01-15 JULY, 2019 I KAMAL SANDESH I 31rime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on June 14
participated in the SCO Summit in Bishkek,
Kyrgyzstan. The summit was divided into two
portions. The first portion was the restricted format
which was meant for the members and then after that
was the expanded format where the observers also
joined in. India participated as a full-fledged member
of the SCO.
Prime Minister, very graciously thanked the Kyrgyz
President for hosting the summit and for the excellent
arrangements. He also thanked President Putin;
congratulated him for the next summit which will be
hosted by Russia, so he expressed his best wishes for
the next summit also.
The essential discussions revolved around
terrorism, Afghanistan, the economic issues especially
the opportunities that there are for economic
cooperation. As far as terrorism is concerned there
need felt for close cooperation among the member
countries including using the platform of RATS –
Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure based in Tashkent.
On the Afghanistan issue, Prime Minister reiterated
well known Indian position that any process in
Afghanistan should be Afghan led, Afghan owned
and Afghan controlled and as a friend of Afghanistan
India reiterated its commitment to working for the
peace and stability of that country.
Economic issues were covered also in the
discussions and some issues which really came
up apart from the need for better connectivity
including what Prime Minister mentioned about North
South Corridor, Chabahar Port which has become
operational and is available.
He also touched upon things like renewable
energy, environment protection and solar energy. He
said India has its strengths and is ready to work withp
terrorism, aFghaNistaN aNd ecoNomic
cooPeratioN maiN issues oF the summit
pm attends sco summIt In bIshkek, kYrgYzstan