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'

In a gesture to boycott Pakistan, PM Modi avoids Paksitan's airspace to reach bishkek to attend SCO Summit. Air India 1 reaches Bishkek via Oman and not over Pakistan.

PM Modi's Air India 1 boycotts Pakistan airspace, took Oman route for Bishkek

Prime Minister Narendra Modi leaves for Kyrgyzstan to attend SCO Summit but boycotted Pakistan airspace is a big news. The Summit organised in Bishkek will be witnessing world leaders and is expected to focus more on economic cooperation and regional peace. Post SCO summit, PM Modi will hold 3 bilateral meeting.

PM Modi to hold 3 bilateral meets today

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

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

PM Modi will be meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and Kyrgyzstan's President Sooronbay Jeenbekov.

The Indian prime minister will be landing in the central<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-leaves-for-sco-summit-in-kyrgyzstan-avoids-pakistan-airspace-226690"> Asian country post-2:30pm (IST) </a>and will have bilateral talks with leaders of China, Russia and Afghanistan today and an informal dinner with President Sooronbay Jeenbekov of Kyrgyzstan.

On the first day, PM Modi will be meeting&nbsp;Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This will be his first meeting with Chinese President Xi this year and first meet since the listing of Masood Azhar as an international terrorist by the United Nations. Later this year the Chinese President will be visiting India for the second informal summit.&nbsp;

With Iran, focus will be on import of Iranian oil as the US has done away with&nbsp;waivers after sanctions came into effect.

This is the first multilateral summit PM Modi will be attending after the elections.

In a pre-departure statement ahead of SCO summit, PM said, "We attach special importance to SCO in promoting multilateral, political, security, economic and people-to-people interaction in the region."

PM Modi will not be using the Pakistani airspace for his Kyrgyzstan visit and will be using airspace of Oman, Iran and central Asian countries to reach the country.

Air India has confirmed that the route does not cross Pakistani airspace in any way. India had explored two options for the route to be taken by PM's aircraft to Bishkek.&nbsp;

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 will be meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and Kyrgyzstan's President Sooronbay Jeenbekov.

PM Modi will be meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and Kyrgyzstan's President Sooronbay Jeenbekov. The Indian prime minister will be landing in the central Asian country post-2:30pm (IST) and will have bilateral talks with leaders of China, Russia and Afghanistan today and an informal dinner with President Sooronbay Jeenbekov of Kyrgyzstan. On the first day, PM Modi will be meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This will be his first meeting with Chinese President Xi this year and first meet since the listing of Masood Azhar as an international terrorist by the United Nations. Later this year the Chinese President will be visiting India for the second informal summit. With Iran, focus will be on import of Iranian oil as the US has done away with waivers after sanctions came into effect. This is the first multilateral summit PM Modi will be attending after the elections. In a pre-departure statement ahead of SCO summit, PM said, "We attach special importance to SCO in promoting multilateral, political, security, economic and people-to-people interaction in the region." PM Modi will not be using the Pakistani airspace for his Kyrgyzstan visit and will be using airspace of Oman, Iran and central Asian countries to reach the country. Air India has confirmed that the route does not cross Pakistani airspace in any way. India had explored two options for the route to be taken by PM's aircraft to Bishkek. 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.

SCO summit: PM Modi set to meet President Xi, Putin today

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eye-on-china-us-government-seeks-more-funding-from-congress-to-bolster-bay-of-bengal-military-security-226703">Eye on China: US government seeks more funding from Congress to bolster Bay of Bengal military security</a>

With an eye on countering increasing Chinese influence in key&nbsp;South Asian countries, the Trump administration has sought $30 million for what it has described as "Bay of Bengal" security initiative to provide foreign military financing to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the Maldives.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-defence-budget-unchanged-says-minister-documents-show-45-increase-226697">Pakistan's defence budget 'unchanged', says minister; documents show 4.5% increase</a>

The Pakistan government claimed that its defence budget was kept unchanged at Rs 1,152,535 million&nbsp;for next fiscal (2019-20), but the official documents showed that there was nominal increase of 4.5 per cent in the defence expenditure as compared to the last year.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/we-need-to-overcome-mistakes-to-beat-india-says-sarfaraz-after-australia-defeat-226683">We need to overcome mistakes to beat India, says Sarfaraz after Australia defeat</a>

Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed said his side's needs to raise their fielding standards ahead of a crucial World Cup match against arch-rivals India at Old Trafford on Sunday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-state-media-blames-hong-kong-protests-on-lawlessness-226680">China state media blames Hong Kong protests on 'lawlessness'</a>

Protests in Hong Kong&nbsp;over planned new extradition laws with China are "hammering" the city`s reputation, with outbreaks of "lawlessness" undermining rule of law, Chinese state media said in editorials published on Thursday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/modi-hai-to-mumkin-hai-says-pompeo-ahead-of-india-visit-226682">Modi 'hai to mumkin hai', says Pompeo ahead of India visit</a>

Citing the popular election slogan "Modi hai to mumkin hai", US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has sought to take the bilateral relationship with India to the next level and said the Trump and Modi administrations have a "unique opportunity" to make it happen.

Eye on China: US government seeks more funding from Congress to bolster Bay of Bengal military security With an eye on countering increasing Chinese influence in key South Asian countries, the Trump administration has sought $30 million for what it has described as "Bay of Bengal" security initiative to provide foreign military financing to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the Maldives.

