SCO Summit 2022 Highlights: India, China expressing concern about Ukraine war reflective of global worries, says Blinken

In a bid to combat the security threat posed by militant groups, the members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) plan to prepare a unified list of terrorist, separatist and extremist organisations whose activities are banned on their territories. In a joint declaration issued at the end of the annual summit of the eight-member bloc in the historic Uzbek city of Samarkand on Friday, the leaders of the SCO member states, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressed deep concern over the security threat posed by terrorism, separatism and extremism in all its forms and manifestations and strongly condemned terrorist acts around the world.

"The member states, while reaffirming a strong commitment to fight terrorism, separatism and extremism, resolve to continue to take active measures to address the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, cut off terrorist financing channels, suppress terrorist recruitment and cross-border movement, counter extremism, the radicalisation of youth, the spread of terrorist ideology, and eliminate sleeper cells and places used as terrorist safe havens," it said. (PTI)

IN THEIR first in-person meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday discussed with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi bilateral ties, regional developments, including Afghanistan, and reviewed the progress in the development of Chabahar Port. The two leaders met on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Samarkand.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping are meeting for the first time in the post-Covid world, at the 22nd Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation at Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Given the military standoff between the two along the line of actual control in the Himalaya, their meeting would attract global attention.

Indian and Chinese leaders expressing their concerns to the Russian President over the Ukraine war is reflective of the global worries about the effects of Moscow's aggression against the interests of people across the planet, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday on the sidelines of the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Uzbekistan pressed him to end the conflict in Ukraine soon, saying "today's era is not of war".

It was the first in-person meeting between the two leaders after the Ukraine conflict began in February. Modi also underlined the importance of "democracy, dialogue and diplomacy" while calling for an early cessation of hostilities in Ukraine. The Ukraine issue was also figured out during Putin's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Putin has told Xi Jinping that he understands China's “questions and concerns” about the war in Ukraine. (PTI)

The mainstream American media on Friday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for telling Russian President Vladimir Putin that this is not the time for war in Ukraine. The Modi-Putin conversation in Samarkand was widely carried by the mainstream American media.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit ended Friday without a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping though they did stand next to each other as leaders of the grouping posed for photographs.

Delhi signed off on the Samarkand declaration of the SCO summit which omitted reference to the “UN Charter” while underlining “mutual respect for sovereignty” and “territorial integrity of States”. Unlike last year’s SCO declaration in Dushanbe which had called for adhering to the “goals and objectives of the UN Charter”, there was no such mention this time. Read more

With Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif listening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Shanghai Cooperation Organisation member states Friday to “give each other full right to transit”. Addressing the SCO summit that included China President Xi Jinping and Russia President Vladimir Putin in the Uzbekistan city of Samarkand, Modi framed the “right to transit” in the context of connectivity and how it could help establish reliable and resilient supply chains in the region. Read more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday arrived in New Delhi, after attending the 22nd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Samarkand. Modi tweeted, “Had productive multilateral and bilateral engagements at the SCO Summit. I thank the people and Government of Uzbekistan for their hospitality.”

Had productive multilateral and bilateral engagements at the SCO Summit. I thank the people and Government of Uzbekistan for their hospitality.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 16, 2022

President Vladimir Putin on Friday brushed off a lightning Ukrainian counter-offensive with a smile but warned that Russia would respond more forcefully if its troops were put under further pressure. Speaking after a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in the Uzbek city of Samarkand, Putin cast the invasion as a necessary step to prevent what he said was a Western plot to break Russia apart. --Reuters

Russian President Vladimir Putin Friday advocated for visa-free travel between India and Russia while speaking with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in the Uzbek city of Samarkand. Amid the ongoing warfare between Russia and Ukraine, Modi told Putin that it is not an era of war, news agency PTI reported.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday asked SCO member states to guard against "colour revolutions" instigated by "external forces" and asked them to maintain strategic independence and safeguard regional stability, in a veiled attack on the US as it expands its influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Addressing the 22nd SCO summit here in the historic Uzbek city, Xi also announced plans to establish a centre in China to train counter-terrorism personnel by the grouping and mooted a development bank to speed up regional economic integration.

