<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/wuhan-provided-stability-and-momentum-to-india-china-ties-pm-modi-to-xi-226895">Wuhan provided 'stability and momentum' to India-China ties: PM Modi to Xi Jinping</a> 
 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday told Chinese President Xi Jinping that the relationship between the two countries has strengthened.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-delighted-to-win-first-round-of-race-for-british-prime-minister-226898">Boris Johnson 'delighted' to win first round of race for British Prime Minister</a> 
 
Boris Johnson, who has pledged to deliver Brexit on October 31, edged closer to power on Thursday when he won by far the most support from Conservative Party lawmakers in the first round of the contest to replace Prime Minister Theresa May.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/julian-assange-uk-foreign-secretary-signs-wikileaks-founders-us-extradition-papers-226823">Julian Assange: UK Foreign Secretary Javid signs WikiLeaks founder's US extradition papers&nbsp;</a> 
 
UK home secretary, Sajid Javid, on Friday said that he had signed a request to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the US where he faces charges of computer hacking.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-says-us-russia-relations-are-getting-worse-and-worse-226830">Putin says US-Russia relations are getting 'worse and worse'</a>

President Vladimir Putin said relations between Moscow and Washington were getting worse and worse, noting in an interview published on Thursday that the current US administration had imposed dozens of sanctions on Russia.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-air-force-rescue-team-recovers-bodies-of-all-personnel-aboard-an-32-aircraft-226844">Indian Air Force's rescue team recovers bodies of all personnel aboard AN-32 aircraft</a> 
 
Indian Air Force's search and rescue team has recovered bodies of all 13 personnel who were aboard IAF's missing AN-32 aircraft. The black box of transport aircraft has also been recovered. Choppers would be used to carry the dead bodies from the crash site, news agency ANI reported.

Wuhan provided 'stability and momentum' to India-China ties: PM Modi to Xi Jinping Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday told Chinese President Xi Jinping that the relationship between the two countries has strengthened.

Wuhan provided 'stability and momentum' to India-China ties: PM Modi to Xi Jinping Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday told Chinese President Xi Jinping that the relationship between the two countries has strengthened. Boris Johnson 'delighted' to win first round of race for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has pledged to deliver Brexit on October 31, edged closer to power on Thursday when he won by far the most support from Conservative Party lawmakers in the first round of the contest to replace Prime Minister Theresa May. Julian Assange: UK Foreign Secretary Javid signs WikiLeaks founder's US extradition papers UK home secretary, Sajid Javid, on Friday said that he had signed a request to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the US where he faces charges of computer hacking. Putin says US-Russia relations are getting 'worse and worse' President Vladimir Putin said relations between Moscow and Washington were getting worse and worse, noting in an interview published on Thursday that the current US administration had imposed dozens of sanctions on Russia. Indian Air Force's rescue team recovers bodies of all personnel aboard AN-32 aircraft Indian Air Force's search and rescue team has recovered bodies of all 13 personnel who were aboard IAF's missing AN-32 aircraft. The black box of transport aircraft has also been recovered. Choppers would be used to carry the dead bodies from the crash site, news agency ANI reported.

News brief: Big stories of the day

In this video know what is Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO)?

What is Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO)?

Reiterating India's strong stand against terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday appealed that countries supporting, aiding and funding terrorism must be held accountable during his address at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. Watch this video to know more.

PM Modi: 'Everyone needs to come together to fight terrorism'

Pakistan PM Imran Khan <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/imran-khans-faux-pas-pakistan-pm-keeps-sitting-as-world-leaders-assemble-for-sco-summit-227020">addressing the SCO summit</a> leaders in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan said that his country was ready to share its "experience and expertise in counter-terrorism."

"We are among the few countries to have successfully turned the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/need-better-cooperation-to-fight-terrorism-says-pm-modi-at-sco-summit-227042">tide against terrorism</a>," the Pak PM said, adding,"we will remain actively engaged in SCO's counter-terrorism initiatives."

"Threats from terrorism to climate change to narcotics to bacterial resistance continue to loom large," he said.

On developments in Afghanistan, the Pakistan prime minister said the conflict has "no military solution".&nbsp;

"Pakistan is fully supporting efforts for peace and reconciliation through an "Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process", he said. "There is finally a realisation that the conflict in Afghanistan has no military solution."

"Pakistan's foreign policy is anchored on the inextricable link between peace and development," the Pak prime minister told SCO member nations.

Watch: PM Modi's tough stand against terror, no meet with Imran Khan

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"We build partnerships based on mutual respect, sovereign equality and equal benefit," he asserted.

The Pakistan prime minister in his speech lauded the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC) calling it a "flagship project of President Xi's far-sighted Belt and Road Initiative."

"Gwadar Port at its southern end marks the only point of convergence of the maritime Belt and overland road," Imran said in his speech.

"In time, CPEC is destined to catalyse the creation of an integrated pan-Asian sphere of shared prosperity," the Pakistan prime minister added.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan addressing the SCO summit leaders in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan said that his country was ready to share its "experience and expertise in counter-terrorism.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan addressing the SCO summit leaders in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan said that his country was ready to share its "experience and expertise in counter-terrorism." "We are among the few countries to have successfully turned the tide against terrorism," the Pak PM said, adding,"we will remain actively engaged in SCO's counter-terrorism initiatives." "Threats from terrorism to climate change to narcotics to bacterial resistance continue to loom large," he said. On developments in Afghanistan, the Pakistan prime minister said the conflict has "no military solution". "Pakistan is fully supporting efforts for peace and reconciliation through an "Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process", he said. "There is finally a realisation that the conflict in Afghanistan has no military solution." "Pakistan's foreign policy is anchored on the inextricable link between peace and development," the Pak prime minister told SCO member nations. Watch: PM Modi's tough stand against terror, no meet with Imran Khan × "We build partnerships based on mutual respect, sovereign equality and equal benefit," he asserted. The Pakistan prime minister in his speech lauded the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC) calling it a "flagship project of President Xi's far-sighted Belt and Road Initiative." "Gwadar Port at its southern end marks the only point of convergence of the maritime Belt and overland road," Imran said in his speech. "In time, CPEC is destined to catalyse the creation of an integrated pan-Asian sphere of shared prosperity," the Pakistan prime minister added.

Pak among few countries to have successfully turned the tide against terrorism: PM Imran Khan at SCO summit

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - June 13th, 2019

Pakistan's relationship with India is probably at its "lowest point", Prime Minister Imran Khan has said even as he expressed hope that his Indian counterpart PM Narendra Modi will use his "big mandate" to resolve all differences, including the Kashmir issue.

Khan and Modi are in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/during-bilateral-talks-pm-modi-and-xi-jinping-discuss-pakistan-terror-and-boundary-dispute-226899">two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit</a>.

In an interview to Russian news agency Sputnik before heading to Bishkek, Khan said the SCO summit provided him an opportunity to speak to the Indian leadership to improve ties between the two neighbours.

Khan said the SCO summit provided Pakistan a "fresh outlet" to develop its relationship with other countries, including India.

"At the moment, our bilateral relationship with India is, probably, at its lowest point," he said.

Khan said Pakistan was open for "any kind of mediation" and seeks peace with all its neighbours, especially with India, asserting that the three "small wars" have damaged both the countries that now grapple with the "greatest amount of poverty".

The Ministry of External Affairs last week said that no bilateral meetings had been planned between Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Khan on the sidelines of the SCO Summit.

Khan has twice written to Prime Minister Modi, seeking resumption of dialogue on all issues, including on Kashmir.

Modi Thursday raised the issue of cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan during his talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping here and said India expects "concrete action" by Islamabad to create an atmosphere free of terror for the resumption of dialogue.

Khan said the emphasis should be on peace and resolving differences through dialogue.

"Our main difference with India is Kashmir. And if the heads of two countries resolve, if two governments decide, this issue can be resolved. But, unfortunately, we have not had much success from India so far," he said.

"But we hope now that the current prime minister has one big mandate, we hope that he will use this mandate to develop a better relationship and bring peace in the subcontinent," Khan said.

He said he believed that the money should be spent on getting people out of poverty, citing China's example which has lifted millions of people out of poverty.

"We hope that our tension with India decreases, so we do not have to buy arms because we want to spend money on human development. But, yes, we are looking for arms from Russia, and I know our military is already in touch with the Russian military," Khan said.

Pakistan has been holding joint military drills with Russia in the last couple of years besides going for defence purchases from it, triggering some concerns in New Delhi.&nbsp;

Pakistan's relationship with India is probably at its "lowest point", Prime Minister Imran Khan has said even as he expressed hope that his Indian counterpart PM Narendra Modi will use his "big mandate" to resolve all differences, including the Kashmir issue.

Pakistan's relationship with India is probably at its "lowest point", Prime Minister Imran Khan has said even as he expressed hope that his Indian counterpart PM Narendra Modi will use his "big mandate" to resolve all differences, including the Kashmir issue. Khan and Modi are in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek for the two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. In an interview to Russian news agency Sputnik before heading to Bishkek, Khan said the SCO summit provided him an opportunity to speak to the Indian leadership to improve ties between the two neighbours. Khan said the SCO summit provided Pakistan a "fresh outlet" to develop its relationship with other countries, including India. "At the moment, our bilateral relationship with India is, probably, at its lowest point," he said. Khan said Pakistan was open for "any kind of mediation" and seeks peace with all its neighbours, especially with India, asserting that the three "small wars" have damaged both the countries that now grapple with the "greatest amount of poverty". The Ministry of External Affairs last week said that no bilateral meetings had been planned between Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Khan on the sidelines of the SCO Summit. Khan has twice written to Prime Minister Modi, seeking resumption of dialogue on all issues, including on Kashmir. Modi Thursday raised the issue of cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan during his talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping here and said India expects "concrete action" by Islamabad to create an atmosphere free of terror for the resumption of dialogue. Khan said the emphasis should be on peace and resolving differences through dialogue. "Our main difference with India is Kashmir. And if the heads of two countries resolve, if two governments decide, this issue can be resolved. But, unfortunately, we have not had much success from India so far," he said. "But we hope now that the current prime minister has one big mandate, we hope that he will use this mandate to develop a better relationship and bring peace in the subcontinent," Khan said. He said he believed that the money should be spent on getting people out of poverty, citing China's example which has lifted millions of people out of poverty. "We hope that our tension with India decreases, so we do not have to buy arms because we want to spend money on human development. But, yes, we are looking for arms from Russia, and I know our military is already in touch with the Russian military," Khan said. Pakistan has been holding joint military drills with Russia in the last couple of years besides going for defence purchases from it, triggering some concerns in New Delhi.

Pak-India ties at 'lowest point', hope PM Modi will use his mandate to resolve all issues: Imran Khan

PM Avoids Pakistan's Airspace On His Way To Bishkek For SCO Summit. PM's Flight Route To Bishkek For SCO Summit Is Already Making Headlines. Amidst Strained Ties With Pakistan, Modi Avoids Pakistan's Airspace. What's The Government's Pakistan Strategy? How Will Modi Government 2.0 Approach The Pakistan Problem.

Gravitas: SCO Summit: What Is India's Strategy To Counter Pakistan?

SCO Is A Multilateral Forum & Platform For India To Advance Its Ties With Central Asian Countries. Pakistan Is Just One Of The Issues For India At The SCO Summit. It's A Platform For New Delhi To Advance Its Ties With Central Asian Countries. So What Are The Opportunities & Challenges For India. Here's A Report.