Eye on China: US government seeks more funding from Congress to bolster Bay of Bengal military security With an eye on countering increasing Chinese influence in key South Asian countries, the Trump administration has sought $30 million for what it has described as "Bay of Bengal" security initiative to provide foreign military financing to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the Maldives. Pakistan's defence budget 'unchanged', says minister; documents show 4.5% increase The Pakistan government claimed that its defence budget was kept unchanged at Rs 1,152,535 million for next fiscal (2019-20), but the official documents showed that there was nominal increase of 4.5 per cent in the defence expenditure as compared to the last year. We need to overcome mistakes to beat India, says Sarfaraz after Australia defeat Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed said his side's needs to raise their fielding standards ahead of a crucial World Cup match against arch-rivals India at Old Trafford on Sunday. China state media blames Hong Kong protests on 'lawlessness' Protests in Hong Kong over planned new extradition laws with China are "hammering" the city`s reputation, with outbreaks of "lawlessness" undermining rule of law, Chinese state media said in editorials published on Thursday. Modi 'hai to mumkin hai', says Pompeo ahead of India visit Citing the popular election slogan "Modi hai to mumkin hai", US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has sought to take the bilateral relationship with India to the next level and said the Trump and Modi administrations have a "unique opportunity" to make it happen.

News brief: Big stories of the day

A day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan land in the Kyrgyz Republic’s capital, it’s cloudy in Bishkek and five Indian medical students are posing for photos in front of an imposing Soviet-era building that houses the state history museum at Ala-Too Square in the heart of the city.

PM Modi leaves for Kyrgyzstan to attend SCO Summit

PM Modi left for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Thursday morning.

The Indian prime minister's aircraft will be <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-not-to-fly-over-pak-airspace-for-sco-summit-226462">avoiding the Pakistan airspace</a>. The plane will fly over Oman, Iran and several central Asian countries to reach the Kyrgyz capital. &nbsp;

The was announcement made on Wednesday even<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-requests-pakistan-to-let-pm-modis-flight-pass-through-its-airspace-225685"> as Pakistan said it will "specially"</a> open its airspace for the flight of Prime Minister Modi to Bishkek to attend the SCO summit.

If PM Modi had flown over Pakistan it would have taken three-and-a-half hours to reach Bishkek and now it will take about seven hours for the journey, officials said.

The decision also came over a week after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi wrote separate letters to their Indian counterparts, pushing for restarting bilateral talks.

India has not been engaging with Pakistan since an attack on the Air Force base at Pathankot in January of 2016 by a Pakistan-based terror group, maintaining that talks and terror cannot go together.&nbsp;

Pakistan PM Imran Khan will also be attending the summit, however, PM Modi and Pak PM Imran Khan are not slated to meet at Bishkek.

Last month, Pakistan had given special permission to the then external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj to fly through Pakistani airspace while travelling to Bishkek to attend a meeting of SCO Foreign Ministers.

Pakistan fully closed its airspace on February 26 after the Indian Air Force struck a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist training camp in Balakot.&nbsp;

Since then, it has only opened two routes, both of them pass through southern Pakistan, of the total 11.

On its part, the IAF announced on May 31 that all temporary restrictions imposed on Indian airspace post the Balakot airstrike have been removed.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

PM Modi left for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Thursday morning. The Indian prime minister's aircraft will be avoiding the Pakistan airspace.

PM Modi left for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Thursday morning. The Indian prime minister's aircraft will be avoiding the Pakistan airspace. The plane will fly over Oman, Iran and several central Asian countries to reach the Kyrgyz capital. The was announcement made on Wednesday even as Pakistan said it will "specially" open its airspace for the flight of Prime Minister Modi to Bishkek to attend the SCO summit. If PM Modi had flown over Pakistan it would have taken three-and-a-half hours to reach Bishkek and now it will take about seven hours for the journey, officials said. The decision also came over a week after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi wrote separate letters to their Indian counterparts, pushing for restarting bilateral talks. India has not been engaging with Pakistan since an attack on the Air Force base at Pathankot in January of 2016 by a Pakistan-based terror group, maintaining that talks and terror cannot go together. Pakistan PM Imran Khan will also be attending the summit, however, PM Modi and Pak PM Imran Khan are not slated to meet at Bishkek. Last month, Pakistan had given special permission to the then external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj to fly through Pakistani airspace while travelling to Bishkek to attend a meeting of SCO Foreign Ministers. Pakistan fully closed its airspace on February 26 after the Indian Air Force struck a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist training camp in Balakot. Since then, it has only opened two routes, both of them pass through southern Pakistan, of the total 11. On its part, the IAF announced on May 31 that all temporary restrictions imposed on Indian airspace post the Balakot airstrike have been removed.

PM Modi leaves for SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan; avoids Pakistan airspace

Russian President Vladimir Putin also meets PM Modi today. PM Modi will visit Vladivostok later this year. Watch this video to know more.

19th SCO Summit: PM Modi meets Russian President Vladimir Putin

Citing the popular election slogan "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modis-two-day-visit-to-kyrgyzstan-begins-from-thursday-will-meet-xi-putin-226559">Modi hai to mumkin hai</a>", US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has sought to take the bilateral relationship with India to the next level and said the Trump and Modi administrations have a "unique opportunity" to make it happen.

"As Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi said in his latest campaign, 'Modi hai to mumkin hai,' or 'Modi makes it possible', I'm looking forward to exploring what's possible between our people," Pompeo said in his major India policy speech at the India Ideas Summit of US-India Business Council on Wednesday.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-sco-opportunities-challenges-for-india-226666/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Very much looking forward to his trip to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ahead-of-sco-summit-member-countries-say-india-has-important-role-to-play-226250">New Delhi later this month</a>, and meeting Modi, and his new counterpart, external affairs minister S Jaishankar, Pompeo listed out some of the "big ideas and big opportunities" that can take the bilateral relationship to a new level.

Giving a sneak preview of his India mission, he said he truly believes the two nations have a unique opportunity to move forward together for the good of their peoples, the Indo-Pacific region, and the world.

