Source The Hindu
TASHKENT, Aug 29 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Tashkent on Saturday, kicking off a pivotal four-day diplomatic tour of Central Asia. The journey begins with a two-day state visit to Uzbekistan and will culminate at the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Warmly received at the airport by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, PM Modi’s visit underscores India’s growing strategic and economic footprint in the region. Over the weekend, the two leaders will hold delegation-level talks to evaluate and expand the India-Uzbekistan strategic partnership. Key areas of focus include scaling bilateral trade—which currently stands at $1.5 billion—and unlocking new investments in defense, digital connectivity, critical minerals, and energy.
In his departure statement, PM Modi expressed optimism about advancing the shared developmental visions of “Viksit Bharat” and “Yangi Uzbekistan”. Emphasizing deep civilizational ties, his Tashkent itinerary also includes visits to the Shastri Memorial and the Mahatma Gandhi Centre at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies.
Following his engagements in Uzbekistan, the Prime Minister will travel to Bishkek on August 31 at the invitation of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov. There, he will attend the 26th SCO Summit, a high-level gathering marking the 25th anniversary of the regional organization.
At the summit, India is expected to champion an agenda centered on security, connectivity, and opportunity. Modi noted that he looks forward to working with fellow SCO members to promote a region free from terrorism, separatism, and extremism.
Diplomacy on the sidelines of the summit will also draw global attention. A bilateral meeting has been scheduled between PM Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, where the two leaders are expected to review the broader spectrum of India-Russia relations amid shifting global dynamics. Additionally, PM Modi will attend the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games in Bishkek, celebrating Central Asia’s rich cultural heritage.
