PM Modi Says Will Meet Xi In Russia, But Silent Over Sharif
04 July, New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will have bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other Brics leaders during the summit of the five nation grouping in Ufa in Russia next week.
Modi is leaving on Monday for a six-nation tour, which includes five central Asian countries besides Russia.In Ufa, Modi will also attend the SCO summit, of which Pakistan is also a member, but it was not clear whether he would meet the country’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. However, neither side has so far ruled out a meeting between the two.
In a few posts on his facebook page, ahead of his departure, Modi talks of attending the BRICS and SCO summits, and ”meeting the leaders individually” but does not clearly specify as to whether these leaders include those of the countries part of the SCO.
He said he was looking forward to these visits underlining that he attached great importance to India’s relations with these countries. Modi said he was expecting positive outcomes of the BRICS summit.
”The Summit last year was productive and I am sure we will build on the ground covered during the last Summit. I expect positive outcomes in economic cooperation and cultural ties among the BRICS nations,” he said.
”I will be meeting the leaders individually and will be a part of the various interactions of BRICS leaders with captains of industry and leaders of other invited states,” he said.
”India attaches high importance to BRICS. It is a great forum that can contribute effectively to mitigate global challenges. BRICS also has a very crucial role to play in further world peace and security and ensuring we leave behind a better planet for our future generations,” he said.
Modi said his first stop would be Uzbekistan, which was the most populous country in central Asia.”India and Uzbekistan enjoy a close strategic partnership. In Uzbekistan I would be holding talks with President Karimov and we would be inking key agreements to strengthen cooperation between our countries. We want to expand our economic ties with Uzbekistan and enhance trade and economic linkages. I must add that President Karimov has visited India five times, including four times as President, with the last visit taking place in 2011,” he said.
Modi spoke of the popularity of Indian movies, language and music in Uzbekistan and notedthat the Uzbek radio completed 50 years of Hindi broadcasting in 2012. During this visit, he would be interacting with Indologists, students learning Hindi and members ofthe Indian community. There are over 3000 Indians in Uzbekistan.
”It was in Tashkent that we lost one of our most popular and respected leaders, Lal Bahadur Shastri ji, who ignited our Nation with the clarion call of Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan. I will be paying my tributes to this proud son of India during the visit,” he said. Modi’s second stop in central Asia would be Kazakhstan, the largest of the central Asian Nations, on July 7 and 8.
”Kazakhstan is Indias largest trading partner in central Asia and has been a valued friend of India at various international forums. India and Kazakhstan have a strategic partnership, indicating the importance we attach to relation with Kazakhstan,” he said.
He underlined that India and Kazakhstan were cooperating in a wide range of sectors including energy and space, and he saw a huge opportunity for our economic ties to grow further. India and Kazakhstan can also increase ties in agriculture. Modi said he looked forward to interacting with the youth of Kazakhstan at the Nazarbayev University.
He will also inaugurate the India-Kazakhstan Centre for Excellence in Information and Communication Technology at the LN Gumilev Eurasian National University and will join a wreath laying ceremony and planting of sapling at the monument of defenders of motherland.
”Our cultural ties with Kazakhstan are deep rooted. Our films, TV serials and dances are very popular. Yoga is gaining popularity. I must appreciate the enthusiasm with which Kazakhstan joined Yoga Day celebrations on June 21. May this visit script a historic chapter in our ties with a valued friend,” he said.