Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Bishkek for the 26th SCO Summit after concluding a key Uzbekistan visit that elevated India-Uzbekistan ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm welcome from the Indian diaspora in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, after arriving in the capital on Sunday for the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Leadership Summit. His arrival marked the second leg of his two-country visit, following his state visit to Uzbekistan.

Modi thanked members of the Indian community for what he called a “very special welcome” and said he looked forward to bilateral meetings with several leaders and participation in the SCO summit.

The Prime Minister was received at the airport by Adylbek Kasymaliev, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic. Modi is visiting Kyrgyzstan at the invitation of President Sadyr Zhaparov.

Modi Arrives In Bishkek

Soon after landing, Modi posted on X that he was grateful to Kasymaliev for the warm welcome.

“Landed in Bishkek a short while ago. Grateful to Mr. Adylbek Kasymaliev, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic for the warm welcome,” Modi said.

He added that he would hold bilateral meetings with various leaders before attending the SCO Summit.

The visit is expected to provide India an opportunity to engage with fellow SCO members on regional security, connectivity, trade, energy and other strategic issues.

Indian Diaspora Welcomes PM

Members of the Indian community gathered in Bishkek to welcome the Prime Minister.

Modi described the interaction as a “very special welcome”, writing: “From Bharat to Bishkek, a very special welcome by the Indian community earlier this evening.”

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Modi interacted warmly with members of the Indian community and appreciated their contribution to strengthening relations between India and Kyrgyzstan.

The diaspora interaction also highlighted the people-to-people dimension of India’s engagement with Central Asia.

SCO Summit On Agenda

Modi is in Bishkek to participate in the 26th SCO Leadership Summit, which brings together member states, observers and partner countries.

The summit is expected to provide a platform for discussions on major regional and global issues. India is likely to use its participation to strengthen engagement with Central Asian countries and other SCO members.

Alongside the summit, Modi is scheduled to hold several bilateral meetings with participating leaders.

These meetings could cover trade, investment, connectivity, energy, security and other areas of mutual interest.

India Kyrgyzstan Ties

India and Kyrgyzstan have maintained close diplomatic relations, with cooperation spanning defence, education, healthcare, culture and development partnerships.

Kyrgyzstan is an important partner for India in Central Asia, a region that has gained greater strategic significance because of its location and links to Eurasian markets.

India has also sought to expand connectivity and economic engagement with Central Asian countries while strengthening political and security cooperation.

Modi’s visit provides an opportunity to take these discussions forward at the leadership level.

Uzbekistan Visit Boosts Ties

Before travelling to Kyrgyzstan, Modi concluded a state visit to Uzbekistan, where he held extensive discussions with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The two sides elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, signalling an effort to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors.

The partnership covers areas including trade and investment, infrastructure, digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, energy, space, agriculture, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, education and culture.

The agreement reflects India’s broader push to strengthen long-term economic and strategic partnerships across Central Asia.

$5 Billion Trade Target

India and Uzbekistan also set an ambitious target of raising bilateral trade to $5 billion by 2030.

The two countries plan to work towards this goal by improving market access, connectivity and banking and payment mechanisms.

Greater cooperation in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure and critical minerals is expected to complement traditional areas of economic engagement.

The Uzbekistan agreement gives Modi’s Central Asia visit an important economic dimension ahead of his engagements in Bishkek.

What Happens Next

Modi’s immediate focus in Bishkek will be the SCO Leadership Summit and his scheduled bilateral meetings with participating leaders.

India is expected to push for greater cooperation on regional stability, connectivity, economic development and people-to-people links.

The Prime Minister’s two-country tour comes at a time when India is seeking deeper engagement with Central Asia on trade, energy, technology and strategic issues.

From the upgraded India-Uzbekistan partnership to Modi’s participation in the SCO Summit, the visit is expected to reinforce New Delhi’s diplomatic and economic outreach across the region.