Samarkand: Russian President Vladimir Putin meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of a regional summit in Uzbekistan today. Trade and geopolitics will be on the agenda for the meeting. The government has not confirmed any meeting with China’s Xi Jingping. This is the first time the Summit is being held in person after two years of being virtual.

“World’s 40 per cent population lives in SCO member nations. India is looking forward for mutual cooperation between member countries”, said PM Modi in his speech at SCO Summit. He has tweeted a small video of his remarks at the Summit.

PM Modi was one of the last leaders to arrive in Samarkand for the SCO Summit yesterday evening. The Indian participation formally began today with a group photo with Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and leaders of the other member states.

Later throughout the day, PM Modi is expected to meet Vladimir Putin to hold bilateral talks over strategic stability, situation in Asia Pacific region, and bilateral cooperation with the UN and G20. PM Modi shall also hold talks with Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.