PM Modi to Visit Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan; Terrorism, Security on SCO Agenda

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to undertake two important foreign visits. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced this on Thursday. MEA Secretary (West) Siby George stated that the Prime Minister will visit Uzbekistan from August 29 to 30. Subsequently, he will be in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, from August 31 to September 1.

PM Modi to visit Uzbekistan on August 29–30

According to Siby George, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Uzbekistan on August 29 and 30 at the invitation of the President of Uzbekistan. India and Uzbekistan have maintained a comprehensive and meaningful dialogue at both bilateral and multilateral levels for several years. The two nations elevated their ties to the level of a strategic partnership in 2011, and relations have since steadily strengthened across various sectors.

Focus on further strengthening the strategic partnership

The MEA Secretary stated that the Prime Minister's visit would reaffirm the close, multifaceted, and ever-growing strategic partnership between India and Uzbekistan. During the visit, both sides will discuss various issues of mutual interest and explore new avenues to further strengthen bilateral cooperation. The long-standing cultural ties between the two nations are also expected to be a highlight of the visit.

The Prime Minister's visit will also provide an opportunity to strengthen academic exchanges and people-to-people ties between India and Uzbekistan. According to the MEA, these connections play a crucial role in deepening the relationship between the two countries.

India and Uzbekistan share deep historical roots. The two nations announced a strategic partnership in 2011. PM Modi to Arrive in Bishkek on August 31

Following his visit to Uzbekistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, from August 31 to September 1. He will participate in the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit there. MEA Secretary Siby George stated that the primary objective behind the establishment of the SCO was to tackle the "three evils": terrorism, separatism, and extremism. He noted that these challenges persist to this day.

Focus on Security and Cooperation within the SCO

The SCO summit in Bishkek will serve as a crucial platform for discussing regional and international issues. During the Prime Minister's visit, the focus will be on strengthening cooperation among member nations alongside addressing challenges such as terrorism, separatism, and extremism. Consequently, this visit by Prime Minister Modi is considered significant in terms of India's strategic engagement in Central Asia and regional cooperation.