Modi meets Putin in Tashkent as India, Pakistan enter SCO

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 24

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today met Russian President Vladmir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tashkent. The Russian President reached out to India and said, “India is a special and privileged partner.” Russia was also one of the member states that strongly supported India’s membership application for the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) in Seoul.

The SCO leaders today officially approved the memorandum on India’s obligations to become a SCO member. It also approved a similar procedure for Pakistan’s SCO membership.

While China backed Pakistan’s case for SCO membership, Russia provided a strong backing for India’s entry into the grouping. Modi, in his meeting with Putin, “thanked Russia for its support in the SCO and said India as BRICS chair would keep up the momentum generated by Russia”.

Modi also held bilateral talks with Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon on the sidelines of the summit.

During his talks with the Tajik leader, the two countries decided to “celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations in a manner befitting the strong bonds between the two countries”. Both leaders spoke of the intensification of trade and economic linkages, working towards better connectivity between the two countries and of the ongoing security cooperation. The yearly celebration of the International Day of Yoga was a special item of discussion.

Earlier in the day, Modi met Lukashenko where the two leaders emphasised the need to take the relationship to new heights.