Looking to advance India’s vision for region free from terror, says PM Modi as he embarks on visit to Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan

In this screengrab from a video posted on Aug. 29, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures as he boards the flight for Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in New Delhi. Photo: @NarendraModi/X via PTI Photo

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (August 29, 2026) arrived in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, where he will hold delegation-level talks with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, aiming to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Mr. Modi is embarking on a visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic August 29 to September 1, 2026.

Mr. Modi’s official aircraft on Saturday (August 29) avoided Pakistani airspace and flew over Bangladesh Myanmar and China. The long circular flight path over China is being interpreted as a sign of trust between India and China ahead of SCO and BRICS summits.

In a departure statement, the Prime Minister said that in recent years, India-Uzbekistan Strategic Partnership has seen significant advancement. “I look forward to my discussions with President Mirziyoyev on further deepening our cooperation in trade and investment, digital connectivity, defence, energy, and on advancing our shared visions of Viksit Bharat and Yangi Uzbekistan.”

“I will also visit the Shastri Memorial and the Mahatma Gandhi Centre at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, a tribute to the close cultural and people-to-people ties that bind our two countries,” he added.

From Tashkent, Mr. Modi will travel to Bishkek to participate in the 26th SCO Summit.

“India has been an active and constructive member of the SCO since 2017. I look forward to advancing India’s vision for the region, anchored in Security, Connectivity and Opportunity, and to working with fellow members for a region free from the scourge of terrorism, separatism and extremism, which continue to threaten peace and stability in our neighbourhood and beyond,” Mr. Modi said.

In Bishkek, he will also hold a meeting with President Zhaparov and other SCO leaders, and attend the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games.

“I am confident that this visit will strengthen India’s strategic partnerships in Central Asia, deepen our civilisational connect with the region, and advance our shared pursuit of peace, stability and prosperity, values that lie at the heart of India’s engagement with the world,” Mr. Modi said.

From Tashkent, the Prime Minister will travel to Bishkek to participate in the 26th SCO Summit, at the invitation of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Zhaparov.

Mr. Modi said in his departure statement, “India has been an active and constructive member of the SCO since 2017. I look forward to advancing India’s vision for the region, anchored in security, connectivity and opportunity, and to working with fellow members for a region free from the scourge of terrorism, separatism and extremism, which continue to threaten peace and stability in our neighbourhood and beyond.”

Officials said Mr. Modi will address the SCO summit, where he will highlight India’s priorities of security, connectivity and opportunity. He will also hold bilateral meetings with SCO leaders on the sidelines of the summit, they said.

The Prime Minister also said he would attend the World Nomad Games. “I also look forward to meeting President Zhaparov and other SCO leaders, and to attending the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games, a celebration of the rich living heritage of Central Asia that India holds in deep respect,” he said.