PM Modi’s Uzbekistan Visit, SCO Summit to Put Focus on Trade and Regional Security

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a four-day visit to Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic from August 29 to September 1, combining efforts to deepen India’s expanding strategic partnership with Central Asia with high-level discussions on regional security, terrorism and connectivity at the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek.

In the first leg of the visit, Modi will undertake a State Visit to Uzbekistan from August 29 to 30 at the invitation of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The two leaders will hold delegation-level talks to further strengthen the India - Uzbekistan strategic partnership and review cooperation in trade and investment, defence, digital connectivity, energy, education and people-to-people ties.

The visit will be Modi’s fourth visit to Uzbekistan and his second bilateral visit to the Central Asian nation. India and Uzbekistan established a Strategic Partnership in 2011, with cooperation steadily expanding across political, economic, defence and multilateral platforms. The leaders will also exchange views on advancing their respective long-term development visions, Viksit Bharat 2047 and Uzbekistan-2030.

Economic engagement is expected to feature prominently. India is among Uzbekistan’s top 10 trading partners, with bilateral trade and investments together close to $1 billion. The two countries have also agreed to work towards doubling bilateral trade within three years, while exploring wider cooperation in sectors including mining, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, textiles, technology and digital infrastructure.

Modi is also expected to visit the Shastri Memorial and the Mahatma Gandhi Centre at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, underlining the historical and cultural links that complement the modern strategic partnership. More than 16,000 Indian students are studying in Uzbekistan, while four Indian university campuses operate in the country.

From Tashkent, Modi will travel to Bishkek from August 31 to September 1 at the invitation of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov to attend the 26th SCO Summit, which coincides with the organisation’s 25th anniversary. India has been a full SCO member since 2017.

The summit is expected to focus extensively on the evolving regional security situation. The SCO was established to counter terrorism, separatism and extremism, challenges that continue to confront the region. Modi will address the summit and highlight India’s priorities of Security, Connectivity and Opportunity, while reiterating New Delhi’s concerns over terrorism and regional stability.