New Delh, August 27, 2026 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a four-day visit to Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic from August 29 to September 1, 2026, combining a bilateral State Visit to Tashkent with participation in the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit) in Bishkek.
Strengthening India-Uzbekistan Strategic Partnership
PM Modi will visit Tashkent from August 29 to 30 at the invitation of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. This will be his fourth visit to Uzbekistan and his second bilateral visit to the Central Asian nation.
During his stay, Prime Minister Modi will hold delegation-level discussions with President Mirziyoyev to further deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries.
The talks are expected to cover a wide range of areas, including:
- Trade and investment
- Defence and security cooperation
- Digital connectivity
- Energy
- Critical minerals
- Healthcare and pharmaceuticals
- Education
- Information technology
- Space and technology
- Culture and people-to-people ties
The two leaders are also expected to discuss ways to advance their respective development visions — Viksit Bharat 2047 and Uzbekistan-2030.
PM Modi is scheduled to visit the Shastri Memorial in Tashkent as well as the Mahatma Gandhi Centre at Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies. A banquet lunch hosted by President Mirziyoyev will also be part of the programme.
Growing Economic and Educational Partnership
India and Uzbekistan have maintained extensive engagement at both bilateral and multilateral levels. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India is among Uzbekistan’s top 10 trading partners, while combined bilateral trade and investments are close to USD 1 billion.
Cooperation has expanded significantly into critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, education, IT and healthcare.
Uzbekistan has also emerged as an important educational destination for Indian students, with more than 16,000 Indian students currently studying in the country and four Indian university campuses operating there.
Indian investments in Uzbekistan span sectors such as pharmaceuticals, automobile components, amusement parks and education.
The upcoming visit is expected to identify additional opportunities for business-to-business cooperation and expand collaboration in emerging sectors.
PM Modi to Attend 26th SCO Summit in Bishkek
From Tashkent, Prime Minister Modi will travel to Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, from August 31 to September 1, at the invitation of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov, to participate in the 26th SCO Summit.
The summit assumes added significance as the SCO marks the 25th anniversary of its establishment.
India became a full member of the SCO in 2017, after holding observer status since 2005. India has previously chaired the SCO Council of Heads of Government in 2020 and the SCO Council of Heads of State during 2022-23.
At the Bishkek summit, PM Modi is expected to address SCO leaders and highlight India’s priorities of security, connectivity and opportunity.
He is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with leaders of SCO member states on the sidelines of the summit.
Focus on Security, Connectivity and Opportunity
India’s engagement with the SCO has been guided by Prime Minister Modi’s SECURE framework — Security, Economy and Trade, Connectivity, Unity, Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and Environment.
The SCO, which has expanded substantially since its establishment, remains an important regional platform for cooperation on security, economic development, connectivity and other shared challenges.
The grouping was initially established with a strong focus on combating terrorism, separatism and extremism, while its agenda has progressively broadened to include economic, technological, cultural and developmental cooperation.
World Nomad Games
During his Kyrgyzstan visit, Prime Minister Modi will also attend the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games, an event celebrating the rich cultural heritage and traditional sporting traditions of Central Asia.
The programme is expected to provide an additional platform for strengthening India’s cultural and people-to-people engagement with the region.
Strategic Significance for India
PM Modi’s four-day Central Asian tour comes at a time when India is seeking to deepen its economic, strategic and connectivity partnerships with Central Asian nations.
The Uzbekistan visit is expected to give fresh momentum to bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, critical minerals, healthcare, education, technology and defence, while the SCO summit will provide an opportunity for India to engage with key regional partners on security, connectivity and economic opportunities.
The visit is ultimately expected to reinforce India’s growing engagement with Central Asia and strengthen its role in regional cooperation through both bilateral partnerships and the SCO platform.
