PM Modi Wraps up Tashkent Summit After Bilateral Talks With Putin

The Prime Minister was in Tashkent to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Photo: AP)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrapped up his two-day visit to Tashkent after attending the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), where he held talks with the Presidents of China, Russia and three other Central Asian countries.

The PM was in Tashkent primarily to attend the SCO summit which kick-started the process for India’s accession into the group as its full member.

During his brief stay, Modi held bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where the leaders spoke about stepping up cooperation in the civil nuclear energy and hydrocarbon sector.

The two leaders discussed cooperation in civil nuclear energy, partnership in the gas and petrochemicals sector. They also discussed furthering cooperation in the space sector.

Vikas Swarup, Spokesperson, External Affairs Ministry

Putin said Russia was looking forward to India’s chairmanship of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), adding that it has grown in influence.

President Putin said India is a special and privileged partner. There is a long standing friendship between Russia and India. He welcomed India signing the Memorandum of Obligations of SCO and looked forward to India’s Chairmanship of BRICS, which has grown in influence.

Swarup also said the Prime Minister thanked Russia for its support to India in the SCO and said that India as BRICS chair would keep up the momentum generated by Russia.

India has assumed chairmanship of the influential bloc BRICS comprising five countries having 42 percent of the world population and combined GDP of over USD 16 trillion.

India will host the BRICS summit later this year. Russia had the chairmanship of BRICS and it was passed onto India.

(With inputs from PTi)