Narendra Modi says he wants a region "free from the scourge of terrorism" ahead of SCO summit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Kyrgyzstan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s 26th summit, scheduled for August 31 through September 1 and marking the bloc’s 25th anniversary. Modi is expected to hold bilateral talks on the sidelines with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and he will attend the opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games. In a departure statement, Modi said he looked forward to advancing a regional agenda centered on mutual security, improved links and economic opportunity, and to cooperating with fellow leaders against armed militancy and separatist movements. He also described the trip as a chance to strengthen India’s strategic partnerships and cultural ties with Central Asia. The ten-member SCO was founded in 2001 by Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.