PM Modi participates in a yoga session in Uzbekistan
Tashkent: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 30, Sunday attended a yoga programme organised by the ‘Yoga Federation of Uzbekistan’ in Tashkent. The Prime Minister is on a two-day state visit to Uzbekistan, from August 29 to 30. He landed in Tashkent on August 29, Saturday for his fourth visit to the Central Asian nation.
PM Modi will hold delegation-level talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries. Upon his visit, landmark buildings across the Uzbek capital, including the iconic Hilton Hotel, were lit in the vibrant tricolour hues of the Indian national flag.
During the yoga session, PM Modi interacted with the participants and Tashkent residents in the venue and also posed for a group photograph along with the yoga enthusiasts. The yoga programme in a Central Asian nation reflects India’s immense soft power strength and how world has acknowledged India’s civilisational wisdom Yoga, as a tool for health and well-being.
Residents of Tashkent praised the yoga event and highlighted the role of yoga in strengthening ties between India and Uzbekistan. After participating in the yoga programme, Kristina, a resident of Tashkent, said that the event was a great experience and expressed hope that yoga would bring the two countries closer.
Speaking to ANI, Kristina said, “It was a great experience, especially with such a great person who came to Uzbekistan. It was really a great experience. I think it (Yoga) will take the relationship to a new level. It will bring the two countries closer and strengthen the friendship”.
Another Tashkent resident, Mariam, also expressed happiness for being part of the programme. Speaking to ANI, Mariam said, “It’s a very beautiful feeling, and I feel healthy and very happy to be here. We have had so many events, including this year’s International Yoga Day. Today’s event was very good. It’s a great pleasure to be here, to be invited, and to be a part of this event. We trained with our group at the Indian Yoga Centre”.
Earlier on August 15, in his Independence Day address to the nation, PM Modi said India’s ‘soft power’ is the seventh strength of Saptadhara, highlighting Yoga, handicrafts, films, animation, gaming, digital content and the broader creative sector as key strengths.
Meanwhile, during the delegation-level talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev measures will be adopted to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries. The two leaders will review cooperation in trade and investment, defence, digital connectivity, energy, education and people-to-people domains and set the agenda for the road ahead.
Bilateral and multilateral cooperation between New Delhi and Tashkent has expanded steadily over the years, highlighted by President Mirziyoyev’s State Visit to India in 2018 and his participation in the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in 2019.
From Tashkent, at the invitation of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Zhaparov, PM Modi will travel to Bishkek to participate in the 26th SCO Summit, marking 25 years of this important organisation.
(With Inputs from ANI)
