Modi-Pashinyan bilateral meeting at SCO Summit

On August 31, 2026, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The leaders discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation in defence, economy, pharmaceuticals, science and technology, culture, and education. They also exchanged views on regional and global developments, including the situation in West Asia. Modi reiterated India's commitment to deepening ties with Armenia. The meeting highlighted the growing defence partnership, with Armenia having procured advanced defence equipment from India, including rocket and radar systems. Modi also expressed gratitude for Armenia's role in facilitating the evacuation of Indian nationals stranded in Iran. The meeting was attended by Indian officials including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. Modi also paid tribute at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial in Bishkek and interacted with the Kyrgyz community. He was scheduled to meet Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin later in the day, and to address the 26th SCO Summit the following day.