<span style="color: #222222;">Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached New Delhi tonight after attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Uzbekistan's city of Samarkand. In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, he had productive multilateral and bilateral engagements at the SCO Summit. He thanked the people and Government of Uzbekistan for their hospitality.<br />'' <br />'' Earlier, briefing the media on the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Samarkand, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said, the Prime Minister shared India's perspective on the regional and international situation and highlighted the issues of peace and security including Afghanistan. He said, the Prime Minister emphasized on the need for greater cooperation to tackle terrorism in the region.<br />'' <br />'' The Prime Minister also emphasized on the need of better connectivity which is essential for better trade between India and Central Asian countries. Mr. Kwatra said, the Prime Minister reiterated his support for the ongoing expansion of the SCO. He said, India welcomes Iran and Belarus as a new member state.  <br />'' <br />'' The Foreign Secretary said the Prime Minister also drew attention for substantive cooperation in the field of trade and economy, humanitarian and development partnership among the members of SCO.<br />'' <br />'' He said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked all the member states of SCO for endorsing Varanasi as the first ever SCO tourist and cultural capital during the upcoming year 2022-23.</span><br />''  <br />