Gravitas: SCO: Opportunities & Challenges For India

Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Thursday briefed media on the bilateral meeting that took place between <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/wuhan-provided-stability-and-momentum-to-india-china-ties-pm-modi-to-xi-226895">PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Bishkek</a>, Kyrgyzstan on the sidelines of 19th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.&nbsp;

The foreign secretary informed that India reiterated its position on Pakistan.&nbsp;"We have a consistent position on Pakistan and look for a peaceful resolution," Gokhale said.&nbsp;

Gokhale said that the prime minister informed president Jinping that all efforts with Pakistan "have been derailed".&nbsp;

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PM Modi on Pak to Chinese Prez: we have made efforts and these have been derailed. Pak needs to create an atmosphere free of terrorism and did not see anything of this sort happening. <a href="https://t.co/CCvkNYlALd">https://t.co/CCvkNYlALd</a>
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Gokhale noted that the prime minister, during his talks with the Chinese President, said, "Pakistan needs to create an atmosphere free of terrorism, India expects Pakistan to take concrete action".&nbsp;

Watch: PM Modi meets Xi Jinping for first bilateral meeting

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/19th-sco-summit-pm-modi-meets-xi-jinping-for-first-bilateral-meeting-226904/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

PM noted what had improved between the two sides is strategic communication and in that context, we have been able to resolve long pending issues like the opening of Bank of China branch in India and the issue related to the listing of Masood Azhar, Gokhale stated.&nbsp;

Gokhale informed that Jinping has confirmed a visit to India later this year and that PM Modi has proposed to hold 70 significant events - 35 each in China and India - next year to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of India-China bilateral ties.&nbsp;

"External Affairs Ministers of both the countries have been tasked to discuss and develop the course of the same,"&nbsp;Gokhale added.&nbsp;

He informed that both the leaders held a brief discussion on the boundary dispute and maintained that special representatives of India and China will meet on the issue and carry out a solution that would be "fair and mutually acceptable".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are slated to meet again at the G20 Summit, the BRICS Summit and during an informal summit that is slated to take place later in the year. &nbsp;

On Friday, PM Modi will participate at the SCO meet in the morning and will have a bilateral meeting with Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and Kyrgyzstan's President Sooronbay Jeenbekov. He will also have many pull-aside meeting with leaders of several countries but none with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is expected.&nbsp;

Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Thursday briefed media on the bilateral meeting that took place between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on the sidelines of 19th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.

Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Thursday briefed media on the bilateral meeting that took place between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on the sidelines of 19th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. The foreign secretary informed that India reiterated its position on Pakistan. "We have a consistent position on Pakistan and look for a peaceful resolution," Gokhale said. Gokhale said that the prime minister informed president Jinping that all efforts with Pakistan "have been derailed". PM Modi on Pak to Chinese Prez: we have made efforts and these have been derailed. Pak needs to create an atmosphere free of terrorism and did not see anything of this sort happening. https://t.co/CCvkNYlALd — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) June 13, 2019 × Gokhale noted that the prime minister, during his talks with the Chinese President, said, "Pakistan needs to create an atmosphere free of terrorism, India expects Pakistan to take concrete action". Watch: PM Modi meets Xi Jinping for first bilateral meeting PM noted what had improved between the two sides is strategic communication and in that context, we have been able to resolve long pending issues like the opening of Bank of China branch in India and the issue related to the listing of Masood Azhar, Gokhale stated. Gokhale informed that Jinping has confirmed a visit to India later this year and that PM Modi has proposed to hold 70 significant events - 35 each in China and India - next year to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of India-China bilateral ties. "External Affairs Ministers of both the countries have been tasked to discuss and develop the course of the same," Gokhale added. He informed that both the leaders held a brief discussion on the boundary dispute and maintained that special representatives of India and China will meet on the issue and carry out a solution that would be "fair and mutually acceptable". Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are slated to meet again at the G20 Summit, the BRICS Summit and during an informal summit that is slated to take place later in the year. On Friday, PM Modi will participate at the SCO meet in the morning and will have a bilateral meeting with Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and Kyrgyzstan's President Sooronbay Jeenbekov. He will also have many pull-aside meeting with leaders of several countries but none with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is expected.

In bilateral meeting, PM Modi and Xi Jinping discuss Pakistan, terror and boundary dispute

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a delegation-level talk on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Bishkek on Thursday.

During the meet, PM thanked Russian President Putin for the "support for the rifle manufacturing unit in Amethi''.

In March of 2019, Prime Minister inaugurated <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/wuhan-provided-stability-and-momentum-to-india-china-ties-pm-modi-to-xi-226895">Indo-Russian joint venture</a> (JV) rifle manufacturing facility in Korwa, Amethi which will produce Kalashnikov AK 203 rifle.

27 meeting has taken place between <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/during-bilateral-talks-pm-modi-and-xi-jinping-discuss-pakistan-terror-and-boundary-dispute-226899">Modi and Putin</a> since 2014. Out of which 13 were bilateral while 14 multilateral.

On Friday, PM will participate at the SCO meet in the morning and will have bilateral meeting meet Iran President Hassan Rouhani and Kyrgyzstan President Sooronbay Jeenbekov.&nbsp;

He will also many pull-aside meeting with several countries but no pull aside with Pakistan PM Imran Khan is expected. &nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a delegation-level talk on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Bishkek on Thursday. During the meet, PM thanked Russian President Putin for the "support for the rifle manufacturing unit in Amethi''.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a delegation-level talk on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Bishkek on Thursday. During the meet, PM thanked Russian President Putin for the "support for the rifle manufacturing unit in Amethi''. In March of 2019, Prime Minister inaugurated Indo-Russian joint venture (JV) rifle manufacturing facility in Korwa, Amethi which will produce Kalashnikov AK 203 rifle. 27 meeting has taken place between Modi and Putin since 2014. Out of which 13 were bilateral while 14 multilateral. On Friday, PM will participate at the SCO meet in the morning and will have bilateral meeting meet Iran President Hassan Rouhani and Kyrgyzstan President Sooronbay Jeenbekov. He will also many pull-aside meeting with several countries but no pull aside with Pakistan PM Imran Khan is expected.

PM Modi holds delegation-level talks with Russian President Putin on SCO sidelines

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday told Chinese President Xi Jinping that the relationship between the two countries has strengthened.

PM Modi and Xi held a bilateral talks on the sidelines of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-holds-bilateral-talks-with-chinese-president-xi-jinping-on-sco-sidelines-226851">SCO summit</a> in Kyrgyzstan. This was the first meeting between the two leaders after Modi's re-election following the stunning victory of the BJP in the general elections in India last month.

The meeting began with President Xi congratulating Prime Minister Modi over his election victory.

"After the election results in India, I got your message, and today again you wish me on the victory, I am very grateful to you for this," Modi replied.

PM Modi also mentioned about Wuhan informal summit and said there has been "improvement in strategic communication" between the two countries after the summit.&nbsp;

"After our meeting in Wuhan, we have seen a new momentum and stability in our relations. There has been a rapid progress in the strategic communication between the two sides, leading to be more sensitive towards each other's concerns and interests. And there has been new areas for further cooperation since then," Modi told Xi.

Watch: MEA briefing on Modi-Xi meeting

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The 2018 Wuhan summit between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi was largely credited to have turned around the bilateral relations soured by the 73-day Doklam stand-off, triggered by Chinese troops attempts to build a road close to Indian border in an area also claimed by Bhutan in 2017.

After the Wuhan summit, both the countries stepped up efforts to improve relations on different spheres including the military-to-military ties.

Modi also wished Chinese President Xi Jinping happy birthday during the meeting. The Chinese leader celebrates his 66th birthday on June 15.

This was the first meeting of Modi with the Chinese leader in 2019. This also was the first meeting of Modi and Xi after the listing of Masood Azhar as an international terrorist.&nbsp;

The two leaders have met more than 10 times in the last five years, out of which four meetings happened in 2018, starting with informal Wuhan summit in April followed by bilateral meetings on the sidelines of SCO, BRICS and G20. The Chinese president will be coming to India later this year for the second informal summit.

On Friday, PM will participate at the SCO meet in the morning and will have a bilateral meeting with Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and&nbsp;Kyrgyzstan's President Sooronbay Jeenbekov. He will also have many pull-aside meeting with leaders of several countries but no pull aside with Pakistan Prime Minister&nbsp;Imran Khan is expected.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday told Chinese President Xi Jinping that the relationship between the two countries has strengthened. PM Modi and Xi held a bilateral talks on the sidelines of SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday told Chinese President Xi Jinping that the relationship between the two countries has strengthened. PM Modi and Xi held a bilateral talks on the sidelines of SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan. This was the first meeting between the two leaders after Modi's re-election following the stunning victory of the BJP in the general elections in India last month. The meeting began with President Xi congratulating Prime Minister Modi over his election victory. "After the election results in India, I got your message, and today again you wish me on the victory, I am very grateful to you for this," Modi replied. PM Modi also mentioned about Wuhan informal summit and said there has been "improvement in strategic communication" between the two countries after the summit. "After our meeting in Wuhan, we have seen a new momentum and stability in our relations. There has been a rapid progress in the strategic communication between the two sides, leading to be more sensitive towards each other's concerns and interests. And there has been new areas for further cooperation since then," Modi told Xi. Watch: MEA briefing on Modi-Xi meeting The 2018 Wuhan summit between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi was largely credited to have turned around the bilateral relations soured by the 73-day Doklam stand-off, triggered by Chinese troops attempts to build a road close to Indian border in an area also claimed by Bhutan in 2017. After the Wuhan summit, both the countries stepped up efforts to improve relations on different spheres including the military-to-military ties. Modi also wished Chinese President Xi Jinping happy birthday during the meeting. The Chinese leader celebrates his 66th birthday on June 15. This was the first meeting of Modi with the Chinese leader in 2019. This also was the first meeting of Modi and Xi after the listing of Masood Azhar as an international terrorist. The two leaders have met more than 10 times in the last five years, out of which four meetings happened in 2018, starting with informal Wuhan summit in April followed by bilateral meetings on the sidelines of SCO, BRICS and G20. The Chinese president will be coming to India later this year for the second informal summit. On Friday, PM will participate at the SCO meet in the morning and will have a bilateral meeting with Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and Kyrgyzstan's President Sooronbay Jeenbekov. He will also have many pull-aside meeting with leaders of several countries but no pull aside with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is expected.

Wuhan provided 'stability and momentum' to India-China ties: PM Modi to Xi Jinping

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived at Kyrgyz capital for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, is holding a first bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.&nbsp;

This is the first time that the two leaders are meeting post-Masood Azhar's listing at the UNSC as an international terrorist.&nbsp;

The focus of the meeting is on Xi's upcoming visit to India.&nbsp;

President Xi is expected to visit Varanasi later this year for the second informal meeting between the two leaders.&nbsp;

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PM Modi meets Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the SCO Summit. This is first bilateral in Bishkek, &amp; also first meet with Chinese President after listing of Masood Azhar as an international terrorists at the United Nation <a href="https://t.co/fDWzxpwRvw">pic.twitter.com/fDWzxpwRvw</a>
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Modi and President Xi met at Wuhan last year for their first informal meeting.&nbsp;

Modi will also hold a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and Kyrgyzstan's President Sooronbay Jeenbekov on the sidelines of the summit.

This is the first multilateral summit PM Modi will be attending after his re-election.

The SCO represents 42 per cent of the world’s population, 22 per cent of its land area and 20 per cent of its GDP and New Delhi sees it as a platform to engage with central Asian countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived at Kyrgyz capital for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, is holding a first bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived at Kyrgyz capital for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, is holding a first bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This is the first time that the two leaders are meeting post-Masood Azhar's listing at the UNSC as an international terrorist. The focus of the meeting is on Xi's upcoming visit to India. President Xi is expected to visit Varanasi later this year for the second informal meeting between the two leaders. PM Modi meets Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the SCO Summit. This is first bilateral in Bishkek, & also first meet with Chinese President after listing of Masood Azhar as an international terrorists at the United Nation pic.twitter.com/fDWzxpwRvw — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) June 13, 2019 × Modi and President Xi met at Wuhan last year for their first informal meeting. Modi will also hold a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and Kyrgyzstan's President Sooronbay Jeenbekov on the sidelines of the summit. This is the first multilateral summit PM Modi will be attending after his re-election. The SCO represents 42 per cent of the world’s population, 22 per cent of its land area and 20 per cent of its GDP and New Delhi sees it as a platform to engage with central Asian countries.

PM Modi holds bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on SCO sidelines

PM Modi will be in Kyrgyzstan on a two-day visit starting Thursday during which he will be participating in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ahead-of-sco-summit-member-countries-say-india-has-important-role-to-play-226250">19th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit</a> and hold a number of bilateral meetings. This is the first multilateral summit that PM Modi will be attending after the recently concluded general elections.

