Bishkek: Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm welcome from the Indian diaspora in Bishkek after arriving in Kyrgyzstan for the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. His visit highlights deepening people-to-people ties, growing defence cooperation and shared civilisational links between India and the Central Asian nation.
‘From Bharat to Bishkek’: Indian diaspora gives PM Modi a special welcome
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 30, Sunday arrived in Bishkek, the capital of the Kyrgyz Republic, for the SCO Summit and was warmly received by members of the Indian community. Sharing his experience on X, PM Modi described the reception as a “very special welcome” from the Indian diaspora.
“From Bharat to Bishkek, a very special welcome by the Indian community earlier this evening”, the Prime Minister said. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that PM Modi interacted warmly with members of the Indian community and appreciated their “energy, enthusiasm and valuable contributions” towards strengthening the bonds of friendship between India and Kyrgyzstan.
From Bharat to Bishkek, a very special welcome by the Indian community earlier this evening. pic.twitter.com/lnh5G0whfy
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 30, 2026
PM Modi was received at the airport by Adylbek Kasymaliev, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic. His visit comes at the invitation of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov. The Prime Minister is in Bishkek to participate in the 26th SCO Leadership Summit, which brings together 10 member states, 15 partner countries and two observer countries to discuss regional and global issues and strengthen cooperation.
“Manas & Mahabharata” Shared epics to civilisational dialogue between India & Kyrgyztan
Ahead of the summit, Kyrgyz academics and cultural representatives underlined the deep civilisational affinity between India and Kyrgyzstan. Gulzat Maiachinova, Head of the International Relations and Cooperation Department of the National Academy of “Manas” and a representative of the International Centre for Civilizational Dialogue “Manas and Mahabharata”, said the initiative reflected PM Modi’s vision of civilisational dialogue.
She highlighted parallels between Kyrgyzstan’s Manas and India’s Mahabharata, describing both as central to the cultural identity of their respective civilisations. According to Maiachinova, the two epics embody shared values such as friendship, tolerance, cooperation and strength. She said that reconnecting with their respective cultural heritage could help the two civilisations discover new avenues for cooperation.
Former Kyrgyz Ambassador to India Ibraimov Osmon also described PM Modi’s visit as a “big” and “very remarkable event”, stressing the close relationship between the two countries. Osmon pointed to the contribution of Indian civilisation to global culture and drew parallels between the Mahabharata and Manas. He also highlighted the strong educational linkages, noting that around 10,000 Indian students are currently studying in Kyrgyzstan.
In Bishkek this morning, paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at his statue in the city.
Gandhi Ji’s thoughts will always have an unparalleled impact on our minds. pic.twitter.com/IwX3KU7JrT
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 31, 2026
PM Modi meets members of yoga & cultural communities
PM Modi also met members of Indian and Kyrgyz cultural and yoga communities in Bishkek, with participants describing the interaction as inspirational. Danil Rykov, President of the Yoga Federation of Kyrgyzstan, said his introduction to yoga eventually transformed his life and expressed hope for greater Indian support to promote yoga as a sport in Kyrgyzstan.
Met a group of people who have a close association with India.
This includes prominent diaspora members, those passionate about the environment, Yoga enthusiasts, academics, ITEC alumni, researchers and more.
Happy to see such continuous engagement with India.
One of the… pic.twitter.com/xiwRCoFBE9
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 31, 2026
Jyldyz Kuvatova, founder of the Art of Living Foundation in Kyrgyzstan, said PM Modi’s support for yoga had encouraged practitioners to further promote it for its benefits to society, healthcare and education. PM Modi also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial in Bishkek. The statue was unveiled by him during his 2015 visit to Kyrgyzstan.
During his interactions, the Prime Minister received a copy of Manas: Kyrgyz Veergatha Kavya, further underscoring the cultural dimension of his visit.
Key bilateral meetings on the sidelines of SCO Summit
As per the sources, PM Modi is scheduled to hold several bilateral meetings during his stay in Bishkek, including with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin, among other leaders.
The SCO gathering is expected to provide an important platform for discussions on regional security, economic cooperation and broader international developments.
With his arrival in Bishkek, PM Modi’s Central Asia outreach is now moving from deepening bilateral partnerships to strengthening wider regional cooperation through the SCO, while simultaneously reinforcing the cultural, civilisational and educational connect between India and Kyrgyzstan.
