New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Tashkent on August 29, beginning the first leg of his four-day Central Asia visit, where Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev personally received him at Tashkent International Airport. The special welcome underlined the growing strategic partnership, bilateral diplomacy and expanding cooperation between India and Uzbekistan.
PM Modi’s visit marks his fourth trip to Uzbekistan, following his earlier visits in 2015, 2016 and 2022. The Prime Minister’s two-day State Visit to Uzbekistan, from August 29 to 30, comes as New Delhi and Tashkent seek to further deepen their strategic, economic and developmental partnership.
Soon after his arrival in Tashkent, Prime Minister Modi expressed his gratitude to President Mirziyoyev for the warm reception and personal gesture. In a post on social media platform X, PM Modi said, “Landed in Tashkent to a warm welcome by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Grateful to him for the special gesture.” “This is my fourth visit to Uzbekistan, reflecting the depth and growing momentum of our bilateral relations,” PM Modi said, highlighting the expanding India-Uzbekistan partnership and the importance of bilateral diplomacy between New Delhi and Tashkent.
Landed in Tashkent to a warm welcome by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Grateful to him for the special gesture.
This is my fourth visit to Uzbekistan, reflecting the depth and growing momentum of our bilateral relations.
Toshkentga yetib keldim va Prezident Shavkat Mirziyoyev… pic.twitter.com/vAjST9OzuK
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 29, 2026
In a message in Uzbek, Prime Minister Modi also conveyed his appreciation for the warm welcome, describing his fourth visit as a reflection of the strength, depth and growing momentum of India-Uzbekistan relations. President Mirziyoyev’s personal reception of PM Modi at Tashkent International Airport was seen as a significant gesture reflecting the importance both countries attach to their expanding strategic partnership.
India-Uzbekistan strategic partnership set for further boost
During his State Visit to Uzbekistan, PM Modi will hold high-level bilateral discussions and delegation-level talks with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The India-Uzbekistan talks are expected to focus on strengthening strategic cooperation and advancing a broad bilateral agenda across key sectors.
The two leaders are expected to explore ways to align India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision with Uzbekistan’s Uzbekistan-2030 development strategy. The discussions are set to cover trade and investment, defence cooperation, digital connectivity, critical minerals, energy, education, healthcare and other priority sectors.
Economic cooperation, regional connectivity and stronger India-Central Asia engagement are expected to remain important elements of PM Modi’s Uzbekistan visit. India and Uzbekistan have steadily expanded cooperation in trade, connectivity, security, defence, energy and people-to-people exchanges, reflecting Central Asia’s growing strategic importance for New Delhi.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan: On Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit, Senior Hindi Teacher and Indologist, Bayot Rakhmatov says, "I have an experience from 11 years ago, in 2015, when Narendra Modi made an official visit to Uzbekistan. During that visit, he met with Indologists here. He… pic.twitter.com/N7tCziQNW1
— IANS (@ians_india) August 29, 2026
Cultural and historical ties will also form an important part of PM Modi’s programme in Tashkent. The Prime Minister is scheduled to pay respects at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial, commemorating India’s second Prime Minister, who died in the Uzbek capital in January 1966 following the signing of the Tashkent Declaration.
PM Modi will also visit the Mahatma Gandhi Centre at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, highlighting the longstanding cultural, educational and civilisational connections between India and Uzbekistan.
Ahead of PM Modi’s arrival, Tashkent was illuminated and decorated in the colours of the Indian Tricolour, creating a distinctive welcome for the Indian delegation and reflecting the warmth surrounding the Prime Minister’s Central Asia visit.
PM Modi to attend SCO summit in Bishkek after Tashkent visit
Following the conclusion of his Uzbekistan engagements, PM Modi will travel from Tashkent to Bishkek in the Kyrgyz Republic for the second leg of his four-day Central Asia tour. He will participate in the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, scheduled to be held from August 31 to September 1.
At the SCO Summit in Bishkek, PM Modi is expected to emphasise India’s priorities of regional security, connectivity and economic opportunity. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting will provide an important platform for discussions on terrorism, regional security and challenges confronting the wider Eurasian region.
PM Modi is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with major regional and global leaders on the sidelines of the SCO Summit, including Russian President Vladimir Putin. The four-day Central Asia visit reflects India’s growing diplomatic, strategic and economic engagement with Uzbekistan, the Kyrgyz Republic and the wider Central Asian region.
PM Modi’s warm welcome in Tashkent by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has set the stage for high-level India-Uzbekistan bilateral talks, followed by India’s participation in the SCO Summit in Bishkek.
PM Modi’s arrival in Uzbekistan on August 29 and the special reception by President Mirziyoyev underline the growing momentum in India-Uzbekistan relations, while the broader Central Asia visit is expected to strengthen India’s strategic partnerships, connectivity initiatives, economic engagement and diplomatic presence across the region.
