BISHKEK: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Kyrgyzstan on Monday for the two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, where he is expected to hold a series of high-level bilateral meetings with regional leaders.
Pezeshkian reached the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek accompanied by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. His visit comes as the region faces heightened geopolitical tensions following recent US military action against Iran.
On the sidelines of the SCO summit, Pezeshkian met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking the first meeting between the two leaders in two years, according to Indian media reports.
The Iranian president is also scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin during the summit. His agenda includes discussions with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon.
Pezeshkian is due to address the SCO gathering of heads of state on the second day of his visit, where regional cooperation and international developments are expected to feature prominently.
Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also departed Ankara on Monday for Bishkek to attend the SCO summit.
Erdogan travelled aboard a special aircraft with his wife, Emine Erdogan, and a high-level delegation. The aircraft left Ankara Airport at 9am local time.
Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz, Presidential Secretary-General Hakki Susmaz, Ankara Governor Yakup Canbolat and other officials were present at the airport to see Erdogan off.
