India's Modi arrives in Sochi for informal talks with Putin

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday (May 21) for his country's support for New Delhi's Shanghai Cooperation Organization membership. India and Pakistan were inducted as the permanent members of the regional security bloc, Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), with the support of Russia and five other member states in the organization last year after facing rigorous opposition for a better part of 2016, especially from neighboring China. Modi arrived in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi on Monday morning for informal talks with Putin. "Relationship characterised by deep trust, mutual respect and immense goodwill! Russian President #Putin warmly welcomed PM @narendramodi at Bocharev Creek in #Sochi ahead of the delegation-level talks," tweeted spokesman of Indian foreign ministry, Raveesh Kumar. Modi is expected to visit an educational centre before flying back home.