PM Narendra Modi's departure statement before his visit to Bishkek

Narendra Modi. Pic/AFP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Bishkek on a two-day visit during which he will attend the summit of eight-nation Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and hold bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Here's PM Modi's statement before his visit to Bishkek

I am visiting Bishkek (Kyrgyz Republic) on 13-14 June 2019 to attend the meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). We attach special importance to SCO in promoting multilateral, political, security, economic and people-to-people interaction in the region.

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.

The Summit is expected to discuss the global security situation, multilateral economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges and topical issues of international and regional importance. On the sidelines of the Summit, I also plan to meet several leaders bilaterally.

On the invitation of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, I will also be on an official bilateral visit to the Kyrgyz Republic on 14 June 2019, after conclusion of the SCO Summit.

India and the Kyrgyz Republic, bound by historical and civilizational links, share traditionally warm and friendly relations. In recent times, our relations have expanded in several areas of bilateral engagement, including defense, security, trade, and investment.

Apart from our discussions on the entire range of bilateral cooperation, President Jeenbekov and I will jointly address the first meeting of India-Kyrgyz Business Forum.

I am confident that my visit to the Kyrgyz Republic will further strengthen and consolidate our cooperation with the SCO member countries and with the Kyrgyz Republic.

Top stories of the day

• Mumbai Crime: Baby kidnapper pretended to be pregnant for 7 months, reveals probe
• Maharashtra cabinet reshuffle to take place on June 16
• Pastor dupes 700 people of one parish
• Mumbai: Loose iron scaffolding at GST office leaves bizman 'brain dead'
• Mumbai Diary: Saturday Dossier
• On 51st birthday, Raj Thackeray blesses flower bouquet while Sharmila blushes
• From Shashi Tharoor's son to Laxmi Mittal's daughter: Big, fat Indian weddings
• Mumbai rains: These 15 photos will surely put a smile on your face!
• Mumbai: Alert nurse of Nair hospital helps reunite kidnapped baby with parents
• Mumbai: Vashi school refuses admission to child of single mother
• Mumbai: Bio-toilets near Gateway of India shut after wind, waves slam it leaving debris on road
• Mumbai Rains: 100 illegal structures on nullahs razed in five days by BMC
• Mumbai Rains: Three dead in tree collapse incidents in Jogeshwari, Malad, and Govandi

Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates