Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday began his three-day diplomatic tour of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, with the visit set to focus on strengthening India’s strategic engagement with Central Asia, expanding bilateral cooperation and reinforcing ties rooted in centuries-old cultural connections.
Modi’s first stop will be Uzbekistan, where he is scheduled to meet President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for delegation-level discussions. The talks are expected to cover key areas including trade, investment, digital connectivity, defence and energy.
The Uzbekistan leg marks Modi’s fourth visit to the Central Asian country and comes as India seeks to further expand its economic and strategic presence in the region.
Ahead of his departure, Modi said the visit would provide an opportunity to advance India’s cooperation with both countries while contributing to broader regional stability.
“I look forward to my discussions with President Mirziyoyev on further deepening our cooperation in trade and investment, digital connectivity, defence, energy, and on advancing our shared visions of Viksit Bharat and Yangi Uzbekistan,” Modi said.
Modi To Pay Tribute To India-Uzbekistan Cultural Ties
During his stay in Tashkent, the Prime Minister is also scheduled to visit the Shastri Memorial and the Mahatma Gandhi Centre at Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies.
The visits are expected to underline the longstanding cultural and people-to-people relationship between India and Uzbekistan.
After concluding his Uzbekistan engagements, Modi will travel to Kyrgyzstan on August 30 for the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek.
The summit comes at a significant juncture as the SCO marks its 25th anniversary. India has been a full member of the organisation since 2017.
PM Modi To Meet Putin, Other SCO Leaders
On the sidelines of the SCO Summit, Modi is expected to hold bilateral meetings with several leaders of member countries. Among them is Russian President Vladimir Putin, with discussions likely to cover bilateral and regional issues.
Modi will also attend the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan, adding a cultural dimension to his visit.
The Prime Minister said India would use the SCO platform to promote greater security, connectivity and economic opportunities across the region.
“I look forward to advancing India’s vision for the region, anchored in Security, Connectivity and Opportunity, and to working with fellow members for a region free from the scourge of terrorism, separatism and extremism, which continue to threaten peace and stability in our neighbourhood and beyond,” Modi said.
The three-day tour is expected to provide India with an opportunity to deepen partnerships with key Central Asian nations while pushing cooperation in strategic, economic and cultural spheres.
Modi also said the visit would contribute to India’s “shared pursuit of peace, stability and prosperity, values that lie at the heart of India’s engagement with the world.”