In a pre-departure statement ahead of the SCO summit, PM said, "We attach special importance to SCO in promoting multilateral, political, security, economic and people-to-people interaction in the region".

Explaining further, "India has actively participated in various SCO dialogue mechanisms since its full membership of SCO two years ago. We have extended full cooperation to the Chairmanship of the Kyrgyz Republic over the past year."

PM Modi will not be using <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-not-to-fly-over-pak-airspace-for-sco-summit-226462">Pakistan's airspace for his Kyrgyzstan visit</a>, instead, he will flying over Oman, Iran and Central Asian countries to reach the country.

Air India has confirmed that the route does not cross Pakistan's airspace in any way. India had explored two options for the route to be taken by PM's aircraft to Bishkek.&nbsp;

The prime minister will be reaching Kyrgyzstan by midday on Thursday and is set to have a packed day. His first engagement will be inaugurating India-Kyrgyz textile exhibition along with Kyrgystan's President Sooronbay Jeenbekov on the theme of "Colors and Weaves of India and Central Asia”.&nbsp;

Watch: PM Modi's tough stand against terror, no meet with Imran Khan

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The first day will also see him meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This will be his first meeting with the Chinese President this year and first since the listing of Masood Azhar as an international terrorist by the United Nations. Later this year, Jinping will be visiting India for the second informal summit.&nbsp;

Last year PM Modi and Chinese President met four times starting with the Wuhan informal summit followed by a meeting on the sidelines of the SCO summit in China, the BRICS summit in South Africa and the G20 summit in Argentina.&nbsp;

The second day of PM's Kyrgyzstan trip will have two components - his participation at the SCO summit and his engagement with the Kyrgyz counterpart.&nbsp;

India is expected to raise a number of issues, from terror to trade to connectivity and ties with central Asia at the summit. New Delhi became an SCO member in 2017 and this is the second time PM Modi is participating in the summit.

"Prime Minister, when he participates, when he makes his intervention, he will reflect the Indian concerns and priorities with respect to the SCO process," Secretary West, Gitesh Sarma said in a media briefing ahead of the summit.

The organization represents &nbsp;42 per cent of the world’s population, 22 per cent of its land area and 20 per cent of its GDP and New Delhi sees it as a platform to engage with Central Asian countries.&nbsp;

"We live in a globalised world. The distances are much shorter and multilateralism of this order is the new order of the world relationship," Alok A Dimri, Indian envoy to Kyrgyzstan, told WION in Bishkek.

In the afternoon of June 14, the prime minister will participate in India Kyrgyz Business Forum followed by his bilateral meet with Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov. Remember, India had invited the Kyrgyz president for the oathtaking ceremony of PM Modi on May 30 at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Reacting on the invite, Kyrgyz Envoy Asein Isaev had told WION, "It was a big surprise. We were very excited by this invitation. Our president immediately answered, and immediately arrived. He was in Kazakhstan and after that, he had to go to Saudi Arabia. He only had half a day but he decided to directly come here".

This is the second visit of PM Modi to the central Asian country. In his first term, he had visited all the central Asian countries.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs has clarified that there will be no structured formal talks between PM Modi and Pakistan's PM Imran Khan on the sidelines of the SCO summit but a pull aside is something that is keeping everyone on tenterhooks with huge media presence from both India and Pakistan in Bishkek.

PM Modi will be in Kyrgyzstan on a two-day visit starting Thursday during which he will be participating in the 19th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit and hold a number of bilateral meetings.

PM Modi will be in Kyrgyzstan on a two-day visit starting Thursday during which he will be participating in the 19th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit and hold a number of bilateral meetings. This is the first multilateral summit that PM Modi will be attending after the recently concluded general elections. In a pre-departure statement ahead of the SCO summit, PM said, "We attach special importance to SCO in promoting multilateral, political, security, economic and people-to-people interaction in the region". Explaining further, "India has actively participated in various SCO dialogue mechanisms since its full membership of SCO two years ago. We have extended full cooperation to the Chairmanship of the Kyrgyz Republic over the past year." PM Modi will not be using Pakistan's airspace for his Kyrgyzstan visit, instead, he will flying over Oman, Iran and Central Asian countries to reach the country. Air India has confirmed that the route does not cross Pakistan's airspace in any way. India had explored two options for the route to be taken by PM's aircraft to Bishkek. The prime minister will be reaching Kyrgyzstan by midday on Thursday and is set to have a packed day. His first engagement will be inaugurating India-Kyrgyz textile exhibition along with Kyrgystan's President Sooronbay Jeenbekov on the theme of "Colors and Weaves of India and Central Asia”. Watch: PM Modi's tough stand against terror, no meet with Imran Khan × The first day will also see him meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This will be his first meeting with the Chinese President this year and first since the listing of Masood Azhar as an international terrorist by the United Nations. Later this year, Jinping will be visiting India for the second informal summit. Last year PM Modi and Chinese President met four times starting with the Wuhan informal summit followed by a meeting on the sidelines of the SCO summit in China, the BRICS summit in South Africa and the G20 summit in Argentina. The second day of PM's Kyrgyzstan trip will have two components - his participation at the SCO summit and his engagement with the Kyrgyz counterpart. India is expected to raise a number of issues, from terror to trade to connectivity and ties with central Asia at the summit. New Delhi became an SCO member in 2017 and this is the second time PM Modi is participating in the summit. "Prime Minister, when he participates, when he makes his intervention, he will reflect the Indian concerns and priorities with respect to the SCO process," Secretary West, Gitesh Sarma said in a media briefing ahead of the summit. The organization represents 42 per cent of the world’s population, 22 per cent of its land area and 20 per cent of its GDP and New Delhi sees it as a platform to engage with Central Asian countries. "We live in a globalised world. The distances are much shorter and multilateralism of this order is the new order of the world relationship," Alok A Dimri, Indian envoy to Kyrgyzstan, told WION in Bishkek. In the afternoon of June 14, the prime minister will participate in India Kyrgyz Business Forum followed by his bilateral meet with Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov. Remember, India had invited the Kyrgyz president for the oathtaking ceremony of PM Modi on May 30 at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. Reacting on the invite, Kyrgyz Envoy Asein Isaev had told WION, "It was a big surprise. We were very excited by this invitation. Our president immediately answered, and immediately arrived. He was in Kazakhstan and after that, he had to go to Saudi Arabia. He only had half a day but he decided to directly come here". This is the second visit of PM Modi to the central Asian country. In his first term, he had visited all the central Asian countries. Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs has clarified that there will be no structured formal talks between PM Modi and Pakistan's PM Imran Khan on the sidelines of the SCO summit but a pull aside is something that is keeping everyone on tenterhooks with huge media presence from both India and Pakistan in Bishkek.

PM Modi's two-day visit to Kyrgyzstan begins from Thursday; will meet Xi, Putin 

PM Modi won't be flying over <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-requests-pakistan-to-let-pm-modis-flight-pass-through-its-airspace-225685">Pakistan airspace while visiting Kyrgyzstan</a> for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO) summit.

An official spokesman said: "The government explored two options for the route to be taken by the VVIP aircraft to Bishkek. A decision has now been taken that the VVIP aircraft will fly via Oman, Iran and central Asian countries on the way to Bishkek."

Pakistan had decided in principle to let PM Modi's aircraft to fly over its airspace to Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan. Air India has confirmed that the route taken by PM Modi's plane does not cross over Pakistan airspace anywhere.

The summit will take place on Thursday and Friday. Pakistan PM Imran Khan will also be present at the summit, however, PM Modi and PM Imran Khan are not set to meet.

Indians, Afghans getting affected

This comes even as many Indians face daily trouble to come back to India. The airspace closure is also impacting thousands of Indian students in Kyrgyzstan. As many as 4,500 Indian students are there in Kyrgyzstan. Indian are now paying extra and also bearing the brunt of longer flights top come to India.&nbsp;

Not just Indians, many Afghans who wanted to visit family members in India or come for health checkups are also facing problems.&nbsp;

The time and cost for Kabul-New Delhi flight have increased substantially. A Delhi to Kabul flight that used to take less than 2 hours earlier now takes more than five hours just because it now has to go via Iran.

Watch: PM Modi's tough stand against terror, no meet with Imran Khan

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Pakistan had fully closed its airspace on February 26 after an Indian Air Force (IAF) strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camp in Balakot. Since then, it has only opened two routes, both of them pass through southern Pakistan, of the total 11.

India had earlier requested Pakistan to let Prime Minister Modi's aircraft fly over its airspace to Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan.&nbsp;

Pakistan had given special permission to India's then external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj to fly directly through Pakistani airspace to attend the SCO Foreign Ministers' meet in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on May 21 last year.

PM Modi won't be flying over Pakistan airspace while visiting Kyrgyzstan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO) summit. An official spokesman said: "The government explored two options for the route to be taken by the VVIP aircraft to Bishkek.

PM Modi won't be flying over Pakistan airspace while visiting Kyrgyzstan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO) summit. An official spokesman said: "The government explored two options for the route to be taken by the VVIP aircraft to Bishkek. A decision has now been taken that the VVIP aircraft will fly via Oman, Iran and central Asian countries on the way to Bishkek." Pakistan had decided in principle to let PM Modi's aircraft to fly over its airspace to Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan. Air India has confirmed that the route taken by PM Modi's plane does not cross over Pakistan airspace anywhere. The summit will take place on Thursday and Friday. Pakistan PM Imran Khan will also be present at the summit, however, PM Modi and PM Imran Khan are not set to meet. Indians, Afghans getting affected This comes even as many Indians face daily trouble to come back to India. The airspace closure is also impacting thousands of Indian students in Kyrgyzstan. As many as 4,500 Indian students are there in Kyrgyzstan. Indian are now paying extra and also bearing the brunt of longer flights top come to India. Not just Indians, many Afghans who wanted to visit family members in India or come for health checkups are also facing problems. The time and cost for Kabul-New Delhi flight have increased substantially. A Delhi to Kabul flight that used to take less than 2 hours earlier now takes more than five hours just because it now has to go via Iran. Watch: PM Modi's tough stand against terror, no meet with Imran Khan × Pakistan had fully closed its airspace on February 26 after an Indian Air Force (IAF) strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camp in Balakot. Since then, it has only opened two routes, both of them pass through southern Pakistan, of the total 11. India had earlier requested Pakistan to let Prime Minister Modi's aircraft fly over its airspace to Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan. Pakistan had given special permission to India's then external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj to fly directly through Pakistani airspace to attend the SCO Foreign Ministers' meet in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on May 21 last year.

PM Modi not to fly over Pak airspace for SCO summit; plane to travel via Oman, Iran and central Asian countries

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said that his visit to New Delhi this month will be focused on advancing the "incredibly important" ties with India which is a significant part of President Donald Trump's strategy in the strategic Indo-Pacific region. 
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Pompeo would leave for New Delhi on June 24.&nbsp;

New Delhi would be Pompeo's first stop and South Korea his last during the nearly week-long visit to the Indo-Pacific region, beginning June 24, that would also take him to Sri Lanka and Japan.

Before starting his trip, Pompeo will address the India Ideas Summit of US-India Business Council on June 12.

"I'll be speaking to a group of Indian business leaders in preparation for the trip that I'll take in a couple weeks where I'll be visiting India, an important part of President Trump's strategy in the Indo-Pacific," he told reporters at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the US State Department on Monday.

"I'm looking forward to the opportunity both to give the set of remarks about how it is our relationship is so closely tied economically, but also importantly the things that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-narendra-modi-to-meet-chinese-president-xi-jinping-on-sidelines-of-sco-summit-225651">United States and India </a>can continue to do to build out what is an incredibly important relationship for both countries," Pompeo said.

State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus told reporters that Pompeo will travel to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/modi-reduced-tariffs-on-harley-davidson-motorcycles-by-50-i-said-it-was-still-unacceptable-trump-226103">Indo-Pacific region </a>on June 24 through June 30 to broaden and deepen America's partnership with key countries to advance their shared goal of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

"The secretary's first stop will be in New Delhi, India. Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi's recent election victory provides an excellent opportunity for him to implement his vision for a strong and prosperous India that plays a leading role on the global stage," she said.&nbsp;

India, the US and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China's rising military maneuvering in the region.