Pompeo will travel to India, Sri Lanka, Japan and South Korea from June 24 to 30. His four-nation is aimed at deepening US partnerships in the strategic Indo-Pacific region.

Pompeo said under President Donald Trump, the US has taken defence cooperation to newer heights, solidified their common vision for the Indo-Pacific and taken a far tougher stand on Pakistan's unacceptable support for terrorism.

Now the Trump and Modi Administrations have a "unique opportunity to take this special partnership even further", Pompeo said he has a strong partner in his new counterpart, Jaishankar, a former ambassador to the United States.

"He said in a speech in April that he's ready to cultivate warmer relations with America and the feeling is mutual. We want to move ahead," he said and enumerated how that can be done.

First, the two countries have to build ever-stronger relationships, he said.

"Forging strong ties means formalising these individual friendships. Last year, we kicked off the '2+2 dialogue' alongside the Department of Defence. We've also reinvigorated the Quad Dialogue among India, the United States, Japan, and Australia, all like-minded democracies in the Indo-Pacific. These are all good steps," he said.

India and the US, he said, must embrace the strategic framework that works for both the nations.&nbsp;

"We respect India as a sovereign power, with its own unique politics and strategic challenges. We realise it's different to deal with the likes of China or Pakistan from across an ocean than across a border," he said.

Making a strong case for a free and open Indo-Pacific, he said it starts from the premise that the two share common values of democracy, freedom, and a belief in the ingenuity of the human spirit. "It's only natural that the world's most populous democracy should partner with the world's oldest democracy to maintain their shared vision for the Indo-Pacific."

"Third, we have to deliver," Pompeo said.

The Trump Administration has already enabled American companies to export more high technology items to India, including cutting-edge defence platforms like armed UAVs and ballistic missile defence systems. "We've already launched the Asia-EDGE programme, to help India raise private capital to meet its energy security and access needs," he said.

"These are solid achievements, but we want to do much more. We clearly have overlapping interests in defence, energy, and space," said the top American diplomat.

Pompeo said the first batch of India's Apache helicopters are coming off Boeing's production line in Arizona. Lockheed Martins F-21 and Boeing's F/A-18 are state-of-the-art fighters that could give India the capabilities it needs to become a full-fledged security provider in the strategic Indo-Pacific region.

"On energy, we want to complete the Westinghouse civil nuclear project, and deliver more American LNG and crude," he said adding that these steps will give Indians reliable and abundant energy and help reduce dependence on regimes like Iran and Venezuela.

On space, NASA is already working with the Indian Space Research Organisation on the world's most advanced earth-observation satellite and India's second lunar mission. 
But differences remain in some of the key trade and business issues, he acknowledged.&nbsp;

"But we remain open to dialogue and hope our Indian friends will drop their trade barriers and trust in the competitiveness of their exporters and private-sector companies," he said.

Pompeo said the US will also push for the free flow of data across borders, not just to help American companies but to protect data and ensure consumer privacy. 
The US is eager to help India establish secure communications networks including 5G networks, he said.

Citing the popular election slogan "Modi hai to mumkin hai", US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has sought to take the bilateral relationship with India to the next level and said the Trump and Modi administrations have a "unique opportunity" to make it happen.

Citing the popular election slogan "Modi hai to mumkin hai", US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has sought to take the bilateral relationship with India to the next level and said the Trump and Modi administrations have a "unique opportunity" to make it happen. "As Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi said in his latest campaign, 'Modi hai to mumkin hai,' or 'Modi makes it possible', I'm looking forward to exploring what's possible between our people," Pompeo said in his major India policy speech at the India Ideas Summit of US-India Business Council on Wednesday. Very much looking forward to his trip to New Delhi later this month, and meeting Modi, and his new counterpart, external affairs minister S Jaishankar, Pompeo listed out some of the "big ideas and big opportunities" that can take the bilateral relationship to a new level. Giving a sneak preview of his India mission, he said he truly believes the two nations have a unique opportunity to move forward together for the good of their peoples, the Indo-Pacific region, and the world. Pompeo will travel to India, Sri Lanka, Japan and South Korea from June 24 to 30. His four-nation is aimed at deepening US partnerships in the strategic Indo-Pacific region. Pompeo said under President Donald Trump, the US has taken defence cooperation to newer heights, solidified their common vision for the Indo-Pacific and taken a far tougher stand on Pakistan's unacceptable support for terrorism. Now the Trump and Modi Administrations have a "unique opportunity to take this special partnership even further", Pompeo said he has a strong partner in his new counterpart, Jaishankar, a former ambassador to the United States. "He said in a speech in April that he's ready to cultivate warmer relations with America and the feeling is mutual. We want to move ahead," he said and enumerated how that can be done. First, the two countries have to build ever-stronger relationships, he said. "Forging strong ties means formalising these individual friendships. Last year, we kicked off the '2+2 dialogue' alongside the Department of Defence. We've also reinvigorated the Quad Dialogue among India, the United States, Japan, and Australia, all like-minded democracies in the Indo-Pacific. These are all good steps," he said. India and the US, he said, must embrace the strategic framework that works for both the nations. "We respect India as a sovereign power, with its own unique politics and strategic challenges. We realise it's different to deal with the likes of China or Pakistan from across an ocean than across a border," he said. Making a strong case for a free and open Indo-Pacific, he said it starts from the premise that the two share common values of democracy, freedom, and a belief in the ingenuity of the human spirit. "It's only natural that the world's most populous democracy should partner with the world's oldest democracy to maintain their shared vision for the Indo-Pacific." "Third, we have to deliver," Pompeo said. The Trump Administration has already enabled American companies to export more high technology items to India, including cutting-edge defence platforms like armed UAVs and ballistic missile defence systems. "We've already launched the Asia-EDGE programme, to help India raise private capital to meet its energy security and access needs," he said. "These are solid achievements, but we want to do much more. We clearly have overlapping interests in defence, energy, and space," said the top American diplomat. Pompeo said the first batch of India's Apache helicopters are coming off Boeing's production line in Arizona. Lockheed Martins F-21 and Boeing's F/A-18 are state-of-the-art fighters that could give India the capabilities it needs to become a full-fledged security provider in the strategic Indo-Pacific region. "On energy, we want to complete the Westinghouse civil nuclear project, and deliver more American LNG and crude," he said adding that these steps will give Indians reliable and abundant energy and help reduce dependence on regimes like Iran and Venezuela. On space, NASA is already working with the Indian Space Research Organisation on the world's most advanced earth-observation satellite and India's second lunar mission. But differences remain in some of the key trade and business issues, he acknowledged. "But we remain open to dialogue and hope our Indian friends will drop their trade barriers and trust in the competitiveness of their exporters and private-sector companies," he said. Pompeo said the US will also push for the free flow of data across borders, not just to help American companies but to protect data and ensure consumer privacy. The US is eager to help India establish secure communications networks including 5G networks, he said.

