PM Modi meets Tajikistan pres, discusses bilateral ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon here on the sidelines of the ongoing Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit and discussed ties between the two countries.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar took to his Twitter handle and wrote, "Strategic partnership built upon a historical relationship. PM @narendramodi meets Emomali Rahmon, President of Tajikistan on the sidelines of #SCOSummit. #IndiaatSCO."

Earlier yesterday, Prime Minister Modi reached the coastal city in the afternoon to attend the annual two-day summit.

He held delegation-level talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping following which the two sides signed two MoUs: one on sharing information on Brahmaputra river and other on the rice export.

Later in the day, he met SCO General Secretary Rashid Alimov and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Prime Minister Modi, along with the SCO leaders of the member states, also witnessed a special event by Chinese artists at the International Conference centre in Qingdao on the sidelines of the summit.

A team of dancers, supported by local songs and a laser show, performed at the centre. With help of massive glass structures, the reflection of the dancers filled the entire venue.

Prime Minister Modi, along with other SCO leaders, then proceeded for a banquet hosted by President Xi.

The focus of this year's two-day summit is regional security challenges.