China has been trying to expand its military presence in the Indo-Pacific, which is a biogeographic region, comprising the Indian Ocean and the western and central Pacific Ocean, including the South China Sea.

China claims almost all of the South China Sea. Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims over the sea.

Prime Minister Modi during his recent visit to the Maldives underscored India's firm commitment to make the strategic Indo-Pacific an area for shared economic growth, saying it has been "our lifeline, and also the highway for trade and prosperity."&nbsp;

Pompeo will preview elements of a cooperative agenda during his remarks at the India Ideas Summit at the US Chamber of Commerce, she said.

His next stop will be in Colombo, where Pompeo will express America's solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka as they stand united against the despicable Easter Sunday terrorist attacks. He will also discuss promising opportunities for US-Sri Lanka cooperation based on shared commitments to a free and open Indo-Pacific region, she added. 
Pompeo will then travel to Osaka, Japan, to participate in the G20 Leaders' Summit from June 28 -29, the first such gathering hosted by Japan.

On the margins of the summit, Pompeo will join Trump in meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to coordinate "on the final, fully verified denuclearization of North Korea", and discuss ways to strengthen trilateral cooperation with South Korea on "our unified approach towards North Korea" and other shared challenges, she said. 
Following the G20 Summit, Pompeo will accompany Trump to South Korea to meet with President Moon Jae-in.

"The two leaders will also discuss ways to strengthen the United States-Republic of Korea alliance. President Trump and President Moon will continue their close coordination on efforts to achieve the final, fully verified denuclearization of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," Ortagus said. &nbsp;

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said that his visit to New Delhi this month will be focused on advancing the "incredibly important" ties with India which is a significant part of President Donald Trump's strategy in the strategic Indo-Pacific region.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said that his visit to New Delhi this month will be focused on advancing the "incredibly important" ties with India which is a significant part of President Donald Trump's strategy in the strategic Indo-Pacific region. Pompeo would leave for New Delhi on June 24. New Delhi would be Pompeo's first stop and South Korea his last during the nearly week-long visit to the Indo-Pacific region, beginning June 24, that would also take him to Sri Lanka and Japan. Before starting his trip, Pompeo will address the India Ideas Summit of US-India Business Council on June 12. "I'll be speaking to a group of Indian business leaders in preparation for the trip that I'll take in a couple weeks where I'll be visiting India, an important part of President Trump's strategy in the Indo-Pacific," he told reporters at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the US State Department on Monday. "I'm looking forward to the opportunity both to give the set of remarks about how it is our relationship is so closely tied economically, but also importantly the things that the United States and India can continue to do to build out what is an incredibly important relationship for both countries," Pompeo said. State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus told reporters that Pompeo will travel to the Indo-Pacific region on June 24 through June 30 to broaden and deepen America's partnership with key countries to advance their shared goal of a free and open Indo-Pacific. "The secretary's first stop will be in New Delhi, India. Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi's recent election victory provides an excellent opportunity for him to implement his vision for a strong and prosperous India that plays a leading role on the global stage," she said. India, the US and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China's rising military maneuvering in the region. China has been trying to expand its military presence in the Indo-Pacific, which is a biogeographic region, comprising the Indian Ocean and the western and central Pacific Ocean, including the South China Sea. China claims almost all of the South China Sea. Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims over the sea. Prime Minister Modi during his recent visit to the Maldives underscored India's firm commitment to make the strategic Indo-Pacific an area for shared economic growth, saying it has been "our lifeline, and also the highway for trade and prosperity." Pompeo will preview elements of a cooperative agenda during his remarks at the India Ideas Summit at the US Chamber of Commerce, she said. His next stop will be in Colombo, where Pompeo will express America's solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka as they stand united against the despicable Easter Sunday terrorist attacks. He will also discuss promising opportunities for US-Sri Lanka cooperation based on shared commitments to a free and open Indo-Pacific region, she added. Pompeo will then travel to Osaka, Japan, to participate in the G20 Leaders' Summit from June 28 -29, the first such gathering hosted by Japan. On the margins of the summit, Pompeo will join Trump in meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to coordinate "on the final, fully verified denuclearization of North Korea", and discuss ways to strengthen trilateral cooperation with South Korea on "our unified approach towards North Korea" and other shared challenges, she said. Following the G20 Summit, Pompeo will accompany Trump to South Korea to meet with President Moon Jae-in. "The two leaders will also discuss ways to strengthen the United States-Republic of Korea alliance. President Trump and President Moon will continue their close coordination on efforts to achieve the final, fully verified denuclearization of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," Ortagus said.

India an important part of President Trump's strategy in Indo-Pacific: Pompeo

As leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meet for the 19th summit in Kyrgyzstan's capital Bishkek on Thursday many issues such as regional security architecture, counter-terror and trade would take centre stage. While India's presence in the group has been lauded by many members of the eight-country&nbsp;strong group, SCO Chair for this year, Kyrgyzstan told WION that New Delhi's experience can help other members in countering aforementioned&nbsp;issues.

Ambassador Asein Isaev, Kyrgyz's envoy to New Delhi said, "The main objective of the organisation is peaceful development of the region. We need Indian experience in all spheres --&nbsp;democratic development, security possibilities, cultural development; also we hope, India will share the experience with other members of SCO."

Meanwhile, Uzbek envoy to India Farhod Arziev said New Delhi has an important role to play in the international grouping&nbsp;that covers three-fifths of the Eurasian continent and nearly half of the human population.&nbsp;

He said, "We have supported full membership of India to SCO, and we believe it has been a big contribution to further expansion and development of the organisation as an international institution with India being one of the fastest growing countries. It has many things to offer for the development of SCO."

PM Modi will meet many world leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sooronbay Jeenbekov who was invited for the oath-taking ceremony of PM Modi in May on the sidelines of the summit.&nbsp;

This will be PM Modi's first meeting with Chinese President since the listing of Masood Azhar as an international terrorist by the United Nations.&nbsp;

India has also made it clear no meeting between PM Modi and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan is scheduled.&nbsp;

Raveesh Kumar, MEA's spokesperson in response to WION's question at the first weekly presser of the new government had said, "To the best of my knowledge no meeting has been planned between PM Modi and Pakistan PM Imran Khan at the SCO Summit in Bishkek."

Speculation is rife&nbsp;that both leaders may meet, especially with the visit of Pakistan Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood to India on Eid.&nbsp;

Indian foreign ministry has clarified on the visit, &nbsp;saying it was a "personal visit and there was no meeting scheduled" between Pakistan Foreign Secretary and an Indian official.&nbsp;

Watch: SCO to pitch for a new trading system

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This will be the first multilateral meet in Modi's second term as Prime Minister of the country.

India became a full member of the group in 2017 at the 17th summit of SCO in Astana, Kazakhstan.&nbsp;

As leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meet for the 19th summit in Kyrgyzstan's capital Bishkek on Thursday many issues such as regional security architecture, counter-terror and trade would take centre stage.

As leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meet for the 19th summit in Kyrgyzstan's capital Bishkek on Thursday many issues such as regional security architecture, counter-terror and trade would take centre stage. While India's presence in the group has been lauded by many members of the eight-country strong group, SCO Chair for this year, Kyrgyzstan told WION that New Delhi's experience can help other members in countering aforementioned issues. Ambassador Asein Isaev, Kyrgyz's envoy to New Delhi said, "The main objective of the organisation is peaceful development of the region. We need Indian experience in all spheres -- democratic development, security possibilities, cultural development; also we hope, India will share the experience with other members of SCO." Meanwhile, Uzbek envoy to India Farhod Arziev said New Delhi has an important role to play in the international grouping that covers three-fifths of the Eurasian continent and nearly half of the human population. He said, "We have supported full membership of India to SCO, and we believe it has been a big contribution to further expansion and development of the organisation as an international institution with India being one of the fastest growing countries. It has many things to offer for the development of SCO." PM Modi will meet many world leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sooronbay Jeenbekov who was invited for the oath-taking ceremony of PM Modi in May on the sidelines of the summit. This will be PM Modi's first meeting with Chinese President since the listing of Masood Azhar as an international terrorist by the United Nations. India has also made it clear no meeting between PM Modi and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan is scheduled. Raveesh Kumar, MEA's spokesperson in response to WION's question at the first weekly presser of the new government had said, "To the best of my knowledge no meeting has been planned between PM Modi and Pakistan PM Imran Khan at the SCO Summit in Bishkek." Speculation is rife that both leaders may meet, especially with the visit of Pakistan Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood to India on Eid. Indian foreign ministry has clarified on the visit, saying it was a "personal visit and there was no meeting scheduled" between Pakistan Foreign Secretary and an Indian official. Watch: SCO to pitch for a new trading system × This will be the first multilateral meet in Modi's second term as Prime Minister of the country. India became a full member of the group in 2017 at the 17th summit of SCO in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Ahead of SCO summit, member countries say India has important role to play

Pakistan on Monday decided in principle to let Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aircraft fly over its airspace to Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan where he has to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on June 13-14, where his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan would also be present.

Pakistan had fully closed its airspace on February 26 after an Indian Air Force (IAF) strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camp in Balakot. Since then, it has only opened two routes, both of them pass through southern Pakistan, of the total 11.

India requested Pakistan to let Prime Minister Modi's aircraft fly over its airspace to Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan.

The official confirmed to PTI that the Imran Khan government has approved in principle the Indian government's request to let Prime Minister Modi's aircraft fly over the Pakistani airspace to Bishkek.

"The Indian government will be conveyed about the decision once the procedural formalities are completed. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will also be directed to notify the airmen subsequently," the official said, adding Pakistan was hopeful that India would respond to its offer for peace dialogue.

He said Prime Minister Khan has recently written a letter to his Indian counterpart stressing Pakistan requires a solution for all geopolitical issues including Kashmir between the two neighbouring states.

The official further said Pakistan is still optimistic that India will respond to peace offer despite the fact both premiers were not meeting at the sidelines of the SCO Summit.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar in New Delhi said no bilateral meeting has been arranged between Prime Minister Modi and his Pakistani counterpart on the sidelines of the SCO Summit.

Pakistan had given special permission to India's then external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj to fly directly through Pakistani airspace to attend the SCO Foreign Ministers' meet in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on May 21.

Apart from the two routes through southern Pakistan, the neighbouring country's airspace remains closed for commercial airliners.

The IAF announced on May 31 that all temporary restrictions imposed on Indian airspace post the Balakot airstrike have been removed. However, it is unlikely to benefit any commercial airliners unless Pakistan reciprocates and opens its complete airspace.

Among Indian airlines, the international operations of Air India and IndiGo have been affected by the closure of Pakistani airspace.

IndiGo, India's largest airline by the share in the domestic passenger market, has been unable to start direct flights from Delhi to Istanbul due to the closure of Pakistani airspace.

The low-cost carrier started the Delhi-Istanbul flight in March this year. It has to take the longer route every time over the Arabian Sea and make a stop either at Doha in Qatar or at Ahmedabad in Gujarat for refuelling.

Similarly, full-service carrier Air India is unable to fly non-stop flights from Delhi to the US since the closure of Pakistani airspace.

Pakistan, however, has extended its partial airspace ban on the eastern border with India until June 14.&nbsp;

Pakistan on Monday decided in principle to let Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aircraft fly over its airspace to Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan where he has to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on June 13-14, where his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan would also be present.