Modi 'hai to mumkin hai', says Pompeo ahead of India visit

India-China to mark 70th anniversary of ties next year.35 events each to be held in India and China in 2020. PM Modi also said that he want Pakistan to take concrete action. Watch this video to know more.

19th SCO Summit: New momentum in India-China ties

PM Modi meets China's Xi Jinping for the first bilateral meeting.Post SCO, India-Kyrgystan will hold bilateral talks. PM Modi will also join world leaders for informal dinner. Watch this video to know more.

19th SCO Summit: PM Modi meets Xi Jinping for first bilateral meeting

PM Modi arrived in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Thursday afternoon to attend the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sco-summit-pm-modi-set-to-meet-president-xi-putin-today-226707">Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)</a> summit to be held here on June 13 and 14.

The prime minister&nbsp;had left for Bishkek in the morning at around 7:30 am.

His aircraft reached Kyrgyzstan by flying over Oman, Iran and several central Asian countries avoiding Pakistan's airspace.

If PM Modi had flown over Pakistan it would have taken three-and-a-half hours to reach Bishkek. His flight now took six hours to reach the destination.

The decision to avoid Pak's airspace was made on Wednesday even as Pakistan said it will "specially" open its airspace for the flight of Prime Minister Modi to Bishkek to attend the SCO summit.

The decision also came over a week after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi wrote separate letters to their Indian counterparts, pushing for restarting bilateral talks.

During his visit to the country, PM Modi will hold meeting&nbsp;with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and Kyrgyzstan's President Sooronbay Jeenbekov.

This is the first multilateral summit PM Modi will be attending after the elections.

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.

&nbsp;

PM Modi arrived in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Thursday afternoon to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit to be held here on June 13 and 14. The prime minister had left for Bishkek in the morning at around 7:30 am.

PM Modi arrived in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Thursday afternoon to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit to be held here on June 13 and 14. The prime minister had left for Bishkek in the morning at around 7:30 am. His aircraft reached Kyrgyzstan by flying over Oman, Iran and several central Asian countries avoiding Pakistan's airspace. If PM Modi had flown over Pakistan it would have taken three-and-a-half hours to reach Bishkek. His flight now took six hours to reach the destination. The decision to avoid Pak's airspace was made on Wednesday even as Pakistan said it will "specially" open its airspace for the flight of Prime Minister Modi to Bishkek to attend the SCO summit. The decision also came over a week after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi wrote separate letters to their Indian counterparts, pushing for restarting bilateral talks. During his visit to the country, PM Modi will hold meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and Kyrgyzstan's President Sooronbay Jeenbekov. This is the first multilateral summit PM Modi will be attending after the elections. 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 reaches Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan for 2-day SCO summit

India may join China and Russia in voicing reservations about US trade protectionism at the SCO summit. Watch this video to know more.

SCO to pitch for a new trading system

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to meet his counterparts at the SCO summit on 14th of June. The foreign delegation has made all preparations for a successful meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi-Jinping. Here is WION's ground report from Bishkek.

PM Modi to meet Xi, Putin at SCO; See WION's ground report

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

Uzbek envoy to India Farhod Arziev has said that India has an important role at Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO) and New Delhi being a leader in innovation &amp; IT can help the grouping.&nbsp;

Farhod Arziev spoke to WION on a host of issues surrounding the SCO—from India-Uzbekistan ties to connectivity programmes.

WION: How do you see ties between the two countries?

Farhod Arziev: First of all, I like to say election just concluded and it was a big event for India, and as soon as election results were announced with the BJP and NDA winning the elections, President of Uzbekistan H E Mr Shavkat Mirziyoyev sent his congratulatory letter. Soon after reappointment of PM Modi for his second term, President sent the congratulatory message again. Election results show the big trust people of India have on govt and leadership of Narendra Modi and clear testimony of recognition of the results of effort he has been taking to make India more prosperous. Bilateral ties between both countries have been growing dynamically. We have identified new priorities for bilateral ties. With the new government formed under the leadership of PM Modi, we are confident that the strategic relationship will further deepen.&nbsp;

 
WION: Can we expect some high-level visit between the two countries this year?

Farhod Arziev: This year we working on a number of visits at the bilateral level, at the level of different ministries, at parliamentarian level &amp; people to people to contacts expanding. Just recently we had Uzbek India innovation &amp; IT form which shows our cooperation in areas of innovation is also expanding. We also plan to have Uzbek India youth forum. &amp; Also, we will hold, Uzbek India regional summit this year. Gujarat &amp; Andijan are partner regions, and we expect big delegation from Gujarat and other regions of India as well.

