Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met his Armenian counterpart Nikol Pashinyan on the sidelines of the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, with the two leaders discussing ways to further strengthen bilateral ties. The leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments, including the situation in West Asia.
In a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that PM Modi and Pashinyan discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across various areas, including defence, economic ties, pharmaceuticals, science and technology, culture and education.
“PM Narendra Modi reiterated that India looked forward to working closely with Armenia to further deepen and expand bilateral ties,” Jaiswal said.
PM Modi also shared details of the meeting in a post on X. “A wonderful meeting with Prime Minister of Armenia, Mr. Nikol Pashinyan on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Bishkek. India-Armenia cooperation is all set to grow in defence, IT, space, education, pharmaceuticals and more. We are equally certain to deepen trade and investment linkages in the times to come,” he said.
PM Modi is visiting Kyrgyzstan at the invitation of President Sadyr Zhaparov to participate in the 26th SCO Summit, which brings together the organisation’s member states as well as observer and partner countries to discuss regional and global issues.
On his arrival in Bishkek on Sunday, PM Modi was received by Adylbek Kasymaliev, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Earlier today, PM Modi paid floral tribute at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial in Bishkek. He recalled Mahatma Gandhi’s message of peace, non-violence and harmony, saying Gandhi’s thoughts would continue to have an unparalleled impact.
The Prime Minister also interacted with members of the Indian community in Bishkek and people with close associations with India, including members of the diaspora, environmentalists, yoga practitioners, academics, ITEC alumni and researchers.
PM Modi appreciated energy, enthusiasm and contributions of the Indian community towards strengthening the friendship between India and Kyrgyzstan. He also highlighted the continued engagement between the two countries, including through yoga and educational and cultural exchanges.
One of the yoga practitioners who interacted with PM Modi had represented Kyrgyzstan at the World Yogasana Championship in Ahmedabad and won a medal.
The Prime Minister also met members of the wider “Friends of India” community in Bishkek and discussed the longstanding bonds of friendship and cooperation between India and the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as opportunities to deepen people-to-people ties and expand bilateral cooperation.
PM Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with other leaders on the sidelines of the SCO Summit, besides participating in the summit’s deliberations on regional and global issues.
The post PM Modi meets Armenian counterpart Pashinyan in Bishkek; discusses bilateral ties, West Asia crisis appeared first on DD India.
