Narendra Modi Meets Xi Jinping Ahead of SCO Summit

On the sidelines, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Astana ahead of the SCO Summit.

Modi, according to reports, thanked Jinping for extending complete support to give India full membership at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

Modi said to the Chinese President that, "I got the opportunity to meet you again during the SCO summit. I am grateful to you for your efforts and support for India's SCO membership."

This is the first meeting of India and China in 2017. This comes soon after the country boycotted OBOR conference that was attended by the Russian President Vladimir Putin. India had boycotted OBOR conference and expressed their concern about the China Pakistan Economic Corridor which is part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI.) This corridor passes through Gilgit and Baltistan. These areas are an integral part of the Jammu and Kashmir in India.

It is also expected that the differences with China over the issue of India's bid for NSG membership will be brought to the attention of Mr. Jinpin, by Mr. Modi during the meeting.