India At SCO: Packed day for PM Modi, to hold meetings with Russia, Iran
India Today
PM Modi is expected to have a busy schedule in Samarkand to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
Prime Minister Modi is expected to land in Samarkand late Thursday evening for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit which will officially kick off the next day (September 16). PM Modi’s visit will be watched closely by the West, which has pegged this bloc as anti-West given the towering presence of Russia, China and Iran at the summit.
Speaking to India Today, to a question about SCO looking like an anti-West bloc, Indian envoy to Uzbekistan, Ambassador Manish Prabhat said, “India is very clear and this has been said on SCO platforms also that SCO is not an organisation which is against any other bloc of countries or any other country. SCO is a venture for constructive cooperation and peace and stability in the world. There could be concerns from different countries on various kinds of issues but the platform is there to talk about those issues. India has always maintained that position. As the next chair, we will continue to do so.”
Read: PM Modi, Putin to discuss food supply, trade at global summit in Uzbekistan
The informal dinner for leaders will be hosted by Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the new Samarkand International Tourist Center, which was specially built for the SCO summit and where the events of the planned summit will be held.
Eight various-star hotels have been built in Samarkand, with a total of 1.2 thousand rooms, which will accommodate guests and participants of the upcoming summit, according to reports quoting Uzbek Deputy PM Aziz Abdukhakimov.
On the summit and expansion of the SCO, Ambassador Manish Prabhat said, “This will be a historic summit... Iran's joining means an expansion of the body. SCO has proved its usefulness since more countries are interested in coming... Regional peace and security, humanitarian issues, cultural exchanges, health, food and energy security issues should be on the table.”
Read: PM Modi among 15 leaders to attend SCO summit in Uzbekistan on Sept 15, 16
