Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins a four-day visit to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan on Saturday, as India seeks stronger ties across Central Asia. His trip includes talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent and the 26th SCO Summit in Bishkek, where India will focus on security, connectivity and opportunity while deepening regional partnerships and economic cooperation.
The discussions are expected to focus on areas that can directly expand economic and strategic ties between the two countries. Modi is scheduled to visit the Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial and the Mahatma Gandhi Centre in Tashkent. Uzbekistan is a key gateway to Central Asia and has important reserves of gold, uranium and natural gas. The visit could help Indian companies expand in pharmaceuticals, information technology, agriculture, education and transport while opening new opportunities for investment and market access. But geography remains a major hurdle. Pakistan does not offer India a direct land route to the region. The wider strategy also comes as China increases its economic and infrastructure presence across Central Asia. Stronger ties with countries such as Uzbekistan can help India maintain a larger role in the region. India is expected to focus on security, connectivity and opportunity while engaging with Russia, China and the Central Asian states. Key issues are likely to include terrorism, Afghanistan, regional stability, trade and transport links. For India, the real test will be whether the visit produces concrete progress on investment, connectivity and critical minerals rather than diplomatic statements alone.
Because of its role in energy security, counterterrorism, Afghanistan and access to critical minerals, central Asia matters to India. India is therefore backing alternative routes and transport networks, including the Chabahar port in Iran and the International North-South Transport Corridor. Modi will hold talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on August 29 and 30. India and Uzbekistan are also looking at ways to connect India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 goals with Uzbekistan’s Uzbekistan-2030 strategy. India’s trade with Uzbekistan was close to $1 billion in 2025-26, leaving considerable room for growth. After Uzbekistan, Modi will travel to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit from August 31 to September 1. India has been a full SCO member since 2017. The 2026 summit also marks the group’s 25th anniversary.
