Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed on Saturday for a two-nation visit to Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. The visit aims to advance India's vision for the organisation, which is anchored in security, connectivity, and opportunity.
The prime minister's itinerary begins with a state visit to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from August 29 to August 30, following an invitation from President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Discussions during this leg of the tour are scheduled to focus on deepening bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, digital connectivity, defence, and energy. Both leaders will also discuss their shared visions of 'Viksit Bharat' and 'Yangi Uzbekistan'. Additionally, the prime minister will visit the Shastri Memorial and the Mahatma Gandhi Centre at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies.
Following his stay in Uzbekistan, Prime Minister Modi will travel to Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, at the invitation of President Sadyr Zhaparov. He will participate in the 26th SCO Summit, which marks the 25th anniversary of the organisation. Officials stated that he will address the summit to highlight India's priorities of security, connectivity, and opportunity, while working alongside fellow member states toward a region free from terrorism, separatism, and extremism.
During the visit, Prime Minister Modi is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with other SCO leaders on the sidelines of the summit. Furthermore, he will attend the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games, which celebrates the cultural heritage of Central Asia.
"Diplomatic engagements and international summits play a foundational role in shaping cross-border economic ties, supply chain stability, and regional cooperation. For businesses expanding internationally, stronger bilateral partnerships in sectors like digital connectivity, energy, and trade create a more predictable and secure operating environment across Central Asia." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes
