PM Modi meets Uzbekistan President Karimov on SCO (Update)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov and reportedly discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

"A closer engagement with the gracious host of the SCO. PM @narendramodi meets President Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan," tweeted Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Vikas Swarup.

The meeting followed Prime Minister Modi's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The Prime Minister arrived in Tashkent this afternoon to attend the 16th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.

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

India is expected to sign a memorandum of obligations, paving the way for it to 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 had said on Wednesday that India is keen to deepen its security­related cooperation with the SCO and its Regional Anti­Terrorism 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.