Xi congratulated India for taking over the rotating Presidency of the Beijing-based eight-member regional grouping. --PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev hold a meeting in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on the sidelines of the SCO Summit.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev hold a meeting in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on the sidelines of the SCO Summit.

(Source: DD) pic.twitter.com/GN3fyhi2ii

— ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2022

Uzbekistan on Friday handed over the rotating presidency of the eight-member SCO to India. Taking to Twitter, Uzbek Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov wrote: “As a result #SCOSamarkandSummit, India will host next SCO summit as a chairman of Organisation in 2023. We will do our best to assist India, our strategic partner, in the implementation of this responsible mission.”

: Referring to the ongoing warfare between Russia and Ukraine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Samarkand, told Russian President Vladimir Putin that it is not an era of war, news agency PTI reported. It is the first meeting between the two leaders since the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out in February this year. Though India has not yet criticised Russia for its Ukraine invasion, it has been advocating for resolution of the crisis through dialogue. It is learnt that the two leaders, who held talks on the sidelines of the annual summit, discussed bilateral, regional and global issues.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Summit in the historic Uzbek city of Samarkand during which they discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation in diverse sectors.The two leaders are in Samarkand to attend the SCO summit. "PM @narendramodi held talks with President @RTErdogan on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Samarkand. The two leaders discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation in diverse sectors," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted.The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.Over the years, it has emerged as one of the largest trans-regional international organisations. India and Pakistan became its permanent members in 2017.

Met President @RTErdogan and reviewed the full range of bilateral relations between India and Turkey including ways to deepen economic linkages for the benefit of our people. @trpresidency pic.twitter.com/wwNe1KrMCm

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 16, 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he highlighted India's efforts to popularise millets and tackle food security challenges. The PM said that he also emphasised the role SCO can play in the post-Covid era.

At the SCO Summit, also emphasised on tackling the challenge of food security. In this context, also talked about India's efforts to further popularise millets. SCO can play a big role in marking 2023 as International Year of Millets.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 16, 2022

"At the SCO Summit, also emphasised on tackling the challenge of food security. In this context, also talked about India's efforts to further popularise millets. SCO can play a big role in marking 2023 as International Year of Millets," the PM said in a tweet. 

Participating at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the SCO member countries should grant rights to transit and improve connectivity. Modi’s reference was clearly to Pakistan, whose Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was present at the SCO leaders’ session.

The Prime Minister also flagged the impact on global supply chains due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and the energy and food security issues.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at the summit Friday, said that India will take an initiative for a new SCO working group on traditional medicines. 

In April 2022, WHO inaugurated its Global Centre for Traditional Medicines in Gujarat. This was the first & only global center by WHO for traditional treatment. India will take an initiative for a new SCO working group on traditional medicines: PM at the SCO Summit in Samarkand pic.twitter.com/39XevIJyGb

— ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at the summit Friday, said there are over 70,000 start-ups in India. 

'We are focussing on a people-centric development model. We are supporting innovation in every sector. Today there are more than 70,000 start-ups and over 100 unicorns in our country,' he said. 

He added: "India’s economy is expected to grow at the rate of 7.5% this year. I'm glad that ours is one of the fastest growing economies among the largest economies of the world."

We are focussing on people-centric development model. We are supporting innovation in every sector. Today there are more than 70,000 start-ups and over 100 unicorns in our country: PM Narendra Modi at the SCO Summit in Uzbekistan's Samarkand pic.twitter.com/ziXdDq29FC

— ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at the summit Friday, said he will set up a special working group on start-ups and innovation and share its findings with the SCO members. 

SCO Member States, Observers, Special Guests of the Chair and representatives from regional organisations come together for a meeting in the expanded format. pic.twitter.com/lhEKuI3uys

— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) September 16, 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at the summit Friday, said he wants to transform India into a manufacturing hub. 

'The world is overcoming the Covid-19 pandemic. Several disruptions occurred in the global supply chain because of the Covid and Ukraine crisis. We want to transform India into a manufacturing hub,' he said.