Pakistan on Monday decided in principle to let Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aircraft fly over its airspace to Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan where he has to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on June 13-14, where his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan would also be present. Pakistan had fully closed its airspace on February 26 after an Indian Air Force (IAF) strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camp in Balakot. Since then, it has only opened two routes, both of them pass through southern Pakistan, of the total 11. India requested Pakistan to let Prime Minister Modi's aircraft fly over its airspace to Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan. The official confirmed to PTI that the Imran Khan government has approved in principle the Indian government's request to let Prime Minister Modi's aircraft fly over the Pakistani airspace to Bishkek. "The Indian government will be conveyed about the decision once the procedural formalities are completed. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will also be directed to notify the airmen subsequently," the official said, adding Pakistan was hopeful that India would respond to its offer for peace dialogue. He said Prime Minister Khan has recently written a letter to his Indian counterpart stressing Pakistan requires a solution for all geopolitical issues including Kashmir between the two neighbouring states. The official further said Pakistan is still optimistic that India will respond to peace offer despite the fact both premiers were not meeting at the sidelines of the SCO Summit. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar in New Delhi said no bilateral meeting has been arranged between Prime Minister Modi and his Pakistani counterpart on the sidelines of the SCO Summit. Pakistan had given special permission to India's then external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj to fly directly through Pakistani airspace to attend the SCO Foreign Ministers' meet in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on May 21. Apart from the two routes through southern Pakistan, the neighbouring country's airspace remains closed for commercial airliners. The IAF announced on May 31 that all temporary restrictions imposed on Indian airspace post the Balakot airstrike have been removed. However, it is unlikely to benefit any commercial airliners unless Pakistan reciprocates and opens its complete airspace. Among Indian airlines, the international operations of Air India and IndiGo have been affected by the closure of Pakistani airspace. IndiGo, India's largest airline by the share in the domestic passenger market, has been unable to start direct flights from Delhi to Istanbul due to the closure of Pakistani airspace. The low-cost carrier started the Delhi-Istanbul flight in March this year. It has to take the longer route every time over the Arabian Sea and make a stop either at Doha in Qatar or at Ahmedabad in Gujarat for refuelling. Similarly, full-service carrier Air India is unable to fly non-stop flights from Delhi to the US since the closure of Pakistani airspace. Pakistan, however, has extended its partial airspace ban on the eastern border with India until June 14.

Pakistan decides to let PM Modi's plane fly over its airspace to Bishkek for SCO summit

Counter-terrorism, Afghanistan and ties with central Asian countries will be the top focus of India at the Shanghai cooperation organisation&nbsp; (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan between June 13 and 14. PM Modi will be in Bishkek for the summit, which will be his first international multilateral engagement in his second term.

Gitesh Sharma, Secretary (West), MEA, while briefing the media on PM's participation at the summit said,"if you look at the record of previous SCO interactions..terrorism does figure in the deliberations...on contact group of Afghanistan countries of the region are challenged by the situation there and have deep interest in stability of Afghanistan as well"

On central Asia, he said, "The way we approach SCO is that it provides as a framework where we can engage with the central Asian countries in particular. We have robust relations with each one of them."&nbsp;

This is Modi's first bilateral visit to&nbsp;Kyrgyzstan&nbsp;and Modi will be meeting his Kyrgyz counterpart. President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sooronbay Jeenbekov as SCO chair was invited for the oath-taking ceremony of PM Modi in May.

Modi will also hold bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This will be his first meeting with Chinese leadership after the listing of Masood Azhar as an international terrorist by the United Nations.&nbsp;

Sharma said,"We have excellent relations with Russia and China"

MEA meanwhile clarified that there will be no formal bilateral meet between PM Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. Both leaders will be face to face for the first time in their present capacity.&nbsp;

India became full member of SCO in 2017 and this is the second head of states/government meet in which New Delhi is participating. Prime Minister Modi had also attended the last meet in Qingdao , China in June 2018.

SCO represents approximately 42 per cent of the world's population, 22 per cent of world's land area and 20 per cent of global GDP and has 8 members--India, Pakistan, Russia, China and four central asian countries -- Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.

Counter-terrorism, Afghanistan and ties with central Asian countries will be the top focus of India at the Shanghai cooperation organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan between June 13 and 14.

Counter-terrorism, Afghanistan and ties with central Asian countries will be the top focus of India at the Shanghai cooperation organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan between June 13 and 14. PM Modi will be in Bishkek for the summit, which will be his first international multilateral engagement in his second term. Gitesh Sharma, Secretary (West), MEA, while briefing the media on PM's participation at the summit said,"if you look at the record of previous SCO interactions..terrorism does figure in the deliberations...on contact group of Afghanistan countries of the region are challenged by the situation there and have deep interest in stability of Afghanistan as well" On central Asia, he said, "The way we approach SCO is that it provides as a framework where we can engage with the central Asian countries in particular. We have robust relations with each one of them." This is Modi's first bilateral visit to Kyrgyzstan and Modi will be meeting his Kyrgyz counterpart. President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sooronbay Jeenbekov as SCO chair was invited for the oath-taking ceremony of PM Modi in May. Modi will also hold bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This will be his first meeting with Chinese leadership after the listing of Masood Azhar as an international terrorist by the United Nations. Sharma said,"We have excellent relations with Russia and China" MEA meanwhile clarified that there will be no formal bilateral meet between PM Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. Both leaders will be face to face for the first time in their present capacity. India became full member of SCO in 2017 and this is the second head of states/government meet in which New Delhi is participating. Prime Minister Modi had also attended the last meet in Qingdao , China in June 2018. SCO represents approximately 42 per cent of the world's population, 22 per cent of world's land area and 20 per cent of global GDP and has 8 members--India, Pakistan, Russia, China and four central asian countries -- Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.

PM Modi's first multilateral engagement to coincide with SCO Summit

Describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping as "good friends", China on Monday hoped that the two leaders would discuss their respective trade frictions with the US and reach a consensus on opposing trade protectionism during their "very important" <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-narendra-modi-to-meet-chinese-president-xi-jinping-on-sidelines-of-sco-summit-225651">meeting this week on the sidelines of the SCO summit</a> in Bishkek.&nbsp;

This year's summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) will be held in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek on June 13-14 where Modi and Xi are scheduled to meet and discuss bilateral and international issues.

The meeting assumes significance as this is the first meeting between the two leaders after Modi-led BJP's massive victory in the recent elections in India.&nbsp; 
Xi had congratulated Modi on his re-election through a letter on May 23.

"Once again we congratulate Prime Minister Modi. President Xi and Prime Minister Modi are good friends. They had a very successful informal summit at Wuhan last year," Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Hanhui told a media briefing here answering a question on the Modi-Xi meeting.

He said the Wuhan summit has provided strategic guidance for the development of India-China ties, paving the way for stable growth of China-India relations in the long run.

The April 27-28 Wuhan summit between Modi and Xi was largely credited to have turned around the bilateral relations soured by the 73-day Doklam standoff in 2017, triggered by Chinese troops' attempt to build a road close to the Indian border in an area also claimed by Bhutan.&nbsp;

After the Wuhan summit, both the countries stepped up efforts to improve relations in different spheres including the military-to-military ties. When asked about the meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the SCO summit, Zhang said, "While the details for the meeting are under discussion, I believe every bilateral meeting between President Xi and Prime Minister Modi is very important. From the Chinese side, we will make good perpetrations for the success of the bilateral meeting."

He also said the China-US trade war and the "spectre" of emerging trade frictions between the US and India could become an important part of the discussions between the two leaders.

"Whether they will talk about trade frictions between China and the US and the spectre of trade frictions between the US and India, such things are not surprising. I believe this could become an important topic in his bilateral meetings with the related leaders," he said.

The two countries have been in an escalating conflict over trade for the past year. The scope of the battle has expanded in recent months as Washington has tightened trade restrictions on Chinese telecoms giant Huawei.

Hopes for an imminent trade deal were shattered in May after the Trump administration more than doubled tariffs on USD 200 billion of Chinese imports and threatened additional duties.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump is demanding China to reduce the massive trade deficit which last year climbed to over USD 539 billion. He is also insisting on China to workout verifiable measures for the protection of intellectual property rights (IPR), technology transfer and more access to American goods to the Chinese markets.&nbsp;

Chinese officials hope that India, which is also facing trade frictions with the US especially over the termination of its designation as a 'beneficiary developing country' under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), would join the fight against Trump's protectionist policies.&nbsp;

"Trade protectionism and unilateralism are very much on the rise. How to respond to the bullying practices of the US, its practice of trade protectionism this is an important question not only to China but also has a direct bearing on the recovery of the global economy," Zhang said.

"So I would say it will be helpful if the two leaders could exchange views and we hope their communication will lead to extensive consensus on upholding justice and opposing trade protectionism," he said.

"I hope with their cooperation, the two countries will not only enhance bilateral trade but also play an important role in promoting global economy," he said.&nbsp;

Xi will exchange views with his foreign counterparts on bilateral and international issues as well, he said.&nbsp;

Describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping as "good friends", China on Monday hoped that the two leaders would discuss their respective trade frictions with the US and reach a consensus on opposing trade protectionism during their "very important" meeting this week on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Bishkek.

Describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping as "good friends", China on Monday hoped that the two leaders would discuss their respective trade frictions with the US and reach a consensus on opposing trade protectionism during their "very important" meeting this week on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Bishkek. This year's summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) will be held in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek on June 13-14 where Modi and Xi are scheduled to meet and discuss bilateral and international issues. The meeting assumes significance as this is the first meeting between the two leaders after Modi-led BJP's massive victory in the recent elections in India. Xi had congratulated Modi on his re-election through a letter on May 23. "Once again we congratulate Prime Minister Modi. President Xi and Prime Minister Modi are good friends. They had a very successful informal summit at Wuhan last year," Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Hanhui told a media briefing here answering a question on the Modi-Xi meeting. He said the Wuhan summit has provided strategic guidance for the development of India-China ties, paving the way for stable growth of China-India relations in the long run. The April 27-28 Wuhan summit between Modi and Xi was largely credited to have turned around the bilateral relations soured by the 73-day Doklam standoff in 2017, triggered by Chinese troops' attempt to build a road close to the Indian border in an area also claimed by Bhutan. After the Wuhan summit, both the countries stepped up efforts to improve relations in different spheres including the military-to-military ties. When asked about the meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the SCO summit, Zhang said, "While the details for the meeting are under discussion, I believe every bilateral meeting between President Xi and Prime Minister Modi is very important. From the Chinese side, we will make good perpetrations for the success of the bilateral meeting." He also said the China-US trade war and the "spectre" of emerging trade frictions between the US and India could become an important part of the discussions between the two leaders. "Whether they will talk about trade frictions between China and the US and the spectre of trade frictions between the US and India, such things are not surprising. I believe this could become an important topic in his bilateral meetings with the related leaders," he said. The two countries have been in an escalating conflict over trade for the past year. The scope of the battle has expanded in recent months as Washington has tightened trade restrictions on Chinese telecoms giant Huawei. Hopes for an imminent trade deal were shattered in May after the Trump administration more than doubled tariffs on USD 200 billion of Chinese imports and threatened additional duties. US President Donald Trump is demanding China to reduce the massive trade deficit which last year climbed to over USD 539 billion. He is also insisting on China to workout verifiable measures for the protection of intellectual property rights (IPR), technology transfer and more access to American goods to the Chinese markets. Chinese officials hope that India, which is also facing trade frictions with the US especially over the termination of its designation as a 'beneficiary developing country' under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), would join the fight against Trump's protectionist policies. "Trade protectionism and unilateralism are very much on the rise. How to respond to the bullying practices of the US, its practice of trade protectionism this is an important question not only to China but also has a direct bearing on the recovery of the global economy," Zhang said. "So I would say it will be helpful if the two leaders could exchange views and we hope their communication will lead to extensive consensus on upholding justice and opposing trade protectionism," he said. "I hope with their cooperation, the two countries will not only enhance bilateral trade but also play an important role in promoting global economy," he said. Xi will exchange views with his foreign counterparts on bilateral and international issues as well, he said.

On sidelines of SCO summit, Xi and Modi may discuss US trade protectionism in Bishkek: China

Indian Foreign ministry briefs media before SCO Summit, Modi-Xi to meet on sidelines of SCO summit

Indian Foreign ministry briefs media before SCO Summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit this week at Bishkek where he would also meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the first meeting between the two leaders after the BJP's massive victory in the general elections.

Xi will pay state visits to Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan from June 12 to 16, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang announced here on Sunday.

The SCO summit is due to be held on June 13-14 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The SCO is a China-led eight-member economic and security bloc with India and Pakistan being admitted to the grouping in 2017.

