PM Modi Begins Central Asia Visit, Puts Strategic Ties and SCO Priorities in Focus
New Delhi, August 29, 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has begun a four-day diplomatic tour of Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic, with the visit expected to give fresh momentum to India’s engagement with Central Asia. The Prime Minister’s itinerary includes high-level bilateral discussions in Tashkent and participation in the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek.
The visit, scheduled from August 29 to September 1, comes at a time when Central Asia is becoming increasingly significant for India’s strategic, economic and connectivity interests. Modi will first travel to Uzbekistan before moving to Kyrgyzstan for the 26th SCO Summit.
Talks With Uzbekistan’s President
The first stage of the tour will take place in Tashkent, where Modi is scheduled to meet Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
The two leaders are expected to review the progress of the India-Uzbekistan strategic partnership and discuss opportunities for expanding cooperation across several sectors. The agenda includes trade and investment, defence, digital connectivity, energy, education and people-to-people exchanges.
The discussions are also expected to explore cooperation in areas such as healthcare, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, critical minerals and technology, reflecting the broader economic potential of the relationship. Uzbekistan has said that the two sides are also looking at expanding political, cultural and humanitarian exchanges.
Focus on Long-Term Development
An important element of the Tashkent discussions will be the development visions of both countries.
India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision and Uzbekistan’s Uzbekistan-2030 programme are expected to provide a framework for discussions about economic modernisation, technology and sustainable development.
Modi’s visit will also include engagements highlighting the historical and cultural connections between India and Uzbekistan. He is expected to visit the Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial and the Mahatma Gandhi Centre at Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies.
From Tashkent to Bishkek
After completing his Uzbekistan engagements, Modi will travel to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, for the 26th SCO Summit, scheduled for August 31 and September 1.
The summit has additional significance because it marks 25 years of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. India became a full member of the organisation in 2017 and has since used the platform to participate in discussions on regional security, connectivity and economic cooperation.
At the summit, Modi is expected to present India’s priorities around security, connectivity and opportunity. India has also stressed the importance of addressing terrorism, separatism and extremism as threats to regional stability.
Meeting With Vladimir Putin Expected
One of the closely watched diplomatic engagements during the SCO gathering will be Modi’s scheduled meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed that the two leaders will meet on the sidelines of the summit. They are expected to review the broader India-Russia relationship, following recent high-level contacts between the two countries.
The meeting comes shortly after External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Moscow, adding further importance to the upcoming leadership-level discussion.
A Wider Regional Role for India
Modi’s Central Asia tour is more than a series of diplomatic meetings. It reflects India’s effort to deepen engagement with a region that connects South Asia with Russia, China and wider Eurasian markets.
Trade routes, energy cooperation, digital links, critical minerals, education and security are increasingly important components of India’s Central Asia policy. Strengthening relationships with countries such as Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan can therefore provide India with additional avenues for economic and strategic cooperation.
Cultural Diplomacy Also on the Agenda
The visit is not limited to political and economic discussions. Modi is also scheduled to attend the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan.
The event provides an opportunity to highlight the cultural connections between India and Central Asia and adds a people-to-people dimension to the Prime Minister’s diplomatic programme.
What the Visit Could Mean for India
The four-day tour could strengthen India’s relationships with key Central Asian partners while giving New Delhi an opportunity to articulate its priorities at a major multilateral forum.
From expanding bilateral trade to improving connectivity and addressing regional security concerns, the visit places Central Asia firmly within India’s broader foreign-policy agenda.
As Modi moves from Tashkent to Bishkek, attention will remain focused on the agreements and diplomatic outcomes that emerge from his meetings with regional leaders and his participation in the SCO summit.
