Modi meets Armenia PM Pashinyan, eyes closer defence, IT, space ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, August 31, met his Armenian counterpart Nikol Pashinyan on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, saying India-Armenia ties are set to expand across key sectors including defence, IT, space, education and pharmaceuticals.

“A wonderful meeting with Prime Minister of Armenia, Mr. Nikol Pashinyan on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Bishkek,” Modi said in a post on X.

“India-Armenia cooperation is all set to grow in defence,

IT, space, education, pharmaceuticals and more,” he said, adding that the two countries were also looking to deepen trade and investment ties.

Modi arrived in Bishkek on Sunday for the 26th SCO Leadership Summit and is holding bilateral meetings with leaders of member countries on the sidelines. The 10-member grouping is marking the 25th anniversary of its founding this year.

India and Pakistan became full SCO members in 2017, followed by Iran in 2023 and Belarus in 2024. In his departure statement, Modi said he would work with SCO members towards a region free from “terrorism, separatism and extremism”.

Before travelling to Kyrgyzstan, Modi was on a two-day state visit to Uzbekistan from August 29-30, where the two countries elevated their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership and set a target of $5 billion in annual trade by 2030.

During the Uzbekistan visit, Modi also met members of the Indian diaspora, academics, researchers and yoga enthusiasts in Tashkent.

His poems, including Abhi Toh Suraj Uga Hai, were recited in Hindi and Uzbek by students of the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies during an informal dinner hosted by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.