Source Hindustan Times
TASHKENT — In a prominent display of camaraderie and informal statecraft, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was warmly received in Uzbekistan by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev late Saturday. Upon landing in Tashkent for his two-day visit, PM Modi was met with a special gesture: the two leaders bypassed standard diplomatic protocols and shared a ride from the airport directly to the presidential palace for a dinner meeting.
Taking to the social media platform X, PM Modi expressed his gratitude, stating, “Landed in Tashkent to a warm welcome by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Grateful to him for the special gesture”.
The Rise of ‘Car Diplomacy’
The transit to the presidential palace marks the latest instance of PM Modi’s “car diplomacy”. This trend of informal engagement in transit gained widespread attention in 2025 when PM Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin shared a vehicle on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Tianjin, China.
Modi has participated in similar unchoreographed gestures with other world leaders. During a 2025 visit to Jordan, Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II personally drove PM Modi to the Jordan Museum in Amman. Likewise, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed personally received Modi and drove him to his hotel during a visit to Ethiopia. These intimate settings offer leaders a chance to build personal rapport away from the strict confines of bilateral meeting rooms.
A Cultural Welcome and Yoga Ties
The Prime Minister’s arrival in Tashkent was celebrated with a vibrant cultural showcase. Members of the Indian diaspora organized a fusion of Indian and Uzbek traditions, featuring Kathak dances combined with the energetic Andijan Polka, alongside a Bollywood-style performance. To honor the visit, landmark buildings across Tashkent, including the iconic Hilton Hotel, were illuminated in the colors of the Indian tricolor.
Beyond his diplomatic talks, PM Modi also attended a local yoga event, praising the host nation’s enthusiasm for the ancient practice. In a video posted to his social media, the Prime Minister remarked that “Uzbekistan loves Yoga,” highlighting the country’s participation in the first-ever World Yogasana Championship held in Ahmedabad earlier this year.
Following his engagements in Uzbekistan, PM Modi is scheduled to travel to Kyrgyzstan to attend the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, where he is expected to hold a series of bilateral meetings on the margins of the gathering.
