PM Modi's Uzbekistan visit and Central Asia outreach

Still running. 5 entries so far, over 6 days from 30 August 2026.

01
30 August

PM Modi's Uzbekistan visit and Central Asia outreach

PM visit to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan aims to strengthen strategic partnerships and civilisational ties in Central Asia.
Key bilateral agendas include trade, investment, digital connectivity, defence, and energy.
India has been a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) since 2017.
India's regional vision for the SCO is anchored in security, connectivity, and opportunity, with a focus on combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism.
Trade between India and Central Asia has grown from $500 million in 2010 to over $2 billion in 2025.
China's trade with Central Asia reached $106 billion in 2025, significantly outpacing India's engagement.
India faces a competitive challenge from Tajikistan for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council for the 2028-2029 term.
The India-Central Asia Summit has not been held since 2022, leading to regional perceptions of waning Indian interest.
India seeks to leverage soft power in education, IT, and trade to enhance its regional influence.

02
31 August

India-Uzbekistan strategic partnership and uranium deal

India and Uzbekistan have elevated bilateral ties to a 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership'.
Bilateral trade target set at $5 billion annually by 2030, up from the current volume of over $1 billion.
11 agreements signed covering mining, tourism, critical minerals, defence, and security.
Framework established for long-term uranium supply from Uzbekistan to India for civil nuclear energy.
Joint commission upgraded from secretary level to ministerial level.
Cooperation initiated for UPI integration: NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) and Uzbekistan’s National Interbank Processing Centre JSC to enable UPI apps to scan UZQR.
Focus on critical minerals includes geological exploration, mining, and development of integrated value chains.
Defence cooperation to focus on direct linkages, co-production, and co-development.
Cultural cooperation includes restoration of Buddhist sites at Fayaz Tepa and Kara Tepa.
India pledged $1 million grant for afforestation in the Aral Sea region.
Joint environmental initiative: 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' (India) and 'Yashil Makon' (Uzbekistan) tree-planting.

03
1 September

PM Modi's meetings at SCO Summit in Bishkek

PM Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at the SCO summit in Bishkek to discuss regional stability and maritime security.
India urged for freedom of navigation and the protection of commercial shipping and seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz.
PM Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.
Discussions with Russia focused on energy, innovation, space, fertilizers, and people-to-people linkages.
The conflict in the Black Sea region has impacted maritime trade and the safety of Indian seafarers, prompting India to reiterate the need for dialogue and diplomacy.
India and Russia are approaching the 80th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.
Trade turnover between India and Russia has increased by over 2%, with a 16% growth in tourist exchanges in 2025.
Approximately 40,000 Indian students are currently studying in Russia, a seven-fold increase over the last decade.
India is set to host the 18th BRICS summit in September, with invitations extended to both the Iranian and Russian Presidents.

04
2 September

SCO Summit 2026 in Bishkek

The 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic.
Pakistan assumed the SCO chair for the 2026-27 period.
The Bishkek Declaration emphasized the need for an inclusive government in Afghanistan, incorporating all ethnopolitical groups.
Member states expressed concern over the impact of unilateral deployment of global missile defence systems on international security.
The summit highlighted the impact of the West Asian crisis on energy security, maritime security, and global supply chains, noting the disproportionate effect on the Global South.
Key security priorities identified by member states include combating terrorism, separatism, extremism, transnational organized crime, drug trafficking, and telecom fraud.
The summit addressed the importance of information security, bio-security, and outer space security.
The Indus Waters Treaty was referenced in the context of preventing the weaponization of water resources.

05
4 September

Editorial: SCO Bishkek summit

The SCO Bishkek summit marked 25 years of the Eurasian grouping.
The Bishkek declaration condemned U.S. and Israel attacks on Iran and supported Iran's right to peaceful nuclear technology under the NPT.
The summit addressed economic, energy, and connectivity challenges arising from U.S. tariffs, sanctions on Russia, and the Hormuz Strait blockade.
India emphasized the need to dismantle the ecosystem of terrorist financing, recruitment, radicalisation, and safe havens.
The Bishkek declaration included strong language on 'all forms' of terrorism, including cross-border terrorism.
India aims to revive trade, critical minerals, and tourism cooperation with Central Asian Republics.
Pakistan has assumed the SCO chairmanship for the coming year.
India is preparing to host the BRICS grouping in Delhi in September, involving leaders from Russia, China, and Iran.

Questions from this story

Newest first. A story that ran for 6 days is exactly the kind the mains paper asks about as one question.

Analyze the significance of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as a platform for India to address regional security concerns and economic connectivity in Central Asia. 150 words · 4 September
The evolving geopolitical landscape in Eurasia, characterized by shifting alliances and economic sanctions, presents both challenges and opportunities for India's multilateral diplomacy. Discuss how India can leverage regional groupings like the SCO and BRICS to balance its strategic interests. 250 words · 4 September
Discuss the significance of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as a platform for addressing non-traditional security threats in the Eurasian region. 150 words · 2 September
The stability of Afghanistan remains a critical factor for regional security in Central and South Asia. In light of recent multilateral declarations, analyze the challenges in achieving an inclusive political settlement and the role of regional organizations in facilitating humanitarian and security stability. 250 words · 2 September
Examine the significance of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as a platform for India to address regional maritime security concerns and the protection of commercial shipping lanes. 150 words · 1 September
The 'Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership' between India and Russia remains a cornerstone of India's foreign policy. Discuss the evolving nature of this relationship in the context of contemporary geopolitical conflicts and the necessity of maintaining a multipolar world order. 250 words · 1 September
Analyze the strategic significance of India's engagement with Central Asian nations, specifically in the context of energy security and critical mineral supply chains. 150 words · 31 August
The expansion of digital public infrastructure, such as the integration of UPI in foreign markets, represents a new dimension of India's soft power and economic diplomacy. Discuss its potential impact on regional trade and financial connectivity. 250 words · 31 August
Analyze the strategic significance of Central Asia in India's foreign policy and the challenges in maintaining a robust engagement with the region. 150 words · 30 August
Discuss the role of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in addressing regional security concerns. How can India effectively balance its bilateral interests with its multilateral commitments within the SCO framework? 250 words · 30 August

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