Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Bishkek from 31 August to 1 September.

The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the meeting during a special briefing on the Prime Minister’s upcoming four-day visit to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George stated that several bilateral meetings are being planned depending on time and convenience. He confirmed that a meeting between the leaders of India and Russia has been scheduled during the summit.

The two leaders are expected to review the broader India-Russia relationship. George highlighted that the recent India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission held in Moscow was highly successful, and the leaders will review the entire gamut of bilateral ties during their discussions in Bishkek.

The announcement follows External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s meeting with Putin at the Kremlin earlier this month. Jaishankar conveyed Modi’s good wishes and briefed Putin on the outcomes of the IRIGC meeting, emphasising the continued growth in bilateral economic cooperation.

Jaishankar also outlined Modi’s plans for upcoming high-level engagements with Putin, including the SCO Summit, the BRICS Summit in New Delhi in mid-September, and the annual summit at a mutually convenient time. He said India and Russia have a strong picture of cooperation to present.

Putin responded warmly, asking Jaishankar to convey his best wishes to Modi. He expressed hope to meet the Prime Minister soon at the SCO Summit and noted that their schedules would likely allow another meeting later this year.

PM Modi’s visit to Uzbekistan will take place from 29 to 30 August at the invitation of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. This will be followed by his trip to Bishkek from 31 August to 1 September for the SCO Summit.

The Prime Minister is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with other SCO leaders during the summit. The MEA has said details of these meetings will be conveyed once finalised.

India-Russia ties remain anchored in defence, energy, nuclear power, and space cooperation, alongside rapidly expanding trade. Bilateral trade has grown significantly in recent years, driven by India’s imports of Russian crude oil, coal, fertilizers, and other commodities.

The two governments are working towards achieving $100 billion in trade by 2030, with initiatives such as the International North-South Transport Corridor and the Chennai-Vladivostok maritime route aimed at reducing costs and improving connectivity.

The SCO Summit in Bishkek is expected to provide a platform for Modi and Putin to strengthen strategic coordination, review progress in economic and defence cooperation, and discuss regional security challenges.

Their meeting will also set the stage for Putin’s visit to India for the BRICS Summit in September, underscoring the depth of the partnership between New Delhi and Moscow.

ANI