Indian PM Modi arrives in Qingdao for SCO summit

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With Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi touching down in Qingdao Saturday afternoon, all the leaders attending the 18th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit have arrived in the eastern China's coastal city.

"I believe that the Qingdao summit will further enrich the SCO agenda, while heralding a new beginning for India’s engagement with the SCO," Modi said in a Facebook post before his departure.

India joined the SCO as a full member last year, along with its South Asian neighbor Pakistan.

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Both Modi and Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani landed in Qingdao on Saturday afternoon, following Mongolian President Khaltmaa Battulga, who landed at noon. Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon arrived in the morning.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Qingdao late Friday, after a welcome ceremony hosted by his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing.

Xi stressed that cooperation between China and Russia is of the highest level in the world, relative to bilateral relationships among the world's major powers in remarks made Friday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping awards his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin the first-ever Friendship Medal of the People's Republic of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, June 8, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

The Chinese president also bestowed the first Friendship Medal of the People's Republic of China (PRC) to President Putin, describing Putin as his "best friend" and "confidant."

The presidents of Iran, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan also arrived in the city on Friday.

Pakistan's President Mamnoon Hussain disembarks from a plane upon his arrival at Qingdao Liuting International Airport. /VCG Photo

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani arrives at Qingdao Liuting International Airport. /VCG Photo

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives at Qingdao Liuting International Airport for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Qingdao./ Reuters Photo

Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrives at Qingdao Liuting International Airport. /VCG Photo

The 18th SCO Summit will officially begin at 11:00 GMT on Saturday. Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend a welcome banquet and deliver a keynote speech.

Stay tuned to CGTN for more.