Bishkek: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Bishkek on a two-day visit to Kyrgyzstan. He was received at the airport by Kasymaliev Adylbek Aleshovich, chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers. A traditional Kyrgyz dance performance was also organised to welcome him.

Mr Modi is visiting Kyrgyzstan at the invitation of President Sadyr Zhaparov for the 26th SCO Summit. On the first day of his visit, the Prime Minister will hold bilateral meetings with SCO leaders on the sidelines of the summit and participate in several other programmes. He will address the SCO Summit tomorrow.

Prime Minister Modi will first interact with the Friends of India in Bishkek today. He will then visit the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Park and pay floral tributes at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi. The statue was unveiled by Mr Modi during his visit to Kyrgyzstan in 2015.

The Prime Minister will also hold bilateral meetings with several leaders of SCO member countries today. These include meetings with the Presidents of Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and Iran, as well as a bilateral meeting with the President of Russia.

Mr Modi will also attend the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games today. The event celebrates the rich and vibrant cultural heritage of Central Asia.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the 26th Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation tomorrow, September 1.

In his departure statement on Saturday, Mr Modi said he is looking forward to advancing India’s vision for the region, based on “security, connectivity and opportunity”. He also said India will work with SCO members towards a region free from “terrorism, separatism and extremism”.

He said the visit will strengthen India’s strategic partnerships in Central Asia, deepen its civilisational connect with the region and advance the shared pursuit of peace, stability and prosperity.

The summit theme is “25 Years of the SCO: Together Towards Sustainable Peace, Development and Prosperity”. The summit’s priorities include counter-terrorism, regional stability and coordination on cross-border threats.

The Bishkek Declaration and other summit texts are expected to be finalised during the heads-of-state session tomorrow.