WION: How do you see India's role at SCO?

Farhod Arziev: Uzbekistan, we have fully supported full membership of India to SCO, and we believe India's membership to SCO 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. Like, expansion of trade and economics or transport or communication, opportunities for SCO members, there we see India can play a big role. In areas like innovation &amp; IT, India holds a strong position, can also play contribution at SCO. Also in areas of tourism, also in areas of cultural exchange, we know India has initiated, put forward the idea of SCO members cinema and we fully support this initiative. Many more areas were India can play an important role within the SCO framework. I would also like to stress the fact, we have very good cooperation and coordination with India within the framework of international and regional organisations like SCO and almost on every agenda at the org we have similar positions.&nbsp;

WION: How to see India's connectivity programmes?

Farhod Arziev: Uzbekistan is not only landlocked but double landlocked country. Connectivity projects can help us reach international markets and reduce the cost and distance in reaching international markets to the interest of my country. We see a big scope for Cooperation with India in expanding the connectivity options between India and Uzbekistan and India and central Asia as a whole and there are many connectivity projects and transport projects, being developed. One of them is Chabahar. We see the project as a positive contribution to expanding connectivity between our regions and of course we working connectivity options via Afghanistan. You know there existing railway connection between Uzbekistan and Mazar-e-Sharif which plans to be expanded to Herat. It can eventually reach to Chabahar port.

Uzbek envoy to India Farhod Arziev has said that India has an important role at Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO) and New Delhi being a leader in innovation & IT can help the grouping.

Uzbek envoy to India Farhod Arziev has said that India has an important role at Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO) and New Delhi being a leader in innovation & IT can help the grouping. Farhod Arziev spoke to WION on a host of issues surrounding the SCO—from India-Uzbekistan ties to connectivity programmes. WION: How do you see ties between the two countries? Farhod Arziev: First of all, I like to say election just concluded and it was a big event for India, and as soon as election results were announced with the BJP and NDA winning the elections, President of Uzbekistan H E Mr Shavkat Mirziyoyev sent his congratulatory letter. Soon after reappointment of PM Modi for his second term, President sent the congratulatory message again. Election results show the big trust people of India have on govt and leadership of Narendra Modi and clear testimony of recognition of the results of effort he has been taking to make India more prosperous. Bilateral ties between both countries have been growing dynamically. We have identified new priorities for bilateral ties. With the new government formed under the leadership of PM Modi, we are confident that the strategic relationship will further deepen. WION: Can we expect some high-level visit between the two countries this year? Farhod Arziev: This year we working on a number of visits at the bilateral level, at the level of different ministries, at parliamentarian level & people to people to contacts expanding. Just recently we had Uzbek India innovation & IT form which shows our cooperation in areas of innovation is also expanding. We also plan to have Uzbek India youth forum. & Also, we will hold, Uzbek India regional summit this year. Gujarat & Andijan are partner regions, and we expect big delegation from Gujarat and other regions of India as well. WION: How do you see India's role at SCO? Farhod Arziev: Uzbekistan, we have fully supported full membership of India to SCO, and we believe India's membership to SCO 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. Like, expansion of trade and economics or transport or communication, opportunities for SCO members, there we see India can play a big role. In areas like innovation & IT, India holds a strong position, can also play contribution at SCO. Also in areas of tourism, also in areas of cultural exchange, we know India has initiated, put forward the idea of SCO members cinema and we fully support this initiative. Many more areas were India can play an important role within the SCO framework. I would also like to stress the fact, we have very good cooperation and coordination with India within the framework of international and regional organisations like SCO and almost on every agenda at the org we have similar positions. WION: How to see India's connectivity programmes? Farhod Arziev: Uzbekistan is not only landlocked but double landlocked country. Connectivity projects can help us reach international markets and reduce the cost and distance in reaching international markets to the interest of my country. We see a big scope for Cooperation with India in expanding the connectivity options between India and Uzbekistan and India and central Asia as a whole and there are many connectivity projects and transport projects, being developed. One of them is Chabahar. We see the project as a positive contribution to expanding connectivity between our regions and of course we working connectivity options via Afghanistan. You know there existing railway connection between Uzbekistan and Mazar-e-Sharif which plans to be expanded to Herat. It can eventually reach to Chabahar port.

India has an important role at Shanghai Cooperation Organisation: Uzbekistan envoy

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Meet will be on 13-14 June. There is information coming out through sources that there will be no formal talks between India & Pakistan at SCO sideline. Watch this video to know more.

Sources: No India-Pak dialogues on the sidelines of SCO summit

Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj Is Attending The SCO Meeting. India Is Likely To Raise The Issue Of Cross-Border Terrorism At The Meeting.

Gravitas: Strategic Autonomy: The New Template Of India's Foreign Policy

Meanwhile, even as India’s messaging remains the same terror and talks cannot go together, all eyes would on the summit level meeting.

SCO Meet: No Indo-Pak meeting on the cards

External Affairs Minister of India Sushma Swaraj says the wounds of Pulwama attack are still raw on the minds of India at the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation meeting. Here's all that happened on Day 1 of the two-day long SCO Meet

Gravitas: Sushma Swaraj addresses SCO meet

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will travel to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyz Republic, on Tuesday to take part in the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

India at SCO Foreign Ministers meet; likely to raise issue of terrorism

Terror, connectivity and Afghanistan were the main focus areas for India during External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj statement at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.&nbsp;

Recalling the Sri Lanka terror attack on April 21, Swaraj said, "Our wounds of Pulwama attack were still raw and the news from the neighbourhood has made us more determined to fight firmly resolutely against this menace."

SCO's Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure or RATS has emerged as an important forum for counter-terror cooperation and India called for making it more effective.

