Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to undertake a four-day visit to Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic from August 29 to September 1, 2026, with bilateral ties, regional cooperation and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) high on the agenda. The visit will begin with a state visit to Uzbekistan before Modi travels to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, to attend the 26th SCO Summit.

Two-Nation Visit

According to the announced schedule, Modi will visit Uzbekistan on August 29 and 30 at the invitation of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. It will be his fourth visit to the Central Asian country.

During his stay in Tashkent, Modi is scheduled to hold delegation-level talks with President Mirziyoyev. The discussions are expected to focus on strengthening the India-Uzbekistan strategic partnership and expanding cooperation across several areas, including trade and investment, defence, digital connectivity, energy, education and people-to-people ties. 

The two sides are also expected to discuss their respective long-term development visions, including India's Viksit Bharat 2047 and Uzbekistan-2030.

Focus on Bilateral Ties

The Uzbekistan leg of the visit is expected to provide an opportunity for India and Uzbekistan to review the progress of their bilateral relationship and identify areas for further cooperation.

India's engagement with Uzbekistan covers sectors such as pharmaceuticals, healthcare, defence, education, information technology and trade. Connectivity is also an important element of India's broader engagement with Central Asia, given the geographical challenges involved in expanding overland trade between India and the region. 

During the visit, Modi is also expected to visit the Shastri Memorial in Tashkent and the Mahatma Gandhi Centre at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies. 

SCO Summit in Bishkek

After completing his Uzbekistan visit, Modi will travel to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, to participate in the 26th SCO Summit from August 31 to September 1.

The summit assumes particular significance as the SCO marks its 25th anniversary this year. India has been a full member of the organisation since 2017.

At the summit, Modi is expected to present India's priorities on security, connectivity and opportunity while participating in discussions with other SCO leaders. Bilateral meetings with leaders attending the summit are also expected to take place on the sidelines. 

World Nomad Games

Modi's Kyrgyzstan visit will also include participation in the opening ceremony of the sixth World Nomad Games. The event is expected to showcase the cultural traditions and heritage of Central Asia and provide another opportunity for people-to-people engagement. 

Central Asia Engagement

The two-country visit comes as India continues to strengthen its engagement with Central Asia amid growing geopolitical and economic interest in the region. New Delhi has been expanding cooperation with Central Asian countries in areas including connectivity, defence, trade, healthcare, education and technology.

The upcoming visit is therefore expected to serve both bilateral and multilateral objectives, with the Uzbekistan meetings focused primarily on strengthening the strategic partnership and the Kyrgyzstan leg centred on the SCO Summit and regional cooperation. 

Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister Saidov Bakhtiyor Odilovich has arrived in India on a four-day official visit aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries. The visit, scheduled from August 2 to August 5, will focus on expanding cooperation in trade, connectivity, investment, technology and regional security under India's Connect Central Asia policy.

The high-level visit comes as New Delhi and Tashkent seek to deepen economic and strategic engagement across multiple sectors.

High-Level Meetings Scheduled

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the visiting foreign minister reached New Delhi on Sunday.

During the visit, he will call on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan and hold delegation-level talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at Hyderabad House.

The discussions are expected to review the full spectrum of bilateral relations and identify new areas for collaboration.

Trade and Investment in Focus

A key highlight of the visit will be participation in a business forum in New Delhi, where the Uzbek foreign minister will interact with Indian industry leaders.

The forum is expected to promote greater investment and private-sector partnerships in sectors including:

• Pharmaceuticals

• Information Technology

• Manufacturing

• Emerging technologies

Both countries are looking to expand economic cooperation by encouraging greater business-to-business engagement.

Connectivity to Top Agenda

Improving connectivity between India and Central Asia is expected to be a major focus of the bilateral discussions.

The two sides are likely to explore ways to enhance regional trade through strategic connectivity projects such as:

• International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)

• Chabahar Port in Iran

Strengthening these transport links is expected to improve access between India and Central Asian markets while boosting regional trade.

Strategic Cooperation

Apart from economic ties, India and Uzbekistan are expected to discuss cooperation in several strategic sectors, including:

• Critical minerals

• Digital public infrastructure

• Defence collaboration

• Counter-terrorism

• Regional security

The discussions reflect growing strategic convergence between the two countries amid evolving geopolitical and economic developments in the region.

Growing Bilateral Engagement

The visit follows a series of high-level interactions between New Delhi and Tashkent over the past year.

The two foreign ministers have already met on the sidelines of several international forums earlier in 2026, underlining the growing momentum in bilateral relations.

The latest visit is expected to further strengthen cooperation under India's broader engagement with Central Asia.

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score at six separate FIFA World Cups as Portugal thrashed Uzbekistan 5-0 on Wednesday, the veteran captain adding two goals to secure his nation’s first win of the 2026 tournament.

Ronaldo opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a low, well‑placed finish from João Cancelo’s cross, and added a second in the 39th minute after a threaded pass from Bruno Fernandes split Uzbekistan’s defence. The 41‑year‑old’s early strike completed a landmark sequence: goals at the 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and now 2026 World Cups, officials noted. He also moved past Eusébio to become Portugal’s all‑time World Cup top scorer, with 10 goals.

“It’s a historic moment for him and for Portugal,” a team source said. Further comments from the dressing room were not immediately available. When asked about Lionel Messi after the match, Ronaldo brushed off the question and said simply, “Next question,” according to broadcasters at Houston Stadium.

Portugal kept the pressure up after the opener. Nuno Mendes struck in the 17th minute after Portugal earned a free‑kick following a foul on Pedro Neto. The visitors’ dominance continued and Portugal led 3-0 by half‑time after Ronaldo’s second.

Early in the second half a Bruno Fernandes corner produced chaos in the Uzbekistan area; a back‑heel flick looped off a defender and through goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov’s gloves for what was ruled an own goal in the 59th minute. Substitute Rafael Leão sealed the rout with a superb finish in the 87th minute, tapping in after a Nelson Semedo cut‑back.

Portugal had opened the tournament with a 1-1 draw against DR Congo, making this emphatic win an important response for Fernando Santos’ side. Officials said the result should give the team momentum as it navigates a tricky Group L.

Ronaldo’s record strikes a historical note beyond goals. He and Argentina captain Lionel Messi are both contesting their sixth World Cup in 2026 — the first players to ever appear at six editions. Messi, who missed scoring at one of his earlier tournaments, has nonetheless been prolific in 2026, netting five goals so far for Argentina.

Ronaldo’s two goals in Houston bring him to two for the current tournament; he had been kept off the scoresheet against DR Congo. Broadcasters captured his trademark “Siu” celebration after each strike, a familiar sight for fans around the globe.

Elsewhere in Group L, England were held to a 0-0 draw by Ghana in a match that left group positions tightly balanced. Croatia beat Panama 1-0 thanks to Ante Budimir’s lone strike. The results left England top of the group on goal difference, Ghana second and Croatia third, with Panama bottom as the group stage progresses.

Why it matters
Ronaldo’s record is a landmark in World Cup history and a reminder of his longevity at the highest level. For Portugal, the convincing win restores confidence after a nervy start; for Uzbekistan, the heavy defeat exposes defensive frailties the coaching staff will need to address. England’s draw with Ghana highlights Group L’s competitiveness — and how quickly standings can shift in the early rounds.

Further details on injuries, lineup changes and coach comments are awaited as teams prepare for their next fixtures.