PM Modi returns from 'productive visit' to Tashkent

Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned home tonight after a two-day visit to Tashkent where he attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit and met leaders of various countries, including Russia and China.

The highlight of his visit was his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during which he pushed for support to India’s bid for NSG membership by China which has been opposing it steadfastly.

Addressing the SCO Summit where the final process for India’s accession as a full member of the SCO began, Modi said India’s ties with the bloc will help protect the region from threats of radicalisation and violence asserting that it would adopt “zero tolerance” to terrorism.

He said India would significantly benefit from the grouping’s strengths in energy and natural resources and in turn India’s strong economy and vast market could drive economic growth in the SCO region.

He also met Russian President Vladimir Putin as also leaders of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Belarus.