Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Tashkent on Saturday, August 29, 2026, for a two-day visit to Uzbekistan at the invitation of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. During the visit, Modi will hold bilateral talks with Mirziyoyev before travelling to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, on August 31 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Modi and Mirziyoyev will review bilateral relations during delegation-level talks. Discussions will cover trade and investment, defence cooperation, energy, digital connectivity, education and ways to increase people-to-people contacts. The two sides are also expected to identify priorities for future cooperation.
The leaders may discuss opportunities for cooperation between India's 'Viksit Bharat 2047' and Uzbekistan's 'Uzbekistan-2030' long-term development goals.
Modi may also visit the Shastri Memorial and the Mahatma Gandhi Centre at Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies. At the university, he is expected to interact with Indologists and scholars associated with Indian culture.
Critical minerals could play a role in expanding economic ties between India and Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan is rich in natural resources, while India is seeking to increase secure and stable supplies of critical minerals for its technological and industrial requirements.
The two sides may consider possibilities for long-term supply arrangements and cooperation in related sectors. Discussions may also cover expanding partnerships in pharmaceuticals, healthcare, traditional medicine, agriculture and fintech.
According to Smita Pant, India's Ambassador to Uzbekistan, trade and investment between the two countries have increased in recent years. However, geographical distance and limited transport connectivity between the two countries remain challenges to expanding trade.
Strengthening connectivity could therefore be among the key issues during Modi's visit. Improved transport and logistics networks could help increase imports and exports between the two countries.
According to Sibi George, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, this will be Modi's fourth visit to Uzbekistan. He previously visited Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries in 2015 and travelled to Uzbekistan in 2016 and 2022 to attend SCO summits.
India-Uzbekistan relations extend beyond economic and strategic areas, with the two countries also sharing longstanding historical and cultural ties.
After his Uzbekistan visit, Modi will travel to Bishkek on August 31 and lead the Indian delegation at the 26th SCO Summit.
The SCO is marking its 25th anniversary this year. The theme of the summit is '25 Years of SCO: Together Towards Sustainable Peace, Development and Prosperity'. Member countries will discuss regional security, economic cooperation, connectivity, development and other shared challenges.
