the SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he’s looking 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, which continue to threaten peace and stability in India’s neighbourhood and beyond. PM Modi arrived in Uzbekistan Saturday for the first leg of his two-nation Central Asia tour that will also see him travelling to Bishkek for the Eurasian bloc heads of state summit early next week.PM Modi’s remarks in his departure statement again underlined India’s position that one of the original mandates of SCO, which includes Pakistan, was to fight the so-called three evils – terrorism, separatism and extremism.At the summit, PM Modi is also likely to reiterate that while India backs regional connectivity initiatives, these must align with the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all member states.
Will discuss trade and investment with Uzbek President, says Modi
PM Modi said, “I am confident that this visit will strengthen India’s strategic partnerships in Central Asia, deepen our civilisational connect with the region, and advance our shared pursuit of peace, stability and prosperity, values that lie at the heart of India’s engagement with the world,” ahead of his departure for Tashkent. At the invitation of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, PM Modi is on a two-day state visit to Tashkent.“In recent years, India-Uzbekistan Strategic Partnership has seen significant advancement. I look forward to my discussions with President Mirziyoyev on further deepening our cooperation in trade and investment, digital connectivity, defence, energy, and on advancing our shared visions of Viksit Bharat and Yangi Uzbekistan,” said Modi, who was welcomed by the Uzbek President at the airport.“I will also visit the Shastri Memorial and the Mahatma Gandhi Centre at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, a tribute to the close cultural and people-to-people ties that bind our two countries,” he added. On his arrival in Tashkent, Modi participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at Yangi Uzbekistan Park and attended a dinner hosted for him by Mirziyoyev. PM will participate in a yoga programme on Sunday morning before his bilateral talks with President.
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PM also said that at the invitation of Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Zhaparov, he will travel to Bishkek to participate in the 26th SCO summit, marking 25 years of the “important organisation”. “India has been an active and constructive member of the SCO since 2017,” said PM, whose bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the margins of the summit has already been confirmed by the Union ministry of external affairs.
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