PM Modi, Chinese President hold delegation-level talks

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held delegation level -talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Uzbekistan.

Prime Minister Modi's meeting with the Chinese President assumes significance in the backdrop of India's attempts to get membership in the 48-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

China had on Wednesday said that only applications of those countries that signed the atomic Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) would be considered.

The Prime Minister arrived in Tashkent earlier this afternoon to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.

During his two-day visit, Prime Minister Modi will also hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the summit.

India will sign a memorandum of obligations, paving the way for it become a full-fledged SCO member of the Organisation.

The membership will provide India an opportunity to have extended cooperation with members of the group, including China and Pakistan.

Secretary (West) in External Affairs Ministry Sujata Mehta said on Wednesday that India is keen to deepen its security­related cooperation with the SCO and its Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS), which specifically deals with security and defence issues.

The decision to become a member of the SCO was taken last year following Prime Minister's outreach during the BRICS summit.