On connectivity, India talked about five connectivity initiatives the International North-South Transport Corridor that will connect Mumbai with Moscow, Chabahar Port that will connect India to Afghanistan &amp; beyond, the Ashgabat Agreement for central Asia connectivity, the India Afghanistan air corridor &amp; towards the east the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway.

But New Delhi said the connectivity projects needs to be, "inclusive, sustainable, transparent and respect the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity", a comment that questions Chinese Belt &amp; road initiative that is causing debt crisis in many countries participating in it.

On Afghanistan, Sushma Swaraj said, "India stands committed to any process" which can help "Afghanistan emerge as a united, peaceful, secure, stable, inclusive and economically vibrant nation, with guaranteed gender and human rights."

Comments on Afghanistan comes in the backdrop of Delhi's increased engagement with stakeholders such as the US, China, Iran and Russia on the Afghan peace process.

This is the last high-level engagement of Sushma Swaraj in a foreign country as the external affairs minister under the present government.&nbsp;

This is the second SCO FMs meet in which New Delhi is participating as a full member of SCO, the first meet held in April of 2018 in Beijing.&nbsp;

During the SCO FMs meet on Wednesday, Sushma Swaraj and her Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi came face to face for the first time since the Pulwama terror attack on February 14 whose responsibility was taken by Pakistan based UN-listed terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed.

On expected lines, no meeting happened between the 2 India Pakistan ministers.

The last time both ministers were under the same roof was during informal SAARC meet on the sidelines of United Nation General Assembly in New York in 2018.

India got full membership of the grouping along with Pakistan in 2017 during the Astana summit of SCO with the process beginning during 2015SCO summit in Russia.

The SCO FMs meet comes weeks before the SCO leaders summit in Kyrgyzstan in which the new Indian Prime Minister will be participating. Focus in that summit will be on his likely meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping or if New Indian PM would like to meet his Pakistani counterpart —Pakistani PM Imran Khan.

Terror, connectivity and Afghanistan were the main focus areas for India during External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj statement at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Terror, connectivity and Afghanistan were the main focus areas for India during External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj statement at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Recalling the Sri Lanka terror attack on April 21, Swaraj said, "Our wounds of Pulwama attack were still raw and the news from the neighbourhood has made us more determined to fight firmly resolutely against this menace." SCO's Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure or RATS has emerged as an important forum for counter-terror cooperation and India called for making it more effective. On connectivity, India talked about five connectivity initiatives the International North-South Transport Corridor that will connect Mumbai with Moscow, Chabahar Port that will connect India to Afghanistan & beyond, the Ashgabat Agreement for central Asia connectivity, the India Afghanistan air corridor & towards the east the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway. But New Delhi said the connectivity projects needs to be, "inclusive, sustainable, transparent and respect the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity", a comment that questions Chinese Belt & road initiative that is causing debt crisis in many countries participating in it. On Afghanistan, Sushma Swaraj said, "India stands committed to any process" which can help "Afghanistan emerge as a united, peaceful, secure, stable, inclusive and economically vibrant nation, with guaranteed gender and human rights." Comments on Afghanistan comes in the backdrop of Delhi's increased engagement with stakeholders such as the US, China, Iran and Russia on the Afghan peace process. This is the last high-level engagement of Sushma Swaraj in a foreign country as the external affairs minister under the present government. This is the second SCO FMs meet in which New Delhi is participating as a full member of SCO, the first meet held in April of 2018 in Beijing. During the SCO FMs meet on Wednesday, Sushma Swaraj and her Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi came face to face for the first time since the Pulwama terror attack on February 14 whose responsibility was taken by Pakistan based UN-listed terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed. On expected lines, no meeting happened between the 2 India Pakistan ministers. The last time both ministers were under the same roof was during informal SAARC meet on the sidelines of United Nation General Assembly in New York in 2018. India got full membership of the grouping along with Pakistan in 2017 during the Astana summit of SCO with the process beginning during 2015SCO summit in Russia. The SCO FMs meet comes weeks before the SCO leaders summit in Kyrgyzstan in which the new Indian Prime Minister will be participating. Focus in that summit will be on his likely meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping or if New Indian PM would like to meet his Pakistani counterpart —Pakistani PM Imran Khan.

India speaks out against terror at SCO FMs' meet in Kyrgyzstan

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will attend a two-day meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), beginning on Tuesday, in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, during which several pressing issues including a thread of terrorism are expected to be discussed.

This will be her last visit as the External Affairs Minister to any country under the present government. She will leave for Bishkek on&nbsp;Tuesday at 10 am.

During the meet, India will be strongly raising the issue of terror and the Afghan peace process.&nbsp;

The meeting comes just weeks before the SCO summit that will take place in Bishkek from June 13-14 and will see the participation of the Indian and Pakistani prime ministers.

The External Affairs Ministry said the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) will exchange views on topical issues of international and regional importance, besides reviewing the preparation for the SCO Summit in Bishkek from June 13-14.

External Affairs Minister’s program in Bishkek will include the "meeting of Council of SCO Foreign Ministers" and a joint call of SCO Foreign Ministers on Kyrgyz President Sooranbay Jeenbekov.

This is the second SCO FMs meet India is participating as a full member of SCO, the last being in April of 2018 in Beijing.

India became a full member of the China-dominated grouping in 2017 and New Delhi's entry has increased the bloc's heft in regional geopolitics, besides giving it a pan-Asian hue.

No India-Pakistan meet

Pakistan will be represented by Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.&nbsp;

Asked if Pakistani and Indian ministers will meet during the SCO FMs summit, the Pakistani foreign office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal said, "The two foreign ministers would be present in the meeting and in all likelihood would interact amongst themselves and with other leaders. No formal meeting is, however, envisaged."

