Modi holds talks with Putin, Pezeshkian at SCO summit on regional trade

During the SCO summit, PM Modi engaged in bilateral discussions with the two leaders as the regional bloc moves to deepen economic integration across South and Southeast Asia. The meetings underscored India's commitment to facilitating stronger trade partnerships and infrastructure development within the SCO framework, which includes India, Russia, China, Pakistan, and Central Asian nations.

The Prime Minister used the platform to reiterate India's long-standing position on international peace, calling for an end to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Modi also emphasised the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical sea passage for regional and global commerce that has faced strategic tensions in recent years.

SCO leaders discussed mechanisms to enhance regional connectivity and trade cooperation among member states. The focus on economic collaboration reflects the bloc's broader agenda to establish alternative trade corridors and reduce dependence on Western-dominated economic structures, particularly as geopolitical tensions reshape global commerce patterns.

These bilateral engagements highlight India's balancing act in maintaining strategic partnerships across multiple regional powers while advancing its own economic and security interests. The discussions are expected to shape India's approach to SCO initiatives as it navigates complex regional dynamics in South and Central Asia.