PM Modi, Putin To Hold Bilateral Meeting Today On Sidelines Of SCO Summit

PM Modi To Meet Putin In Bishkek Today, Bilateral Talks Set To Focus On India-Russia Ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to hold a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bishkek on Monday on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. The talks come as India and Russia seek to strengthen their longstanding strategic partnership amid a rapidly changing geopolitical environment.

Putin is scheduled to arrive in the Kyrgyz capital on Monday and is expected to hold nine bilateral meetings during his visit. His engagements include meetings with PM Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

The Russian delegation will include Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk and Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Maxim Oreshkin.

KEY AREAS ON PM MODI-PUTIN AGENDA

The meeting between Modi and Putin will take place a day before the SCO leaders’ plenary session on Tuesday.

The two leaders are expected to review several areas of the India-Russia strategic partnership, including trade, energy, defence and other areas of mutual interest.

The talks assume significance as India continues to maintain close ties with Moscow while navigating an increasingly complex international environment.

PM Modi arrived in Bishkek on Sunday to participate in the 26th SCO Summit, which is being held from August 31 to September 1.

The Prime Minister is also expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the summit. Xi arrived in Bishkek on Sunday for the SCO gathering, which marks 25 years of the organisation.

SCO SUMMIT TO FOCUS ON REGIONAL ISSUES

Kyrgyzstan is hosting the summit under the theme, “25 Years of the SCO: Together Towards Sustainable Peace, Development and Prosperity.”

The main Council of Heads of State plenary is scheduled for September 1. The 10-member grouping is expected to deliberate on regional security, counter-terrorism, connectivity, trade, energy security and digital cooperation.

In his departure statement, PM Modi said India would work with SCO members to advance its vision for the region based on “security, connectivity and opportunity.”

He also stressed the need for a region free from “terrorism, separatism and extremism.”

BRICS SUMMIT NEXT ON THE DIPLOMATIC CALENDAR

The SCO meeting comes shortly before the BRICS Summit, which is scheduled to be held in New Delhi on September 12 and 13.

The gathering is expected to bring several of the same leaders together again, providing another opportunity for India to engage with key partners on regional and global issues.

For New Delhi, the Modi-Putin meeting in Bishkek will offer an opportunity to take stock of the India-Russia relationship and discuss areas where bilateral cooperation can be expanded amid evolving geopolitical challenges.