PM Modi arrives in Tashkent for Uzbekistan visit, SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Tashkent on Saturday for a two-day visit to Uzbekistan, where he is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev before travelling to Kyrgyzstan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.

Uzbek President Mirziyoyev received Modi at the airport after his arrival late Saturday. His special aircraft took a longer route through Chinese airspace as Pakistani airspace remains closed to Indian aircraft, people familiar with the matter said.

Modi thanked Mirziyoyev on social media for the “special gesture” of welcoming him at the airport, saying his fourth visit to Uzbekistan reflected the depth and growing momentum of bilateral ties.

Soon after his arrival, Modi laid a wreath at Yangi Uzbekistan Park, highlighting the longstanding friendship between India and Uzbekistan.

Ahead of his departure from New Delhi, Modi said the visit would strengthen India’s strategic partnerships in Central Asia, deepen civilisational ties and advance shared goals of peace, stability and prosperity.

Modi-Mirziyoyev talks

Modi is scheduled to meet Mirziyoyev on Sunday for discussions on expanding cooperation in trade, investment, digital connectivity, defence and energy. The talks are also expected to focus on advancing the shared visions of “Viksit Bharat” and “Yangi Uzbekistan”.

During his stay, Modi will visit the Shastri Memorial and the Mahatma Gandhi Centre at Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies.

Uzbekistan is a partner country in the BRICS grouping, currently chaired by India. It is also among India’s top 10 trading partners. Defence cooperation between the two countries has expanded over the years, with the seventh edition of the Dustlik joint military exercise held in April this year.

Uzbekistan is also the third-largest source of medical tourists to India and is home to more than 18,000 Indians, including around 16,000 medical students.

Modi to travel to Kyrgyzstan for SCO summit

After his Uzbekistan visit, Modi will travel to Bishkek on August 31 for the 26th SCO Summit, which will mark the organisation’s 25th anniversary.

“India has been an active and constructive member of the SCO since 2017,” Modi said, adding that he looked forward to advancing India’s vision for the region, centred on “Security, Connectivity and Opportunity”.

He said India would work with fellow SCO members towards a region free from terrorism, separatism and extremism, which continue to threaten peace and stability.

In Kyrgyzstan, Modi is expected to meet President Sadyr Zhaparov and other SCO leaders. He will also attend the opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games, which celebrates Central Asian heritage.

The Prime Minister is expected to hold several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the SCO summit, including one with Russian President Vladimir Putin.