LAC disengagement improves ambience ahead of SCO summit

While a PM Narendra Modi-Chinese President Xi Jinping standalone bilateral meet in Samarkand is yet to be confirmed, the decision by India and China to disengage at Gogra Hotsprings (PP-15) along the LAC has improved the atmospherics ahead of the much awaited Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit on Sep 15-16.

ET has learnt that India's decision to participate in the Vostok exercise alongside Chinese troops also contributed to India-China Confidence Building Measure.

India-China ties have touched a new low after the Galwan episode, and two leaders have only met virtually in various multilateral meets. All eyes will be focussed if Modi decides to meet Xi on the sidelines of the SCO Summit. Though nothing has been finalised yet in the current circumstances, the possibility cannot be ruled out, according to persons familiar with the matter.


The crackdown on dubious Chinese financial mechanisms and cell phone manufacturers have also cast a shadow on ties.

Modi is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and other leaders from Central Asia at the summit that has acquired additional significance amid the Ukraine conflict. A key focus of the PM's visit will be his engagements with Central Asian leaders in the backdrop of maiden India-Central Asia Summit held this January. The government is giving impetus to its Central Asian outreach across sectors.

The summit that will also witness presence of leaders from Turkey and Iran will focus on terrorism, radicalism, besides impact of unilateral sanctions on global economy, food security and connectivity links in Eurasia and trade in national currencies. The PM will pitch for inclusive connectivity initiatives - INSTC and Chabahar Port - that provide an alternative to China's Belt and Road Initiative. He is also expected to focus on effective counter-terror measures in the Af-Pak region and Eurasia.