Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a packed day of diplomatic engagements in Bishkek on Monday, August 31, ahead of the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit, with bilateral meetings involving several regional and global leaders high on the agenda.
Modi arrived in the Kyrgyz capital on Sunday night, August 30, for a two-day visit at the invitation of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov. He was received at the airport by Kyrgyzstan’s Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Adylbek Kasymaliev.
On Monday, Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with the leaders of Russia, Iran, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia on the sidelines of the SCO gathering.
His meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to draw particular attention amid ongoing geopolitical developments and the long-standing strategic partnership between India and Russia.
Talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are also significant given the continuing tensions in West Asia and India’s interest in regional stability, connectivity and energy security.
Modi is additionally scheduled to meet host President Sadyr Zhaparov, providing an opportunity to review India-Kyrgyzstan relations and cooperation across trade, connectivity, defence, education and cultural exchanges.
A meeting with the President of Armenia is also on Monday’s bilateral schedule.
Earlier in the day, Modi interacted with members of the “Friends of India” community in Bishkek, including delegations working in areas such as yoga and the Manas cultural tradition.
The Prime Minister also visited the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Park in Bishkek and paid floral tribute at Gandhi’s statue. The statue was unveiled during Modi’s earlier visit to Kyrgyzstan in 2015.
Modi is also scheduled to attend the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games, which showcases the cultural heritage and traditional sports of Central Asia.
The main SCO leaders’ summit will take place on September 1, when Modi is scheduled to address the gathering.
India is expected to highlight its regional priorities built around Security, Connectivity and Opportunity, while also pushing for greater cooperation against terrorism, separatism and extremism.
The 2026 summit marks the 25th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. India has been a full SCO member since 2017.
The Bishkek meetings come at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty, making Modi’s bilateral interactions with Russia, Iran and other SCO partners an important part of India’s diplomatic outreach in Eurasia.
source – Akashvani News
Supreme News Network
