PM Modi Heads To Central Asia, Pledges Push For Terror-Free Region

New Delhi, Aug 29: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India will work with fellow members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to advance a vision anchored in security, connectivity and opportunity, while striving for a region free from terrorism, separatism and extremism.

Modi made the remarks ahead of his two-nation tour of Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic from August 29 to September 1. He said the visit would strengthen India’s strategic partnerships in Central Asia and deepen its civilisational and people-to-people ties with the region.

In his departure statement, the Prime Minister said India has been an active and constructive SCO member since 2017 and would seek to advance its priorities of security, connectivity and opportunity.

He said terrorism, separatism and extremism continue to threaten peace and stability in the neighbourhood and beyond, and stressed the need for collective efforts to address these challenges.

At the invitation of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Modi will visit Tashkent on August 29-30 for a State Visit. He said India-Uzbekistan strategic ties have witnessed significant progress in recent years and expressed his intention to discuss cooperation in trade and investment, digital connectivity, defence and energy.

From Tashkent, Modi will travel to Bishkek to attend the 26th SCO Summit at the invitation of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov. He will also attend the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games.

Officials said Modi will address the SCO summit and highlight India’s priorities, besides holding bilateral meetings with leaders of member countries on the sidelines of the summit. (Agencies)