New Delhi/Tashkent, August 30: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has begun a four-day visit to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, with strengthening India’s strategic engagement with Central Asia at the centre of the tour.
Modi arrived in Tashkent on Saturday and was received by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The Prime Minister also met members of the Indian community during his visit.
During his Uzbekistan visit, Modi is scheduled to hold delegation-level discussions with President Mirziyoyev. The two sides are expected to review cooperation in trade and investment, defence, energy, digital connectivity, education and people-to-people relations.
This is Modi’s fourth visit to Uzbekistan and comes at a time when India is seeking to expand its economic and strategic footprint in Central Asia.
Following his Uzbekistan visit, Modi will travel to Kyrgyzstan to attend the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek from August 31 to September 1.
The SCO summit is expected to provide India an important platform for discussions on regional security, connectivity, economic cooperation and broader geopolitical developments.
Why it matters:
India’s growing engagement with Central Asia is strategically important for trade routes, energy security, defence cooperation and regional connectivity.