NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin a four-day Central Asian diplomatic tour on August 29, starting with a two-day state visit to Uzbekistan before travelling to Kyrgyzstan for the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.
Modi will visit Tashkent on August 29–30 at the invitation of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The trip will be Modi’s fourth visit to Uzbekistan, following earlier visits in 2015, 2016 and 2022.
Modi-Mirziyoyev Talks to Focus on Strategic Partnership
A key part of the Tashkent visit will be delegation-level talks between Modi and Mirziyoyev, with both sides expected to review the India-Uzbekistan strategic partnership and identify new areas for cooperation.
According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, discussions will cover trade and investment, defence, digital connectivity, energy, education and people-to-people relations. The leaders will also discuss their respective long-term development programmes, Viksit Bharat 2047 and Uzbekistan-2030.
Critical minerals are also emerging as an important area of interest as India seeks to diversify supplies required for clean-energy technologies, electronics and advanced manufacturing.
Trade, Critical Minerals and Technology in Focus
India has been steadily expanding its engagement with Central Asia, and Uzbekistan occupies an important position in that strategy.
The upcoming discussions are expected to explore opportunities across critical minerals, healthcare, technology, space cooperation and education, alongside traditional areas such as defence and trade.
Educational ties have also expanded substantially. Around 16,000 Indian students are studying in Uzbekistan, while Indian universities have established campuses in the Central Asian country.
During his stay, Modi is also expected to visit the Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial in Tashkent and the Mahatma Gandhi Centre at Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies.
PM Modi Heads to Kyrgyzstan After Uzbekistan
The Uzbekistan visit will be only the first stage of Modi’s Central Asia tour.
From Tashkent, the Prime Minister will travel to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, 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 marks the 25th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, with India having been a full member since 2017.
Modi is expected to address the gathering and highlight India’s priorities around Security, Connectivity and Opportunity. He will also hold bilateral meetings with other SCO leaders on the sidelines.
Modi-Putin Meeting Confirmed for SCO Summit
One of the most closely watched diplomatic engagements will be Modi’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Bishkek summit.
The meeting is expected to cover the India-Russia strategic partnership, including energy, connectivity and economic cooperation, ahead of further high-level engagements between the two countries.
The SCO summit itself is also expected to address regional security, counter-terrorism, connectivity and economic cooperation across Eurasia.
Central Asia Takes Bigger Role in India’s Foreign Policy
Modi’s August 29–September 1 tour underscores India’s growing diplomatic and economic engagement with Central Asia.
For New Delhi, Uzbekistan and other Central Asian republics are important partners in areas ranging from energy and critical minerals to connectivity, security, pharmaceuticals, education and technology.
The immediate focus, however, will be on Tashkent, where the Modi-Mirziyoyev talks could produce new initiatives aimed at expanding the India-Uzbekistan strategic partnership before the Prime Minister moves on to the high-profile SCO gathering in Bishkek.
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