India got full membership of the grouping along with Pakistan in 2017 during the Astana summit of SCO with the process beginning during 2015 SCO summit in Russia.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will attend a two-day meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), beginning on Tuesday, in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, during which several pressing issues including a thread of terrorism are expected to be discussed.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will attend a two-day meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), beginning on Tuesday, in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, during which several pressing issues including a thread of terrorism are expected to be discussed. This will be her last visit as the External Affairs Minister to any country under the present government. She will leave for Bishkek on Tuesday at 10 am. During the meet, India will be strongly raising the issue of terror and the Afghan peace process. The meeting comes just weeks before the SCO summit that will take place in Bishkek from June 13-14 and will see the participation of the Indian and Pakistani prime ministers. The External Affairs Ministry said the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) will exchange views on topical issues of international and regional importance, besides reviewing the preparation for the SCO Summit in Bishkek from June 13-14. External Affairs Minister’s program in Bishkek will include the "meeting of Council of SCO Foreign Ministers" and a joint call of SCO Foreign Ministers on Kyrgyz President Sooranbay Jeenbekov. This is the second SCO FMs meet India is participating as a full member of SCO, the last being in April of 2018 in Beijing. India became a full member of the China-dominated grouping in 2017 and New Delhi's entry has increased the bloc's heft in regional geopolitics, besides giving it a pan-Asian hue. No India-Pakistan meet Pakistan will be represented by Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. Asked if Pakistani and Indian ministers will meet during the SCO FMs summit, the Pakistani foreign office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal said, "The two foreign ministers would be present in the meeting and in all likelihood would interact amongst themselves and with other leaders. No formal meeting is, however, envisaged." India got full membership of the grouping along with Pakistan in 2017 during the Astana summit of SCO with the process beginning during 2015 SCO summit in Russia.

Sushma Swaraj to attend SCO foreign ministers meet in Bishkek, her last tour under present government

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday urged the SCO members including Pakistan to assume their national responsibility and cooperate with each other, saying terrorism remains the most overwhelming threat to development and prosperity.

In an apparent reference to the USD 50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Swaraj said that all connectivity initiatives must be based on the principles of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, consultations, good governance, transparency, viability and sustainability.

India has opposed the CPEC projects and protested to China as it is being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir

Swaraj, who is in Tajikistan's capital to attend a two-day conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)'s Council of Heads of Government (CHG), said: "terrorism remains the most overwhelming threat to our common goals of development and prosperity".

As the footprint of terrorism expands, governments must assume their national responsibility and cooperate with each other, she said in the presence of Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

"We have all benefited from globalisation. We must further develop our trade and investment cooperation. We support an open, stable international trade regime based on centrality of the World Trade Organization," Swaraj said.

India has actively supported the SCO Qingdao Summit Leaders' "Appeal to Youth" against radicalisation of youth, she said and congratulated all her colleagues on the successful completion of the 'SCO Peace Mission 2018'.

It was the first time that India participated in these counter-terrorism exercises.

India stands committed to a peace process which is Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled, that can help Afghanistan emerge as a peaceful, secure, stable, inclusive and economically vibrant nation, Swaraj said.

"In this context, we welcome the signing of the Protocol of the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group on the sidelines of the Qingdao Summit. We would be happy to co-host with Afghanistan, the next meeting of the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group in India," she said.

India is determined to work together in the SCO on environmentally friendly energy alternatives to ensure sustainable development, Swaraj said.

"India shares the desire of the SCO members for enhanced connectivity. All connectivity initiatives must be based on the principles of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, consultations, good governance, transparency, viability and sustainability," she said.

The CPEC is the flagship project of the multi-billion dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a pet project of President Xi Jinping aimed at enhancing China's influence around the world through China-funded infrastructure projects.

"I am happy to note that SCO has taken a positive step in this direction by organising the first meeting of the Heads of Railways of the SCO Member States last month," she added.

It is the second CHG meeting since India became a full member of the SCO in June 2017.

India was an observer at the SCO since 2005 and has generally participated in the ministerial-level meetings of the grouping which focus mainly on security and economic cooperation in the Eurasian region.

India became a full member of the China-dominated grouping last year and New Delhi's entry into it is expected to increase the bloc's heft in regional geo-politics and trade negotiations besides giving it a pan-Asian hue.

Along with India, Pakistan was also granted membership of the SCO last year.

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.

The bloc currently has eight member countries which represent around 42 per cent of the world's population and 20 per cent of the global GDP.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led an official delegation to the SCO Summit in Chinese city of Qingdao in June.&nbsp;

