Looking forward to the expansion of SCO, says PM Modi as he lands in Uzbekistan
India Today
PM Modi has landed in Uzbekistan's Samarkand for the SCO Summit 2022. Upon his arrival, PM Modi said he was looking forward to exchanging views on topical regional and international issues as well as on expansion of the group.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the Samarkand International Airport on Thursday to attend the 22nd Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Upon his arrival, the Prime Minister, in a press release, said, "I look forward to exchanging views on topical, regional and international issues, the expansion of SCO and on further deepening of multifaceted and mutually beneficial cooperation."
"Under the Uzbek chairship, a number of decisions for mutual cooperation are likely to be adopted in areas of trade, economy, culture and tourism," he said.
At the airport, PM Modi was received by Abdulla Aripov, the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan. Several ministers, the governor of the Samarkand region, and other senior officials from the government of Uzbekistan welcomed PM Modi at the airport, a statement released by PMO said.
PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping were two SCO leaders who skipped the informal dinner on Thursday.
The summit will begin on Friday with a welcome ceremony of heads of SCO member states followed by a group photo.
The session will begin with a restricted 1+1 format meeting among leaders ( leader + interpreter). Then there would be a joint photo session followed by the 'extended format SCO meeting (1+5)' which is a delegation-level talk.