From June 12 to 14, President Xi will pay a state visit to Kyrgyzstan and attend SCO summit, Lu said in a statement.

Indian Ambassador to China Vikram Misri said last week that the two leaders would meet on the sidelines of the SCO summit.

Recalling last year's successful first-ever informal summit between Xi and Modi at Wuhan which was widely regarded a milestone in the bilateral ties, Misri said, "it is worth mentioning that last year, our leaders met four times on the sidelines of different multi-lateral meetings."

They are again meeting in Bishkek on the sidelines of the SCO Summit, he said.

The April 27-28 Wuhan summit between Modi and Xi was largely credited to have turned around the bilateral relations soured by the 73-day Doklam standoff, triggered by Chinese troops attempts to build a road close to the Indian border in an area also claimed by Bhutan in 2017.

After the Wuhan summit, both the countries stepped up efforts to improve relations on different spheres including the military-to-military ties.

In December last year, Prime Minister Modi met President Xi on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Argentina and discussed joint efforts to further enhance mutual trust and friendship between the two giant neighbours.

Last month, Xi extended his "heartfelt congratulations" to Prime Minister Modi for winning the general elections, in a rare gesture of greeting a foreign leader well before the official announcement of the results.

After the SCO summit, President Xi will travel to Tajikistan.

From June 14 to 16, the president will attend the fifth summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Dushanbe, the capital city of Tajikistan, Lu added.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit this week at Bishkek where he would also meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the first meeting between the two leaders after the BJP's massive victory in the general elections.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit this week at Bishkek where he would also meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the first meeting between the two leaders after the BJP's massive victory in the general elections. Xi will pay state visits to Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan from June 12 to 16, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang announced here on Sunday. The SCO summit is due to be held on June 13-14 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The SCO is a China-led eight-member economic and security bloc with India and Pakistan being admitted to the grouping in 2017. From June 12 to 14, President Xi will pay a state visit to Kyrgyzstan and attend SCO summit, Lu said in a statement. Indian Ambassador to China Vikram Misri said last week that the two leaders would meet on the sidelines of the SCO summit. Recalling last year's successful first-ever informal summit between Xi and Modi at Wuhan which was widely regarded a milestone in the bilateral ties, Misri said, "it is worth mentioning that last year, our leaders met four times on the sidelines of different multi-lateral meetings." They are again meeting in Bishkek on the sidelines of the SCO Summit, he said. The April 27-28 Wuhan summit between Modi and Xi was largely credited to have turned around the bilateral relations soured by the 73-day Doklam standoff, triggered by Chinese troops attempts to build a road close to the Indian border in an area also claimed by Bhutan in 2017. After the Wuhan summit, both the countries stepped up efforts to improve relations on different spheres including the military-to-military ties. In December last year, Prime Minister Modi met President Xi on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Argentina and discussed joint efforts to further enhance mutual trust and friendship between the two giant neighbours. Last month, Xi extended his "heartfelt congratulations" to Prime Minister Modi for winning the general elections, in a rare gesture of greeting a foreign leader well before the official announcement of the results. After the SCO summit, President Xi will travel to Tajikistan. From June 14 to 16, the president will attend the fifth summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Dushanbe, the capital city of Tajikistan, Lu added.

PM Narendra Modi to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on sidelines of SCO summit

Indian experience can help Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), ambassador of Kyrgyz Republic Asein Isaev has told WION. Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibbal, envoy Isaev said they were taken by surprise with Indian invitation to his President for the oath-taking ceremony of Narendra Modi on May 30th at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. Kyrgyzstan is the chair of SCO for this year and will host the summit on June 13&nbsp;&amp; 14&nbsp;in which PM Modi will participate.&nbsp;

WION: What will be the agenda of the SCO summit?

Asein Isaev: We will continue the Shanghai spirit. We have to strengthen our friendly relations in this region. After entering of India, SCO has became 3 and 1/2 billion strong. It is half of mankind. In this part of the world, everything will be good and peacefull and lead to development of the region.

WION: How are the preparations going?

Asein Isaev: This summit is very interesting. It's just not a&nbsp;political issue, it involves contact between people and countries. Before the summit&nbsp;we had a cultural and sports, and a joint military exercise. Our security forces had meetings. On June, 14th, there will be meetings of head of states.

WION: How do you see India's role?

Asein Isaev: The main objective of the organisation is the peaceful development of the region. We need Indian experience in all spheres - democratic development, security possibilities, cultural development and also we hope&nbsp;India will share experience with other members of the SCO.

WION: India invited President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sooronbay Jeenbekov for the oath-taking ceremony of PM Modi. How do you view it?

Asein Isaev: It was a big surprise. We were very excited by this invitation. Our president immediately answered, and immediately arrived. He was in Kazakhstan and after that he had to go to Saudi Arabia. He only had half a day but he decided to directly come here. Everytime close neighbours were invited, but this time invitation was also for our country, &nbsp;for our head of state.&nbsp;

It shows the growing importance of SCO countries, we are the chair of SCO. We have big intentions to be close friends and close partners of India. We very good relations with India in educational, medical, cultural and political sphere. We hope our relations will reach in the coming days to the level of strategic partnership. It's a big achievement for us. This coming visit of PM Modi has crucial importance for us.&nbsp;

WION: India has been focusing on programmes to connect central Asia? Your take.

Asein Isaev: &nbsp;One of the main problems in exporting goods from Kyrgyzstan to India and reverse is the issue of transportation. The completion of the transport corridor INSTC (providing the route for the delivery of goods from the seaport of Mumbai (India) to the port of Chabahar (Iran) will expand the opportunities and improve the economic situation of the country.&nbsp;

It would be a good help to India, too. We can export our agrarian products such as Kyrgyz ghee (yellow oil) that Indian people use in their food, it has excellent quality and taste. When my Indian friends have tasted it, they were definitely been very excited. We can also suggest white honey, dry fruits to our Indian friends.

Indian experience can help Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), ambassador of Kyrgyz Republic Asein Isaev has told WION. Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibbal, envoy Isaev said they were taken by surprise with Indian invitation to his President for the oath-taking ceremony of Narendra Modi on May 30th at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

Indian experience can help Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), ambassador of Kyrgyz Republic Asein Isaev has told WION. Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibbal, envoy Isaev said they were taken by surprise with Indian invitation to his President for the oath-taking ceremony of Narendra Modi on May 30th at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. Kyrgyzstan is the chair of SCO for this year and will host the summit on June 13 & 14 in which PM Modi will participate. WION: What will be the agenda of the SCO summit? Asein Isaev: We will continue the Shanghai spirit. We have to strengthen our friendly relations in this region. After entering of India, SCO has became 3 and 1/2 billion strong. It is half of mankind. In this part of the world, everything will be good and peacefull and lead to development of the region. WION: How are the preparations going? Asein Isaev: This summit is very interesting. It's just not a political issue, it involves contact between people and countries. Before the summit we had a cultural and sports, and a joint military exercise. Our security forces had meetings. On June, 14th, there will be meetings of head of states. WION: How do you see India's role? Asein Isaev: The main objective of the organisation is the peaceful development of the region. We need Indian experience in all spheres - democratic development, security possibilities, cultural development and also we hope India will share experience with other members of the SCO. WION: India invited President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sooronbay Jeenbekov for the oath-taking ceremony of PM Modi. How do you view it? Asein Isaev: It was a big surprise. We were very excited by this invitation. Our president immediately answered, and immediately arrived. He was in Kazakhstan and after that he had to go to Saudi Arabia. He only had half a day but he decided to directly come here. Everytime close neighbours were invited, but this time invitation was also for our country, for our head of state. It shows the growing importance of SCO countries, we are the chair of SCO. We have big intentions to be close friends and close partners of India. We very good relations with India in educational, medical, cultural and political sphere. We hope our relations will reach in the coming days to the level of strategic partnership. It's a big achievement for us. This coming visit of PM Modi has crucial importance for us. WION: India has been focusing on programmes to connect central Asia? Your take. Asein Isaev: One of the main problems in exporting goods from Kyrgyzstan to India and reverse is the issue of transportation. The completion of the transport corridor INSTC (providing the route for the delivery of goods from the seaport of Mumbai (India) to the port of Chabahar (Iran) will expand the opportunities and improve the economic situation of the country. It would be a good help to India, too. We can export our agrarian products such as Kyrgyz ghee (yellow oil) that Indian people use in their food, it has excellent quality and taste. When my Indian friends have tasted it, they were definitely been very excited. We can also suggest white honey, dry fruits to our Indian friends.

Indian experience can help us, says SCO chair Kyrgyzstan

No meeting has been planned between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan PM Imran Khan at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Kyrgyzstan's capital Bishkek, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday. Watch this video to know more.

India: No Modi-Imran meet at SCO Summit

Modi to kick-off 2nd tenure with visit to Maldives and in end of June he will attend SCO Summit in Kyrgyzstan.

Modi to visit Maldives and Sri Lanka next month

The Indian High Commission in Islamabad has organised an Iftar party on &nbsp;June 1 and has extended an invitation to Pakistani leadership including Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Other invited Pakistani dignitaries include the Pakistani President Arif Alvi, the foreign secretary Sohail Mahmood, Senate Chairman and the speaker of the national assembly.&nbsp;

The mission invites all dignitaries each year and normally Prime Minister never comes.

Ties between India and Pakistan are frayed in the aftermath Pulwama terror attack. On Sunday, Imran Khan called India's Prime Minister-elect <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/road-ahead-for-pm-narendra-modi-222133">Narendra Modi</a> and congratulated him on his re-election.

During the conversation, PM-designate Modi "stressed that creating trust and an environment free of violence and terrorism" which is "essential for fostering cooperation for peace, progress and prosperity in our region," the ministry of external affairs said.

Sunday's call was the first conversation between the two leaders after the Pulwama terror attack on February 14 in which more than 40 Indian security personnel had died. Pakistan based and United Nations listed terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed took responsibility for the attack.

Meanwhile, no invitation has been extended to Imran Khan for the oath-taking ceremony of Narendra Modi on May 30.

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in the second week of June will be the first time both leaders will be under the same roof, though it is not confirmed whether they will meet.

The Indian High Commission in Islamabad has organised an Iftar party on June 1 and has extended an invitation to Pakistani leadership including Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The Indian High Commission in Islamabad has organised an Iftar party on June 1 and has extended an invitation to Pakistani leadership including Prime Minister Imran Khan. Other invited Pakistani dignitaries include the Pakistani President Arif Alvi, the foreign secretary Sohail Mahmood, Senate Chairman and the speaker of the national assembly. The mission invites all dignitaries each year and normally Prime Minister never comes. Ties between India and Pakistan are frayed in the aftermath Pulwama terror attack. On Sunday, Imran Khan called India's Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi and congratulated him on his re-election. During the conversation, PM-designate Modi "stressed that creating trust and an environment free of violence and terrorism" which is "essential for fostering cooperation for peace, progress and prosperity in our region," the ministry of external affairs said. Sunday's call was the first conversation between the two leaders after the Pulwama terror attack on February 14 in which more than 40 Indian security personnel had died. Pakistan based and United Nations listed terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed took responsibility for the attack. Meanwhile, no invitation has been extended to Imran Khan for the oath-taking ceremony of Narendra Modi on May 30. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in the second week of June will be the first time both leaders will be under the same roof, though it is not confirmed whether they will meet.

India mission in Pakistan invites Imran Khan to Iftar party on June 1

After taking over as the prime minister in his second term, Narendra Modi's first visit will be a country in the neighbourhood but it will not be in Bhutan. The visit will take place in early June.

During Modi's first tenure as the prime minister, his first visit was to Bhutan in June 2014.&nbsp;

PM Modi will have seven foreign visits scheduled in the next seven months, Kyrgyzstan, Japan, France, Russia, Thailand, Brazil and a country in the neighbourhood.&nbsp;

The visits will see him interact with global leaders and see a consolidation of his foreign policy actions and gains from his first term.

June: Kyrgyzstan, Japan

Other than a visit to a South Asian country, June will see two more major visits. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation or SCO summit from June 13 to 15 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan and the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan which will begin from June 28 to 29.

