PM Modi reaches Tashkent to attend SCO Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived on a two-day visit to Uzbekistan today to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tashkent.

"Arrived in Uzbekistan, I am glad to visit this friendly country once again. I am looking forward to meet with leaders at the SCO Summit," tweeted the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

"I am confident, that my talks at the SCO Summit will strengthen our bilateral ties with the SCO nations," read another tweet.

Prime Minister Modi was received by his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

"PM Shavkat Mirziyoyev welcomes PM @narendramodi to Uzbekistan," PMO tweeted.

Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted, "Namaste Tashkent! PM @narendramodi arrives in Uzbekistan, is received by PM Shavkat Mirziyoev at airport."

During his stay here, Prime Minister Modi will also hold multilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov 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 grouping including China and Pakistan.

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

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