New Delhi 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Samarkand, Uzbekistan this evening, at the invitation of the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, to attend the 22nd Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

 

Announcing PM Modi's arrival in Samarkand, the Ministry of External Affairs said, "​On arrival in Samarkand, Prime Minister was warmly received by H.E. Mr. Abdulla Aripov, the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan. Several ministers, Governor of the Samarkand region and other senior officials from the Government of Uzbekistan also welcomed the Prime Minister at the airport.''

The MEA added that on Friday morning, the Prime Minister will participate in the SCO Summit and will hold bilateral meetings with the President of Uzbekistan and some of the other leaders attending the summit.

MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted, " PM Narendra Modi arrives in the historic city of the Samarkand for the SCO Summit, Welcomed at the airport by Uzbek PM Abdulla Aripov, Ministers, Governor of Samrkand region and senior officials.''

Sources from China said that there are fair chances of a bilateral meeting between Chinese President XI Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the SCO summit as " this is a good opportunity for both sides.''