New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin his visit to Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic on August 29, with talks on trade, investment, defence and other areas of cooperation in Tashkent, followed by the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek.
A scheduled meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the SCO summit will be one of the key engagements during the visit. The two leaders are expected to review the broader India Russia relationship.
Modi will visit Uzbekistan on August 29 and 30 at the invitation of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. He will then travel to Bishkek for the 26th SCO Summit from August 31 to September 1.
This will be Modi's fourth visit to Uzbekistan and his second bilateral visit to the country. During his talks with Mirziyoyev, the two leaders are expected to discuss ways to strengthen the strategic partnership between India and Uzbekistan.
The discussions are expected to cover trade and investment, defence, digital connectivity, energy, education and people to people relations. Critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and information technology are also areas where the two countries are seeking to expand cooperation.
India and Uzbekistan have been working to increase their economic ties. Bilateral trade reached USD 1.3 billion in 2025, according to figures presented at an India Uzbekistan intergovernmental commission meeting in June. Trade increased by more than 30 percent compared with the previous year.
The two countries are also working towards increasing bilateral trade to USD 2 billion. Recent discussions have focused on improving market access, simplifying procedures and reducing administrative barriers.
Pharmaceuticals are among the important areas of economic cooperation. Other sectors being explored include mining, energy, digital infrastructure, machinery, agriculture and healthcare.
Indian companies have also established a presence in Uzbekistan in sectors including pharmaceuticals and education.
People to people relations are another important part of the partnership. More than 16,000 Indian students are studying in Uzbekistan, while four Indian university campuses are operating in the country.
During his stay in Tashkent, Modi is also scheduled to visit the Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial and the Mahatma Gandhi Centre at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies.
After completing the Uzbekistan visit, Modi will travel to Bishkek to attend the 26th SCO Summit from August 31 to September 1.
The summit comes as the SCO marks 25 years since its establishment. India became a full member of the organisation in 2017 after holding observer status since 2005. The grouping now has 10 member states.
At the summit, India is expected to highlight its priorities of security, connectivity and opportunity. The meeting will bring together leaders from several major countries to discuss regional and international issues and cooperation.
The confirmed meeting between Modi and Putin is expected to provide an opportunity for the two leaders to review bilateral relations. The meeting comes shortly after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Putin in Moscow and discussed areas of India Russia cooperation.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is also scheduled to attend the SCO summit in Bishkek. However, a separate bilateral meeting between Modi and Xi has not been officially confirmed.
The presence of the leaders of India, Russia and China at the summit gives the Bishkek meeting wider diplomatic significance. India is seeking to strengthen its engagement with Central Asia while maintaining important relationships with Russia and China.
During his time in Kyrgyzstan, Modi is also scheduled to attend the opening ceremony of the sixth World Nomad Games in Bishkek on August 31.
Modi's visit over four days combines bilateral diplomacy, economic engagement and regional cooperation. While the Uzbekistan leg will focus on strengthening a growing strategic partnership, the Bishkek leg will place India in wider discussions on security, connectivity and cooperation across the Eurasian region.