PM Modi to visit Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan later this month
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan later this month, with the two-nation tour set to focus on regional security, trade, defence cooperation, and connectivity as India seeks to deepen its engagement with Central Asia.
The visit will have two distinct components.
In Kyrgyzstan, Modi will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit and is expected to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines. In Uzbekistan, he will undertake a bilateral visit focused on expanding cooperation in trade, investment, defence and connectivity.
The visit comes as Central Asia assumes greater strategic importance, with China expanding its presence through the Belt and Road Initiative and Russia continuing to maintain strong influence in the region. India has also stepped up its engagement through initiatives such as the India-Central Asia Dialogue and the India-Central Asia Summit.
Confirmation of the Uzbekistan visit came during Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov's visit to New Delhi this week. He held talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and paid a courtesy call on President Droupadi Murmu. Saidov said preparations for the Prime Minister's visit were underway and expressed confidence that it would further strengthen bilateral ties.
India and Uzbekistan have expanded cooperation in trade, defence, pharmaceuticals, information technology, education and culture. Bilateral trade has crossed the $1 billion mark, and discussions during the visit are expected to focus on improving market access, promoting investment and strengthening business partnerships.
Uzbekistan is also a key partner in India's connectivity initiatives through the International North-South Transport Corridor and Chabahar Port. Defence ties have grown through the annual Dustlik military exercise, while cooperation has also expanded in healthcare, digital technology and capacity building.
In Kyrgyzstan, the SCO Summit will bring together India, China, Russia and Central Asian countries to discuss regional security, connectivity and economic cooperation. India and Kyrgyzstan also maintain defence cooperation through the annual Khanjar special forces exercise, while Indian military institutions train Kyrgyz personnel. India additionally provides nearly 100 training slots annually to Kyrgyz professionals under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation programme.
Sources said the visit is likely to take place in the last week of August, with the final schedule expected to be announced closer to the visit.