PM Modi thanks Xi Jinping for India's SCO membership

This is the first meeting between the two leaders after India boycotted the high-profile Belt and Road Forum held in Beijing last month in which 29 world leaders took part.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.

It is seen as an effort to repair ties hit by growing differences between the two countries over a host of issues including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and NSG.

This is the first meeting between the two leaders after India boycotted the high-profile Belt and Road Forum held in Beijing last month in which 29 world leaders took part.

'Got the opportunity to meet you again during SCO summit, grateful to you for your efforts and support for India's SCO membership, said PM Modi to Xi Jinping.

PM Modi is on a two-day visit to attend the SCO Summit where India and Pakistan will be inducted as full members of the bloc, in the first ever expansion since its inception in 2001.

India's entry into the China-dominated grouping is seen as a major milestone as it is expected to increase the group's influence in regional geopolitics and trade negotiations besides giving it a pan-Asian hue.

(With agency inputs)