The SCO includes Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan as well as India and Pakistan. The SCO summit will be the first time PM Modi and his Pakistani counterpart &nbsp;Imran Khan will be under the same roof and the big question will be if they will meet.&nbsp;

There hasn't been any formal dialogue between India and Pakistan since years now. The last time India took initiative was on December 25 in 2015 when PM Modi landed in Lahore. But, days after India's initiative, Pathankot attack happened which resulted in the breakdown of Indo-Pak ties.&nbsp;

The SCO summit could also see the first meet between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping since the listing of Masood Azhar, chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed, a terrorist organisation.

In 2018, Modi-Xi met four times, starting with the famous informal summit in Wuhan, China. The Chinese president will be visiting India this year for the second informal summit.&nbsp;

G20 summit in Japan will also serve as the first major platform for PM Modi to meet global leaders including a likely meet with US President Donald Trump.&nbsp;

In 2018, during the G20 meet in Argentina, PM Modi met Donald Trump as part of a trilateral, Japan, America and India (JAI), in which Japanese PM Shinzo Abe was also present.&nbsp;

Another trilateral, Russia, India, China (RIC) saw the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping along with PM Modi.&nbsp;

Both the trilaterals&nbsp;are expected to meet this time as well.

August: France

This will be followed by participation of Indian PM at the G7 summit in Biarritz, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France from August 25 to 27.&nbsp;

India has been invited by France, which is the chair this time, to participate at the G7 summit. During his congratulatory call to PM Modi on Thursday, French President Macron reiterated his invitation to visit France in August for a bilateral meeting and also to attend the G7 Summit at Biarritz.

In 2005, India was present at the G7 summit with participation of the then Indian PM Manmohan Singh. &nbsp;The G7 group consists of US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Japan &amp; Italy.

September: Russia

In September, PM Modi is going to Russia to participate in the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in the far eastern city of Vladivostok from September 4 to 6.&nbsp;

PM Modi has spoken to Putin three times in 2019, the first time on January 1 and the second time on January 28 during which the latter extended the invitation for the EEF. On Thursday Putin called Modi third time to congratulate him for his landslide victory in country's 17 Lok Sabha polls. 
&nbsp; 
On January 1, a Russian government official readout the first phone conversation between Putin and Modi in which it was stated, "The President of Russia invited the Prime Minister of India to take part in the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok in September 2019 as the main guest."

During PM Modi's second term he might also go for the United Nations General Assembly in New York that starts on September 17 and ends on September 30.&nbsp;

November: Thailand, Brazil

November will see PM Modi going to Bangkok for the East Asia Summit which takes place on third of that month followed by BRICS summit in Brazil from 11-13 November.

Four leaders, Japan's PM Shinzo Abe, Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel, Putin and &nbsp;Xi Jinping are scheduled to visit India.

After taking over as the prime minister in his second term, Narendra Modi's first visit will be a country in the neighbourhood but it will not be in Bhutan. The visit will take place in early June.

After taking over as the prime minister in his second term, Narendra Modi's first visit will be a country in the neighbourhood but it will not be in Bhutan. The visit will take place in early June. During Modi's first tenure as the prime minister, his first visit was to Bhutan in June 2014. PM Modi will have seven foreign visits scheduled in the next seven months, Kyrgyzstan, Japan, France, Russia, Thailand, Brazil and a country in the neighbourhood. The visits will see him interact with global leaders and see a consolidation of his foreign policy actions and gains from his first term. June: Kyrgyzstan, Japan Other than a visit to a South Asian country, June will see two more major visits. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation or SCO summit from June 13 to 15 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan and the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan which will begin from June 28 to 29. The SCO includes Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan as well as India and Pakistan. The SCO summit will be the first time PM Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan will be under the same roof and the big question will be if they will meet. There hasn't been any formal dialogue between India and Pakistan since years now. The last time India took initiative was on December 25 in 2015 when PM Modi landed in Lahore. But, days after India's initiative, Pathankot attack happened which resulted in the breakdown of Indo-Pak ties. The SCO summit could also see the first meet between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping since the listing of Masood Azhar, chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed, a terrorist organisation. In 2018, Modi-Xi met four times, starting with the famous informal summit in Wuhan, China. The Chinese president will be visiting India this year for the second informal summit. G20 summit in Japan will also serve as the first major platform for PM Modi to meet global leaders including a likely meet with US President Donald Trump. In 2018, during the G20 meet in Argentina, PM Modi met Donald Trump as part of a trilateral, Japan, America and India (JAI), in which Japanese PM Shinzo Abe was also present. Another trilateral, Russia, India, China (RIC) saw the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping along with PM Modi. Both the trilaterals are expected to meet this time as well. August: France This will be followed by participation of Indian PM at the G7 summit in Biarritz, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France from August 25 to 27. India has been invited by France, which is the chair this time, to participate at the G7 summit. During his congratulatory call to PM Modi on Thursday, French President Macron reiterated his invitation to visit France in August for a bilateral meeting and also to attend the G7 Summit at Biarritz. In 2005, India was present at the G7 summit with participation of the then Indian PM Manmohan Singh. The G7 group consists of US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Japan & Italy. September: Russia In September, PM Modi is going to Russia to participate in the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in the far eastern city of Vladivostok from September 4 to 6. PM Modi has spoken to Putin three times in 2019, the first time on January 1 and the second time on January 28 during which the latter extended the invitation for the EEF. On Thursday Putin called Modi third time to congratulate him for his landslide victory in country's 17 Lok Sabha polls. On January 1, a Russian government official readout the first phone conversation between Putin and Modi in which it was stated, "The President of Russia invited the Prime Minister of India to take part in the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok in September 2019 as the main guest." During PM Modi's second term he might also go for the United Nations General Assembly in New York that starts on September 17 and ends on September 30. November: Thailand, Brazil November will see PM Modi going to Bangkok for the East Asia Summit which takes place on third of that month followed by BRICS summit in Brazil from 11-13 November. Four leaders, Japan's PM Shinzo Abe, Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel, Putin and Xi Jinping are scheduled to visit India.

Narendra Modi to visit a South Asian country in his first foreign tour in second term

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/pnb-nirav-modi-scam-nirav-modi-flees-to-uk-claiming-political-asylum-says-report-143547">PNB-Nirav Modi fraud: Diamond czar flees to </a><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/pnb-nirav-modi-scam-nirav-modi-flees-to-uk-claiming-political-asylum-says-report-143547">UK</a><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/pnb-nirav-modi-scam-nirav-modi-flees-to-uk-claiming-political-asylum-says-report-143547">, claims political asylum, says </a><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/pnb-nirav-modi-scam-nirav-modi-flees-to-uk-claiming-political-asylum-says-report-143547">report</a>

Police filed charges against more than 25 people in May including Modi, Choksi, former PNB chief Usha Ananthasubramanian.

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/currency-with-public-reaches-record-high-of-rs-185-lakh-crore-rbi-data-143561">Currency with public reaches </a><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/currency-with-public-reaches-record-high-of-rs-185-lakh-crore-rbi-data-143561">record</a><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/currency-with-public-reaches-record-high-of-rs-185-lakh-crore-rbi-data-143561"> high of Rs 18.5 lakh crore: RBI data</a>

The total currency put in circulation by the RBI has also doubled, reaching ti Rs 19.3 lakh crore from Rs 8.9 lakh crore after demonetisation.&nbsp;

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/thousands-protest-lynching-of-two-college-students-in-assam-143554">Thousands protest lynching of two college students in Assam</a>

The protestors, demanding speedy justice against lynching of two youths in Assam's Karbi Anglong district on Friday night, were subjected to lathicharge by the police.

<a href="http://wionews.com/photos/best-moments-from-french-open-2018-143551">In pictures: Best moments from French Open 2018</a>

From Serena Williams' come back to Novak Djokovic's shocking ouster, here are some magic moments from the French Open 2018

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/indian-movies-are-all-about-hips-and-boobs-priyanka-chopra--143570">Indian movies are all about 'hips and boobs:' Priyanka Chopra</a>

It was brought to notice that in an old video back from the 2016 Emmy Awards, Priyanka was asked by a red carpet reporter to show some Indian dance moves to which the actress said that the Indian movies are all about 'hips and boobs'

PNB-Nirav Modi fraud: Diamond czar flees to UK, claims political asylum, says report Police filed charges against more than 25 people in May including Modi, Choksi, former PNB chief Usha Ananthasubramanian. Currency with public reaches record high of Rs 18.5 lakh crore: RBI data The total currency put in circulation by the RBI has also doubled, reaching ti Rs 19.3 lakh crore from Rs 8.9 lakh crore after demonetisation. Thousands protest lynching of two college students in Assam The protestors, demanding speedy justice against lynching of two youths in Assam's Karbi Anglong district on Friday night, were subjected to lathicharge by the police. In pictures: Best moments from French Open 2018 From Serena Williams' come back to Novak Djokovic's shocking ouster, here are some magic moments from the French Open 2018 Indian movies are all about 'hips and boobs:' Priyanka Chopra It was brought to notice that in an old video back from the 2016 Emmy Awards, Priyanka was asked by a red carpet reporter to show some Indian dance moves to which the actress said that the Indian movies are all about 'hips and boobs'

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday called for increasing the momentum of trade and investment among the members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

Putin's official statement, released after the SCO summit came to an end, said that the SCO members were increasingly taking such steps to facilitate simplification of trade and economic cooperation.

"We are simplifying the mutual availability of goods and services, improving customs regulations, eliminating unnecessary administrative barriers, and implementing joint projects in energy, transport and agriculture," Putin said.

He then mentioned the first-ever meeting between the heads of the SCO member states, and a joint forum on small business practiced in the SCO and BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) to be held in Russia.

Putin further mentioned that the term of current Secretary-General of the SCO, Rashid Alimov, and Director of the Executive Committee of the RATS Yevgeny Sysoyev would end in 2019.

Another decision taken in the 2018 SCO summit was that Tajikistan would take over the annual presidency of the SCO and would look after the preparations for next year`s summit.&nbsp

'We are simplifying the mutual availability of goods and services, improving customs regulations, eliminating unnecessary administrative barriers, and implementing joint projects in energy, transport and agriculture,'Putin said

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday called for increasing the momentum of trade and investment among the members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Putin's official statement, released after the SCO summit came to an end, said that the SCO members were increasingly taking such steps to facilitate simplification of trade and economic cooperation. "We are simplifying the mutual availability of goods and services, improving customs regulations, eliminating unnecessary administrative barriers, and implementing joint projects in energy, transport and agriculture," Putin said. He then mentioned the first-ever meeting between the heads of the SCO member states, and a joint forum on small business practiced in the SCO and BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) to be held in Russia. Putin further mentioned that the term of current Secretary-General of the SCO, Rashid Alimov, and Director of the Executive Committee of the RATS Yevgeny Sysoyev would end in 2019. Another decision taken in the 2018 SCO summit was that Tajikistan would take over the annual presidency of the SCO and would look after the preparations for next year`s summit.

Putin calls for boosting trade ties among SCO members

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today that connectivity with the neighbourhood and in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) region is India's priority as he stressed that his country was committed to extend full cooperation to a successful outcome of the Summit.

Speaking at the restricted session of the SCO Summit + , Prime Minister Modi also floated the concept of SECURE: 'S' for security for citizens, 'E' for economic development, 'C' for connectivity in the region, 'U' for unity, 'R' for respect of sovereignty and integrity, and 'E for environment protection.

"We have again reached a stage where physical and digital connectivity is changing the definition of geography. Therefore, connectivity with our neighbourhood & in the SCO region is our priority," Modi said.

It is for the first time the Indian prime minister is attending the SCO summit after India along with Pakistan became full-fledged members of the grouping, jointly dominated by China and Russia, which has been increasingly seen as a counter to NATO.

Modi said India is committed to extend full cooperation to a successful outcome of the Summit.

Noting that only 6 per cent of foreign tourists in India are from SCO countries, the prime minister said this can easily be doubled.

