Afghanistan President leaves for SCO summit

Kabul, June 23: Afghanistan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on Thursday left Kabul for Uzbekistan's capital Tashkent to attend the 16th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, an official said.

During his two-day stay, the Afghanistan President on the sideline of the summit is also scheduled to meet Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov and other heads of state to exchange views on matters pertaining mutual interests and regional situation, the official added.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also attending the SCO summit, that will kick off the process for India's absorption as a member of the grouping. India is an observer at the group.

"I am confident that my talks at the SCO Summit will strengthen our bilateral ties with the SCO nations," Modi tweeted on arrival.

Afghanistan received observer status at the SCO in 2012.

IANS