PM begins four-day Central Asian Tour; Modi receives rousing welcome in Tashkent

TASHKENT: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has begun his four-day tour of Central Asia. Prime Minister Modi arrived in Tashkent on Saturday, the capital of Uzbekistan, where he was warmly received at the airport by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The Prime Minister’s Central Asian tour is scheduled from August 29 to September 1.

This is Modi’s fourth visit to Uzbekistan. His delegation-level talks with President Mirziyoyev are scheduled to take place today. Discussions will focus on trade, investment, digital connectivity, defence and energy, among other issues. After his official visit to Uzbekistan, Modi will travel to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin will also participate in the SCO summit, which will be held tomorrow and the day after. Modi’s meetings with world leaders are expected to play a crucial role in strengthening diplomatic relations. During his meeting with Xi Jinping, efforts to maintain stability and peace along the India-China border are expected to be discussed. Increasing cooperation in trade, economic, scientific and technological sectors will be a key agenda item in Modi’s talks with Putin.

Meantime, Modi received a warm welcome in Uzbekistan, which maintains close ties with China. His meeting with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev is expected to include discussions on expanding bilateral trade relations. Modi will travel to Kyrgyzstan tomorrow.

Foreign Minister S Jaishankar had earlier met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, while National Security Adviser Ajit Doval visited Beijing and held meetings with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, Foreign Minister Wang Yi and others.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is also scheduled to attend the summit. Given the special circumstances following Operation Sindoor, whether Modi and Sharif will hold a meeting is being closely watched. The next SCO summit is scheduled to be held in Pakistan. India has maintained that it will decide at an appropriate time whether Modi will attend.

Putin and Xi Jinping may also attend the BRICS summit scheduled to be held in New Delhi on September 12 and 13.