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday urged the SCO members including Pakistan to assume their national responsibility and cooperate with each other, saying terrorism remains the most overwhelming threat to development and prosperity.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday urged the SCO members including Pakistan to assume their national responsibility and cooperate with each other, saying terrorism remains the most overwhelming threat to development and prosperity. In an apparent reference to the USD 50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Swaraj said that all connectivity initiatives must be based on the principles of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, consultations, good governance, transparency, viability and sustainability. India has opposed the CPEC projects and protested to China as it is being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir Swaraj, who is in Tajikistan's capital to attend a two-day conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)'s Council of Heads of Government (CHG), said: "terrorism remains the most overwhelming threat to our common goals of development and prosperity". As the footprint of terrorism expands, governments must assume their national responsibility and cooperate with each other, she said in the presence of Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. "We have all benefited from globalisation. We must further develop our trade and investment cooperation. We support an open, stable international trade regime based on centrality of the World Trade Organization," Swaraj said. India has actively supported the SCO Qingdao Summit Leaders' "Appeal to Youth" against radicalisation of youth, she said and congratulated all her colleagues on the successful completion of the 'SCO Peace Mission 2018'. It was the first time that India participated in these counter-terrorism exercises. India stands committed to a peace process which is Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled, that can help Afghanistan emerge as a peaceful, secure, stable, inclusive and economically vibrant nation, Swaraj said. "In this context, we welcome the signing of the Protocol of the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group on the sidelines of the Qingdao Summit. We would be happy to co-host with Afghanistan, the next meeting of the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group in India," she said. India is determined to work together in the SCO on environmentally friendly energy alternatives to ensure sustainable development, Swaraj said. "India shares the desire of the SCO members for enhanced connectivity. All connectivity initiatives must be based on the principles of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, consultations, good governance, transparency, viability and sustainability," she said. The CPEC is the flagship project of the multi-billion dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a pet project of President Xi Jinping aimed at enhancing China's influence around the world through China-funded infrastructure projects. "I am happy to note that SCO has taken a positive step in this direction by organising the first meeting of the Heads of Railways of the SCO Member States last month," she added. It is the second CHG meeting since India became a full member of the SCO in June 2017. India was an observer at the SCO since 2005 and has generally participated in the ministerial-level meetings of the grouping which focus mainly on security and economic cooperation in the Eurasian region. India became a full member of the China-dominated grouping last year and New Delhi's entry into it is expected to increase the bloc's heft in regional geo-politics and trade negotiations besides giving it a pan-Asian hue. Along with India, Pakistan was also granted membership of the SCO last year. 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. The bloc currently has eight member countries which represent around 42 per cent of the world's population and 20 per cent of the global GDP. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led an official delegation to the SCO Summit in Chinese city of Qingdao in June.

Terrorism remains most overwhelming threat to development: Sushma Swaraj

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will be participating in the two-day 17th Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Dushanbe, Tajikistan starting from Thursday.

This will be the second CHG meeting since India became a full member of SCO in June last year. Swaraj had also attended the last year's meeting at Sochi.

Swaraj's programme in Dushanbe will include participation in the SCO CHG meeting, both in the restricted as well as extended formats.

The meeting is a forum that enables India to engage with SCO member countries and Observer states of Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia. It is the first major meeting since Kyrgyzstan took over as chair of the organisation.

The leaders will be discussing prospects for the further development of SCO and will exchange in-depth views on current international and regional issues.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had led the official delegation to the SCO summit in Qingdao, China in June.

India has participated in a number of meetings of the organisation, with over 12 ministerial-level meetings since joining SCO last year.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will be participating in the two-day 17th Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Dushanbe, Tajikistan starting from Thursday.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will be participating in the two-day 17th Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Dushanbe, Tajikistan starting from Thursday. This will be the second CHG meeting since India became a full member of SCO in June last year. Swaraj had also attended the last year's meeting at Sochi. Swaraj's programme in Dushanbe will include participation in the SCO CHG meeting, both in the restricted as well as extended formats. The meeting is a forum that enables India to engage with SCO member countries and Observer states of Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia. It is the first major meeting since Kyrgyzstan took over as chair of the organisation. The leaders will be discussing prospects for the further development of SCO and will exchange in-depth views on current international and regional issues. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had led the official delegation to the SCO summit in Qingdao, China in June. India has participated in a number of meetings of the organisation, with over 12 ministerial-level meetings since joining SCO last year.

Sushma Swaraj to attend SCO meeting in Tajikistan today

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

Ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Qingdao in China, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday.

The second day of the 18th SCO summit began with a welcome ceremony and a group photo of leaders of the eight SCO member-states.

Thereafter the SCO members are scheduled to attend a session restricted only to SCO members.

After this, a plenary session will take place after the signing ceremony and a joint press conference.

In the evening, PM Modi will depart for Qingdao Liuting International Airport and emplane for AFS Palam, where he will reach around 10 in the night.

The Prime Minister is on a two day visit to China to attend the SCO Summit where India is participating as a full member for the first time. India along with Pakistan became the permanent members of the SCO last year.

A day before PM Modi participated in the delegation-level talks with other members of the SCO at Anren Hall in China's Qingdao city on the sidelines of the summit. He also met General Secretary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Rashid Alimov.

PM Modi also held bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the port city, where the two leaders took stock of the progress in the implementation of decisions they had taken at their first informal summit in Wuhan.

During the Summit scheduled for &nbspSunday, the leaders of the member states will sign the Qingdao Declaration and some other agreements on security, economic cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges.

The leaders will also analyse international and regional security situations and discuss measures to boost cooperation.

The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

(With inputs from ANI)

The Prime Minister is on a two day visit to China to attend the SCO Summit where India is participating as a full member for the first time

Ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Qingdao in China, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday. The second day of the 18th SCO summit began with a welcome ceremony and a group photo of leaders of the eight SCO member-states. Thereafter the SCO members are scheduled to attend a session restricted only to SCO members. After this, a plenary session will take place after the signing ceremony and a joint press conference. In the evening, PM Modi will depart for Qingdao Liuting International Airport and emplane for AFS Palam, where he will reach around 10 in the night. The Prime Minister is on a two day visit to China to attend the SCO Summit where India is participating as a full member for the first time. India along with Pakistan became the permanent members of the SCO last year. A day before PM Modi participated in the delegation-level talks with other members of the SCO at Anren Hall in China's Qingdao city on the sidelines of the summit. He also met General Secretary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Rashid Alimov. PM Modi also held bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the port city, where the two leaders took stock of the progress in the implementation of decisions they had taken at their first informal summit in Wuhan. During the Summit scheduled for &nbspSunday, the leaders of the member states will sign the Qingdao Declaration and some other agreements on security, economic cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges. The leaders will also analyse international and regional security situations and discuss measures to boost cooperation. The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. (With inputs from ANI)

PM Modi meets Xi ahead of SCO summit

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