Prime Minister Narendra Modi will today address the plenary session of the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of State Council Summit in Tianjin. Following his address, he is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
During a special briefing in Tianjin, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed the Prime Minister’s engagements.
“Prime Minister will be addressing the plenary session of the Summit, where he will outline India’s approach to fostering regional cooperation under the SCO framework. After this, he is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia, following which he will depart for India,” Misri said on Sunday.
Ahead of the SCO Summit, PM Modi held an informal meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the summit venue.
Sharing photos of the interaction on X, PM Modi wrote: “Interactions in Tianjin continue! Exchanging perspectives with President Putin and President Xi during the SCO Summit.”
In a separate post, he added: “Always a delight to meet President Putin!”
PM Modi arrived in Tianjin on Saturday for a two-day official visit to participate in the summit, being held from August 31 to September 1.
On Sunday, PM Modi held bilateral discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the SCO Summit. Both leaders welcomed the positive momentum and steady progress in bilateral ties since their last meeting in Kazan during the BRICS Summit in October 2024.
They reaffirmed that India and China are development partners, not rivals, and stressed that differences should not turn into disputes. The two leaders called for a stable relationship based on mutual respect, interest, and sensitivity—essential for the growth of both nations and for building a multipolar Asia and multipolar world in the 21st century.
PM Modi underlined the importance of peace and tranquillity in border areas for the continued development of bilateral ties. Both sides noted with satisfaction the successful disengagement last year and the maintenance of peace along the border since then. They reiterated their commitment to a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable resolution of the boundary question, consistent with the overall political perspective of bilateral relations and the long-term interests of their peoples.
The leaders also welcomed the progress made in the recent talks between their Special Representatives and pledged continued support for their efforts. They emphasised strengthening people-to-people exchanges through direct flights and visa facilitation, while building on initiatives such as the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra and the introduction of tourist visas.
The Prime Minister invited President Xi to attend the BRICS Summit that India will host in 2026. Xi expressed gratitude for the invitation and assured China’s support for India’s upcoming BRICS Presidency.
The SCO currently comprises 10 member states: India, Belarus, China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. It also has 16 dialogue partners and observers.
India, which became a full member of the SCO in 2017 after serving as an observer since 2005, has previously chaired the SCO Council of Heads of Government in 2020 and the Council of Heads of State from 2022 to 2023.
(With inputs from ANI)