Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a four-day visit to Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic from August 29 to September 1, combining a bilateral state visit with India’s participation in the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. The visit will also include Modi’s participation in the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games.

In his departure statement, Modi said the visit would strengthen India’s strategic partnerships in Central Asia and deepen the country’s civilisational and people-to-people ties with the region. He will first travel to Tashkent at the invitation of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

PM Modi’s Uzbekistan visit: Trade, defence and energy on agenda

Modi will be in Tashkent on August 29 and 30 for a state visit. This will be his fourth visit to Uzbekistan.

During his talks with President Mirziyoyev, the two sides are expected to review cooperation in trade and investment, defence, digital connectivity, energy, education and people-to-people ties. They will also discuss their respective development visions — Viksit Bharat 2047 and Uzbekistan-2030.

The Prime Minister is also scheduled to visit the Shastri Memorial and the Mahatma Gandhi Centre at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, underlining the historical and cultural links between India and Uzbekistan.

Modi to attend 26th SCO Summit in Bishkek

From Tashkent, Modi will travel to Bishkek, where he will participate in the 26th SCO Summit from August 31 to September 1 at the invitation of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov.

The summit is significant as it marks the 25th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. India has been a full member of the SCO since 2017.

At the summit, Modi is expected to highlight India's priorities of Security, Connectivity and Opportunity. He will also hold bilateral meetings with other SCO leaders on the sidelines of the summit.

In his departure statement, Modi said India would work with fellow SCO members towards a region free from terrorism, separatism and extremism, which he described as continuing threats to peace and stability.

World Nomad Games opening ceremony

During his stay in Kyrgyzstan, Modi will also attend the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games, which celebrates the cultural heritage and traditions of Central Asia.

The event provides another avenue for India to highlight its historical and people-to-people connections with the region.

Why the visit matters

The four-day trip brings together India's bilateral engagement with Uzbekistan and its wider Central Asian diplomacy through the SCO.

While the Tashkent leg is focused on strengthening the India-Uzbekistan strategic partnership, the Bishkek leg will give India an opportunity to discuss regional security, connectivity and economic cooperation with SCO partners.

The Prime Minister said he was confident the visit would contribute to peace, stability and prosperity while strengthening India's strategic partnerships across Central Asia.