PM Modi Begins Four-Day Central Asia Visit, India-Kyrgyzstan Ties Set for Boost

August 29, 2026

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi emplaned for his two-nation tour to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan on Saturday, expressing confidence that the visit will strengthen India’s strategic partnerships in Central Asia.

He will first travel to Tashkent for a two-day bilateral visit at the invitation of Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

PM Modi Begins Uzbekistan Visit

In his departure statement, PM Modi said, “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.”

The Prime Minister said that he will also visit the Shastri Memorial and the Mahatma Gandhi Centre at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, which he called “a tribute to the close cultural and people-to-people ties” that bind India and Uzbekistan together.

This will be PM Modi’s fourth visit to Uzbekistan. He had earlier visited Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries in 2015, followed by visits in 2016 and 2022 to attend the SCO Summits.

India and Uzbekistan have maintained extensive and fruitful engagements both in bilateral and multilateral formats over the past many years. The Uzbek President visited India for a State Visit in 2018, and he also participated in the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in 2019.

Kyrgyzstan Eyes Greater Indian Investment

From Tashkent, PM Modi will travel to Bishkek at the invitation of Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov to participate in the 26th SCO Summit, marking 25 years of the organisation.

Kyrgyzstan expects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to give a major boost to bilateral economic ties, investment and trade, with the country keen to attract more Indian companies to sectors including infrastructure, renewable energy, tourism, technology and agro-industry, Kyrgyzstan’s Investment Minister Ravshanbek Sabirov said on Saturday.

Sabirov described PM Modi’s visit as a very significant event for Kyrgyzstan and said the historic visit would help take cooperation between the two countries to a new level.

“We expect this visit to further strengthen the investment potential and economic cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and India,” he said, adding that bilateral trade between the two countries reached around $91 million in 2024.

Kyrgyzstan currently exports products such as honey, dried fruits, beans and gold to India, while Indian products, including cashews and other food items, are available in the Kyrgyz market.

Sabirov said Kyrgyzstan has traditionally enjoyed warm relations with India, including strong cultural ties. He recalled that many Kyrgyz people grew up watching Indian films during the Soviet era and remain familiar with Indian actors and culture.

“We have very good relations with India,” he said, expressing confidence that Kyrgyzstan would warmly welcome PM Modi.

Focus on Trade, Investment and Strategic Ties

The minister said Kyrgyzstan wants to expand cooperation with India through business forums, seminars and training programmes, while also strengthening cultural and strategic ties.

He said President Sadyr Japarov attaches high priority to investment, which Kyrgyzstan sees as essential for modernising the economy and generating employment.

Sabirov said there is considerable scope for cooperation in higher education, particularly as many Indian students already travel to Kyrgyzstan to study medicine. He also identified tourism, medical tourism and industrial cooperation as areas with significant potential.

On attracting Indian investment, Sabirov said PM Modi’s visit would bring greater international attention to Kyrgyzstan and provide an opportunity to showcase the country’s investment opportunities to Indian companies.

He said Kyrgyzstan has laws covering investments, public-private partnerships and venture financing, which provide a framework for foreign investors.

The country is particularly keen to attract Indian companies to infrastructure, hydropower, small hydropower plants, renewable energy, tourism and the agro-industrial sector.

“We will accompany investors, provide assistance and monitor the implementation process,” Sabirov said, adding that the government would support joint investment projects at every stage.

PM Modi to Attend SCO Summit

On his Kyrgyzstan visit, PM Modi said, “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.”

“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,” the Prime Minister said.

“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,” PM Modi added.