My remarks at the SCO Summit in Samarkand. https://t.co/6f42ycVLzq

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 16, 2022

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that pipeline gas supplies to Pakistan were possible and part of the infrastructure was already in place, Russian state-owned new agency RIA reported.

Putin and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met on Thursday on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Samarkand, in Uzbekistan.

"The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to work closely with Russia to further expand and strengthen cooperation between the two countries across all areas of mutual benefit including food security, trade & investment, energy, defence and security," a statement from Sharif's office said. (Read more)

PM Modi Friday joined SCO leaders for discussions on topical, regional and international issues, including regional peace and security, trade and connectivity, culture and tourism, said MEA India in a tweet. 

Together for the region!

PM @narendramodi joins the leaders of SCO Member States for discussions on topical, regional and international issues, including regional peace and security, trade and connectivity, culture and tourism. pic.twitter.com/2UnFnSn7WN

— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) September 16, 2022

Chinese leader Xi Jinping stayed away from a dinner attended by 11 heads of states at a regional security summit in line with his delegation's Covid-19 policy, a source in the Uzbek government told Reuters Friday.

The participants of the #SCO Samarkand Summit visited the "Eternal City" complex. #summit #official_dinner pic.twitter.com/WRWwuMIqAm

— Shavkat Mirziyoyev's Press-service (@president_uz) September 15, 2022

Xi, who is making his first foreign trip since the beginning of the pandemic, is attending a meeting this week of the China- and Russia-led Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in the Uzbek city of Samarkand.

However, he was absent from group photographs published late on Thursday when the leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkey's Tayyip Erdogan, went for dinner. An Uzbek government source confirmed Xi's absence and said the Chinese delegation cited its Covid-19 policy as the reason. (Reuters)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday attended the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation along with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and leaders of the other member states of the influential grouping.

PM @narendramodi at the SCO Summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. pic.twitter.com/A1h7h7Pvnw

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 16, 2022

Ahead of the deliberations at the restricted format of the summit, leaders of the permanent members of the grouping posed for a group photo. At the venue of the summit, Modi was warmly greeted by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. (PTI)

The second day of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit kicked off Friday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif and Russian President Vladimir Putin in attendance, among others. The SCO is holding its first in-person summit in Samarkand in Uzbekistan after two years.

Second day of SCO summit kicks off

WATCH LIVE: https://t.co/6e84cqBgIv pic.twitter.com/Vyx3Edo8BE

— RT (@RT_com) September 16, 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was warmly welcomed in Samarkand, Uzbekistan where he landed late on Thursday to attend the SCO Summit. 

PM Modi's warm welcome in Samarkand, Uzbekistan as he lands there to attend the SCO Summit.

Just feel the love and respect for India. pic.twitter.com/ydXsq2TrEd

— BJP Delhi (@BJP4Delhi) September 16, 2022

Russia can supply gas to Pakistan as necessary infrastructures are already in place, President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday during his meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Uzbekistan.

The high-level meeting took place shortly after Prime Minister Sharif reached Samarkand in Uzbekistan to attend the annual meeting of the SCO's Council of Heads of State (CHS) during a two-day visit — from September 15 to 16.

"The issue is about pipeline gas supplies from Russia to Pakistan, which is also possible, which means part of infrastructure has already been created, meaning Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan. We have to solve the Afghan issue," Putin was quoted as saying by Russia's state-run TASS news agency.

"Of course, there are problems connected with political stability, but having in mind our mutually good relations with the Afghan people, I hope this problem can also be solved, I mean Pakistan's influence on the situation in the country," he added. (PTI)

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday met his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi here on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Uzbekistan's Samarkand and expressed his happiness about Tehran joining the eight-member grouping.

The 22nd heads of states summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Samarkand is expected to finalise the admission of Iran and grant the status of a dialogue partner to Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

Putin told Raisi that he was happy that Iran was joining the SCO.

"As we agreed with you, we have done everything for Iran to become a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Our partners in this organisation have supported your application, all that is left is one last formality. It is indeed a formality, and Iran is joining this already serious, large, and authoritative international organisation," Russia's state-run Tass news agency quoted Putin as saying. (PTI)

President Vladimir Putin acknowledged Thursday that China had “questions and concerns” about Russia’s war in Ukraine, a notable, if cryptic, admission that Moscow lacks the full backing of its biggest, most powerful partner on the world stage.