"Increasing awareness of our shared cultures can help boost this number. We will organise an SCO food festival and a Buddhist festival in India," he said.&nbsp;

Citing Afghanistan as an "unfortunate example" of effect of terrorism, Modi said he hoped the brave steps towards peace taken by President Ashraf Ghani will be respected by all in the region, apparently referring to a cease-fire announced by the Afghan leader for the Eid festival.

The SCO currently has eight member countries which represents around 42 per cent of the world's population and 20 per cent of the global GDP.

Besides Modi, other leaders attending the summit include Chinese President Xi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain.

The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan became its members last year.

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Intervention by PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> at the Plenary Session of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SCOSummit?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SCOSummit</a>: "We have again reached a stage where physical and digital connectivity is changing the definition of geography. Therefore, connectivity with our neighbourhood & in the SCO region is our priority" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndiainSCO?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiainSCO</a> <a href="https://t.co/NA5gWjHHxM">pic.twitter.com/NA5gWjHHxM</a>
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1005655570953584640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
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PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> at the restricted session of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SCOSummit?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SCOSummit</a>. India is committed to extend full cooperation to a successful outcome of the Summit. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndiainSCO?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiainSCO</a> <a href="https://t.co/2ujfpgSikV">pic.twitter.com/2ujfpgSikV</a>
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1005641541648412672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Speaking at the restricted session of the SCO Summit + , Prime Minister Modi also floated the concept of SECURE: 'S' for security for citizens, 'E' for economic development, 'C' for connectivity in the region, 'U' for unity, 'R' for respect of sovereignty and integrity, and 'E for environment protection

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today that connectivity with the neighbourhood and in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) region is India's priority as he stressed that his country was committed to extend full cooperation to a successful outcome of the Summit. Speaking at the restricted session of the SCO Summit + , Prime Minister Modi also floated the concept of SECURE: 'S' for security for citizens, 'E' for economic development, 'C' for connectivity in the region, 'U' for unity, 'R' for respect of sovereignty and integrity, and 'E for environment protection. "We have again reached a stage where physical and digital connectivity is changing the definition of geography. Therefore, connectivity with our neighbourhood & in the SCO region is our priority," Modi said. It is for the first time the Indian prime minister is attending the SCO summit after India along with Pakistan became full-fledged members of the grouping, jointly dominated by China and Russia, which has been increasingly seen as a counter to NATO. Modi said India is committed to extend full cooperation to a successful outcome of the Summit. Noting that only 6 per cent of foreign tourists in India are from SCO countries, the prime minister said this can easily be doubled. "Increasing awareness of our shared cultures can help boost this number. We will organise an SCO food festival and a Buddhist festival in India," he said. Citing Afghanistan as an "unfortunate example" of effect of terrorism, Modi said he hoped the brave steps towards peace taken by President Ashraf Ghani will be respected by all in the region, apparently referring to a cease-fire announced by the Afghan leader for the Eid festival. The SCO currently has eight member countries which represents around 42 per cent of the world's population and 20 per cent of the global GDP. Besides Modi, other leaders attending the summit include Chinese President Xi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain. The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan became its members last year. Intervention by PM @narendramodi at the Plenary Session of #SCOSummit: "We have again reached a stage where physical and digital connectivity is changing the definition of geography. Therefore, connectivity with our neighbourhood & in the SCO region is our priority" #IndiainSCO pic.twitter.com/NA5gWjHHxM — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) June 10, 2018 × PM @narendramodi at the restricted session of the #SCOSummit. India is committed to extend full cooperation to a successful outcome of the Summit. #IndiainSCO pic.twitter.com/2ujfpgSikV — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) June 10, 2018 ×

Connectivity with neighbourhood and in SCO region India's priority: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed the plenary session on the second day of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.&nbsp;

"Afghanistan is an unfortunate example of the effect of terrorism. I hope the brave steps towards peace taken by President Ghani will be respected by all in the region," PM Modi said at the summit.

"Only 6% of foreign tourists in India are from SCO countries, this can easily be doubled. Increasing awareness of our shared cultures can help boost this number. We will organize an SCO food festival and a Buddhist festival in India," he added.

"We have again reached a stage where physical and digital connectivity is changing the definition of geography. Therefore, connectivity with our neighbourhood & in the SCO region is our priority," PM said.

On Saturday, PM Modi also attended bilateral meetings with several heads of states, including Chinese President Xi Jinping in Qingdao.&nbsp;

The bilateral meeting with the Chinese President came just over a month after the two leaders met for an informal summit in China’s Wuhan.&nbsp;

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Only 6% of foreign tourists in India are from SCO countries, this can easily be doubled. Increasing awareness of our shared cultures can help boost this number.We will organize a SCO food festival and a Buddhist festival in India: PM Modi at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SCOSummit?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SCOSummit</a> in China's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Qingdao?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Qingdao</a> <a href="https://t.co/0D2P8PXcJX">pic.twitter.com/0D2P8PXcJX</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1005655039015247872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Modi floated the concept of SECURE: ‘S’ for security for citizens, ‘E’ for economic development, ‘C’ for connectivity in the region, ‘U’ for unity, ‘R’ for respect of sovereignty, ‘E’ for environment protection.

This is India's first participation in the summit as a full-time member of the organisation.&nbsp;

India, along with Pakistan, became full-time members during Astana Summit in Kazakhstan in June 2017.

PM Modi is on a two-day visit to China as part of which he will be attending the SCO summit and will hold multiple meetings with other SCO leaders.

Member-countries, including India, Pakistan, China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, are expected to sign the Qingdao Declaration, after the deliberations.

India and China on Saturday, 9 June, signed two Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) related to sharing of hydrological information on Brahmaputra and export on non-Basmati rice to China following the talks between PM Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Qingdao.

India, along with Pakistan, became full-time members during Astana Summit in Kazakhstan in June 2017.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed the plenary session on the second day of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. "Afghanistan is an unfortunate example of the effect of terrorism. I hope the brave steps towards peace taken by President Ghani will be respected by all in the region," PM Modi said at the summit. "Only 6% of foreign tourists in India are from SCO countries, this can easily be doubled. Increasing awareness of our shared cultures can help boost this number. We will organize an SCO food festival and a Buddhist festival in India," he added. "We have again reached a stage where physical and digital connectivity is changing the definition of geography. Therefore, connectivity with our neighbourhood & in the SCO region is our priority," PM said. On Saturday, PM Modi also attended bilateral meetings with several heads of states, including Chinese President Xi Jinping in Qingdao. The bilateral meeting with the Chinese President came just over a month after the two leaders met for an informal summit in China’s Wuhan. Only 6% of foreign tourists in India are from SCO countries, this can easily be doubled. Increasing awareness of our shared cultures can help boost this number.We will organize a SCO food festival and a Buddhist festival in India: PM Modi at #SCOSummit in China's #Qingdao pic.twitter.com/0D2P8PXcJX — ANI (@ANI) June 10, 2018 × Modi floated the concept of SECURE: ‘S’ for security for citizens, ‘E’ for economic development, ‘C’ for connectivity in the region, ‘U’ for unity, ‘R’ for respect of sovereignty, ‘E’ for environment protection. This is India's first participation in the summit as a full-time member of the organisation. India, along with Pakistan, became full-time members during Astana Summit in Kazakhstan in June 2017. PM Modi is on a two-day visit to China as part of which he will be attending the SCO summit and will hold multiple meetings with other SCO leaders. Member-countries, including India, Pakistan, China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, are expected to sign the Qingdao Declaration, after the deliberations. India and China on Saturday, 9 June, signed two Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) related to sharing of hydrological information on Brahmaputra and export on non-Basmati rice to China following the talks between PM Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Qingdao.

Afghanistan is an unfortunate example of effect of terrorism: PM Modi at SCO summit in China

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/government-of-india-looking-for-10-joint-secretaries-from-private-sector-143468">Government</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/government-of-india-looking-for-10-joint-secretaries-from-private-sector-143468"> of India looking for 10 Joint Secretaries from </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/government-of-india-looking-for-10-joint-secretaries-from-private-sector-143468">private</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/government-of-india-looking-for-10-joint-secretaries-from-private-sector-143468"> sector</a>

"Government is looking for ten (10) outstanding individuals with expertise in the areas of Revenue, Financial Services, Economic Affairs, Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers’ Welfare, Road Transport & Highways, Shipping, Environment, Forests and Climate Change, New & Renewable Energy, Civil Aviation and Commerce," a notification from the Department of Personnel and Training said.&nbsp

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-arrives-in-singapore-ahead-of-unprecedented-us-north-korea-summit-143496">Trump arrives in Singapore for </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-arrives-in-singapore-ahead-of-unprecedented-us-north-korea-summit-143496">summit</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-arrives-in-singapore-ahead-of-unprecedented-us-north-korea-summit-143496"> with North Korea's Kim Jong-Un</a>

US President Donald Trump arrived in Singapore on Sunday ahead of a historic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un over the future of Pyongyang’s nuclear arsenal.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/we-shouldnt-make-mountain-out-of-a-molehill-tejashwi-yadav-on-his-brothers-allegations--143463">Shouldn't make </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/we-shouldnt-make-mountain-out-of-a-molehill-tejashwi-yadav-on-his-brothers-allegations--143463">mountain</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/we-shouldnt-make-mountain-out-of-a-molehill-tejashwi-yadav-on-his-brothers-allegations--143463"> out of </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/we-shouldnt-make-mountain-out-of-a-molehill-tejashwi-yadav-on-his-brothers-allegations--143463">molehill</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/we-shouldnt-make-mountain-out-of-a-molehill-tejashwi-yadav-on-his-brothers-allegations--143463">: Tejashwi Yadav on brother's allegation he is being sidelined</a>

A day after Tej Pratap accused his younger brother of trying to sideline him in the party, Leader of Opposition and former deputy chief minister of Bihar Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday downplayed the controversy and said that his brother spoke about how to unify and strengthen ''our party ahead of 2019 (general election) & 2020 (Bihar assembly election)''.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/-india-refuses-to-endorse-chinese-president-xi-jinpings-obor-at-qingdao-declaration--143467">SCO Summit: India only member country to not endorse China's OBOR project</a>

India on Sunday declined to endorse Chinese President Xi Jinping’s pet One Belt, One Road (OBOR) project as part of a joint declaration at the 18th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Qingdao, the only member in the eight-nation bloc to do so, according to reports.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-ban-bangladesh-beat-india-to-lift-their-maiden-womens-asia-cup-trophy-143459">Bangladesh beat India to lift maiden Women's Asia Cup trophy</a>

Bangladesh outplayed India and defeated the women's in blue in the finals of Women's Asia Cup T20 to clinch the trophy on Sunday at the Kinrara Academy Oval.

&nbsp

Government of India looking for 10 Joint Secretaries from private sector "Government is looking for ten (10) outstanding individuals with expertise in the areas of Revenue, Financial Services, Economic Affairs, Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers’ Welfare, Road Transport & Highways, Shipping, Environment, Forests and Climate Change, New & Renewable Energy, Civil Aviation and Commerce," a notification from the Department of Personnel and Training said. Trump arrives in Singapore for summit with North Korea's Kim Jong-Un US President Donald Trump arrived in Singapore on Sunday ahead of a historic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un over the future of Pyongyang’s nuclear arsenal. Shouldn't make mountain out of molehill: Tejashwi Yadav on brother's allegation he is being sidelined A day after Tej Pratap accused his younger brother of trying to sideline him in the party, Leader of Opposition and former deputy chief minister of Bihar Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday downplayed the controversy and said that his brother spoke about how to unify and strengthen ''our party ahead of 2019 (general election) & 2020 (Bihar assembly election)''. SCO Summit: India only member country to not endorse China's OBOR project India on Sunday declined to endorse Chinese President Xi Jinping’s pet One Belt, One Road (OBOR) project as part of a joint declaration at the 18th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Qingdao, the only member in the eight-nation bloc to do so, according to reports. Bangladesh beat India to lift maiden Women's Asia Cup trophy Bangladesh outplayed India and defeated the women's in blue in the finals of Women's Asia Cup T20 to clinch the trophy on Sunday at the Kinrara Academy Oval.

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