Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday embarked on a four-day visit to Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic, with the tour focused on strengthening India’s strategic partnerships in Central Asia and participating in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
Modi will first visit Tashkent on August 29 and 30 at the invitation of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. During the state visit, the two leaders are expected to discuss ways to deepen cooperation in trade and investment, defence, digital connectivity, energy and education. The Prime Minister is also scheduled to visit the Shastri Memorial and the Mahatma Gandhi Centre at Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies.
From Uzbekistan, Modi will travel to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, to attend the 26th SCO Summit from August 31 to September 1. The summit marks 25 years of the regional organisation and is expected to bring together several major leaders from the grouping.
Ahead of his departure, Modi said India would push its vision for the region based on “Security, Connectivity and Opportunity”. He also stressed the need for cooperation among SCO members to counter terrorism, separatism and extremism.
The visit is also expected to provide an opportunity for Modi to hold bilateral meetings with other SCO leaders on the sidelines of the summit. A meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin has been scheduled, according to government officials.
In Bishkek, Modi will also attend the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games, which celebrates the cultural heritage of Central Asia.
The four-day tour comes as India seeks to expand its engagement with Central Asian countries across security, connectivity, energy, trade and cultural cooperation. Modi said he was confident the visit would strengthen India’s strategic partnerships in the region and contribute to shared goals of peace, stability and prosperity.
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