Putin met China’s leader, Xi Jinping, on Thursday in their first in-person meeting since Russia invaded Ukraine, and as Xi travelled abroad for the first time since the start of the pandemic. But rather than put on a show of Eurasian unity against the West as Russia struggled to recover from last week’s humiliating military retreat in northeastern Ukraine, the two leaders struck discordant notes in their public remarks — and Xi made no mention of Ukraine at all.

“We highly appreciate the balanced position of our Chinese friends in connection with the Ukrainian crisis,” Putin said in televised remarks at the start of the meeting. “We understand your questions and concerns in this regard.”

It was a moment, on the sidelines of a regional summit in Uzbekistan, that showed the daunting political straits Putin finds himself in nearly seven months into his invasion of Ukraine. On the battlefield, Russia has lost more than 1,000 square miles of territory this month, rendering the prospect of a decisive victory over a Western-armed Ukraine as remote as ever. At home, Putin is facing unusual criticism from some supporters over his slow military progress. (Read more)

At a time of global turbulence in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s aggressive posturing over Taiwan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Samarkand in Uzbekistan Thursday night for the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on Thursday to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, which is set to deliberate on regional security challenges, boosting trade and energy supplies among other issues.

The SCO is holding its first in-person summit in Samarkand in Uzbekistan after two years. The summit will also see the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.Modi is also expected to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit, including with Putin, and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev among other leaders. (PTI)

Landed in Samarkand to take part in the SCO Summit. pic.twitter.com/xaZ0pkjHD1

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 15, 2022

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said he understood that Xi Jinping had questions and concerns about the situation in Ukraine but praised China's leader for what he said was a "balanced" position on the conflict. Russia's war in Ukraine has killed tens of thousands of people and pushed the global economy into uncharted waters with soaring prices for food and energy amid the biggest confrontation between Moscow and the West since the Cold War.

At their first face-to-face meeting since the war, Xi said he was very happy to meet "my old friend" again after Putin said attempts by the United States to create a unipolar world would fail.

"We highly value the balanced position of our Chinese friends when it comes to the Ukraine crisis," Putin told Xi, whom he addressed as "Dear Comrade Xi Jinping, dear friend". "We understand your questions and concern about this. During today's meeting, we will of course explain our position, we will explain in detail our position on this issue, although we have talked about this before." (Reuters)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday left for the Uzbek city of Samarkand to attend the SCO summit that will also see the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iran's Ebrahim Raisi among other top world leaders.

The Prime Minister is visiting Uzbekistan at the invitation of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

"Leaving for Samarkand, Uzbekistan to attend the SCO Summit, which will witness the exchange of views on a wide range of regional and global issues," Modi tweeted.

Leaving for Samarkand, Uzbekistan to attend the SCO Summit, which will witness exchange of views on a wide range of regional and global issues. https://t.co/pmA3n8JsKQ

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 15, 2022

Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh said on Thursday that he supports the construction of oil and gas pipelines from Russia to China via Mongolia.

Speaking via translator at a trilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in the Uzbek city of Uzbekistan, Khurelsukh backed the proposal, which Russia's Putin earlier this month said was being discussed. (Reuters)

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin told Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday that Moscow backs Beijing’s “One China” policy, opposes “provocations” by the United States in the Taiwan Strait, and values China’s “balanced position” on Ukraine.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will come face-to-face on Friday for the first time since deadly border clashes in 2020 frayed ties between the Asian rivals.

Modi will fly to the Uzbek city of Samarkand on Thursday for a summit of the regional security group known as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which will also be attended by Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. 

"At the SCO summit, I look forward to exchanging views on topical, regional and international issues, the expansion of SCO and on further deepening of multifaceted and mutually beneficial cooperation within the organisation," Modi said in a statement. --Reuters

Ahead of departing for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said a number of decisions for mutual cooperation in areas of trade, economy, culture and tourism are likely to be adopted at the meet. “I look forward to exchanging views on topical issues, expansion and deepening cooperation within the grouping,” he said.

