PM Modi Begins Central Asia Visit, Uzbekistan Talks and SCO Summit on Agenda
New Delhi, August 29, 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has begun a four-day diplomatic visit to Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic, with the tour aimed at strengthening India’s strategic engagement with Central Asia and advancing cooperation in areas including trade, investment, defence, energy and digital connectivity.
Modi arrived in Tashkent on Saturday for a two-day state visit at the invitation of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. This is his fourth visit to Uzbekistan, highlighting the growing importance of the country’s relationship with India.
India-Uzbekistan Partnership in Focus
During his stay in Tashkent, Modi is scheduled to hold delegation-level discussions with President Mirziyoyev. The talks are expected to cover a broad range of subjects, including trade and investment, defence cooperation, digital connectivity, energy, education and closer people-to-people relations.
The two sides are also expected to discuss their respective long-term development visions, including India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 and Uzbekistan’s Uzbekistan-2030 programme.
The Prime Minister is also scheduled to visit the Shastri Memorial and the Mahatma Gandhi Centre at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies. These engagements are intended to highlight the historical and cultural links between India and Uzbekistan.
Next Stop: Bishkek
Following his Uzbekistan programme, Modi will travel to Bishkek to participate in the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, scheduled for August 31 and September 1.
The summit carries additional significance because it marks the 25th anniversary of the SCO. India has been a full member of the organisation since 2017.
At the summit, Modi is expected to present India’s priorities around security, connectivity and opportunity. Countering terrorism, separatism and extremism will also remain important themes in India’s regional approach.
Meetings With SCO Leaders
The Prime Minister is expected to hold bilateral discussions with several leaders on the sidelines of the summit. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are among the major leaders expected to participate.
A meeting between Modi and Putin is also scheduled on the margins of the SCO gathering, with the two leaders expected to review the broader India-Russia relationship as well as regional and international developments.
World Nomad Games
Modi’s Kyrgyzstan programme will also include participation in the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games, an international event showcasing the traditional sports and cultural heritage of Central Asia.
Strategic Importance for India
The visit comes at a time when India is seeking deeper economic, security and connectivity links with Central Asian countries. Central Asia is strategically important for India because of its location, energy resources, commercial opportunities and relevance to regional security.
New Delhi’s engagement with the region has expanded considerably over the past decade, while the SCO provides an additional platform for India to interact with major Eurasian powers and neighbouring countries.
Modi has said he expects the tour to strengthen India’s strategic partnerships in Central Asia while promoting peace, stability and prosperity.
The four-day visit therefore combines bilateral diplomacy with wider multilateral engagement, beginning with Uzbekistan and concluding with the SCO Summit in Kyrgyzstan.