Iran has signed a Memorandum of Obligations to become a permanent member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Iran's foreign minister said on Thursday, as Tehran seeks to overcome economic isolation amid US sanctions.

"By signing the document for full membership of the SCO, now Iran has entered a new stage of various economic, commercial, transit and energy cooperation," Hossein Amirabdollahian wrote on his Instagram page.

Last year, the rapidly-expanding central Asian security body, whose founding heavyweights are China and Russia, approved Iran's application for accession, while Tehran's hardline rulers called on members to help it form a mechanism to avert sanctions imposed by the West over its disputed nuclear programme. (Reuters)

Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and China signed a trilateral agreement on railway construction, said an Uzbekistan diplomat on Thursday.

On the eve of SCO summit, trilateral agreement on construction of ??-??-?? railway was signed.
Document indicates:
-completion projecting of railway construction in ?? in 1st half of 2023
-financing and cost allocation. pic.twitter.com/doGsfSojci

— Vladimir Norov (@VladimirNorov) September 15, 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to depart for the summit "later today", said the MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi in a tweet on Thursday afternoon.

He added that the PM will hold bilateral meetings with the President of Uzbekistan and "some other leaders attending the summit". It was reported earlier that PM Modi is likely to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin at Samarkand.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Thursday arrived at the Samakand Airport in Uzbekistan to attend the SCO Summit. 

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif being received at Samakand Airport, Uzbekistan. PM has reached there to attend annual SCO Heads of State Summit on 15-16 September 2022 pic.twitter.com/FSBhPM6nB9

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 15, 2022

Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russia's Vladimir Putin and leaders from India and Central Asian nations headed to Uzbekistan on Thursday for a summit of a security group formed by Beijing and Moscow as a counterweight to US influence.

The meeting of the eight-nation Shanghai Cooperation Organisation comes at a time when Putin is isolated abroad following his invasion of Ukraine.

Beijing's relations with Washington, Europe, Japan and India are strained by disputes over technology, security and territory. (AP)

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s first trip overseas since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic will overlap with a visit by Pope Francis to Kazakhstan, although the Vatican says there are no plans for them to meet. Xi’s state visit Wednesday comes just weeks ahead of an all-important political meeting in China where he is expected to take a third term as he cements his grip on power. The pope is in Kazakhstan until Thursday for a state visit and an interfaith congress of world religious leaders.

Asked during his flight to Kazakhstan about a possible meeting with Xi, the pope said, “I don’t have any news about this. But I am always ready to go to China.” The two have been in the same vicinity before and not met, including New York for the United nations General Assembly in 2015 and Xi’s visit to Italy in 2019. (Read more)

Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to meet with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, during a visit to the neighboring Central Asian nation of Uzbekistan this month, in what would be his first overseas visit since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Xi, 69, has participated in global gatherings by video link, but his physical absence and those of other top Chinese leaders has thrown a shadow over Beijing’s global political and economic ambitions. Xi has only left mainland China to make a one-day visit to the semi-autonomous city of Hong Kong on July 1 to speak at a ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of its handover from British to Chinese rule. Xi has overseen a sweeping crackdown on civil rights in the city since pro-democracy protests in 2019, with opposition voices either imprisoned, forced into exile or intimidated into silence. (Read more)

Chinese President Xi Jinping Wednesday started his first foreign trip since the outbreak of the pandemic with a stop in Kazakhstan ahead of a summit with Russia’s Vladimir Putin and other leaders of a Central Asian security group.

Xi Jinping has arrived in Kazakhstan for a 3-day visit, his first trip outside China in more than 2½ years. He will also visit neighbouring Uzbekistan pic.twitter.com/lhTvHk8KYF

— South China Morning Post (@SCMPNews) September 15, 2022

Wearing a blue suit and a face mask, Xi was met on the airport tarmac by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and an honor guard, all of whom wore masks.

Xi’s trip underlines the importance Beijing places on asserting its role as a regional leader amid tension with Washington, Japan and India. (AP)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, sources said Wednesday.