MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh joins yoga session in Dushanbe ahead of IDY 2026
Synopsis
On the sidelines of the SCO conference in Dushanbe, MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh joined a yoga session organised by the Indian Embassy ahead of IDY 2026 — blending cultural diplomacy with bilateral talks that included a push for Tajikistan's participation in India's upcoming SCO Civilizational Dialogue in Kolkata.
Key Takeaways
MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh participated in a yoga session in Dushanbe on 13 June 2026 , organised by the Indian Embassy and ICCR's SVCC .
The session was held ahead of International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2026 and attended by the Indian community and yoga enthusiasts in Tajikistan.
Singh was in Dushanbe for a two-day official visit to attend the SCO Heads of Government Council conference hosted by Tajikistan.
He met Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin to review bilateral ties and explore deeper cooperation.
Singh invited Tajikistan to participate at a high level in the 1st SCO Civilizational Dialogue to be hosted by India in Kolkata next month.
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh participated in a yoga session in Dushanbe on 13 June, organised by the Indian Embassy in Tajikistan and the ICCR's Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), ahead of International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2026. The event brought together members of the Indian community, Friends of India, and yoga enthusiasts based in Tajikistan.
What Singh Said
Sharing his participation on X, Singh underscored yoga's broader significance. 'Highlighted yoga's role in promoting holistic health, mental well-being and harmony with nature, reflecting the timeless values that continue to inspire millions across the world,' he wrote.
Diplomatic Context: The SCO Visit
Singh arrived in Dushanbe on Thursday for a two-day official visit to attend the SCO Conference on 'Central Asia – The Core of SCO: A Space of Peace and Joint Development', hosted by Tajikistan as the current Chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of Government Council. The yoga session was held on the sidelines of this diplomatic engagement, reflecting India's practice of weaving cultural diplomacy into bilateral visits.
India–Tajikistan Bilateral Talks
On Friday, Singh met Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, in Dushanbe. The two sides reviewed the full spectrum of India–Tajikistan bilateral relations and discussed ways to deepen cooperation across areas of mutual interest. Singh reaffirmed the 'longstanding friendship and strategic partnership between India and Tajikistan,' according to his post on X.
India's SCO Priorities and Kolkata Dialogue
During the SCO conference, Singh highlighted India's priorities within the grouping and reaffirmed the country's commitment to its Central Asia partnership. Notably, he requested high-level participation from Tajikistan in the 1st SCO Civilizational Dialogue, which India is set to host in Kolkata next month. This comes amid India's broader effort to deepen its footprint in Central Asia through multilateral frameworks and people-to-people ties.
Point of View
Deployed on the margins of a hard-nosed multilateral forum. India has consistently used IDY events abroad to extend its diplomatic reach in regions where strategic competition is intensifying. The SCO visit itself carries weight: with Tajikistan holding the Chair, New Delhi's push for high-level participation in the Kolkata Civilizational Dialogue signals that India wants to shape the SCO's cultural agenda, not merely attend it. Whether that ambition translates into substantive Central Asia engagement — beyond ceremonial bilaterals — remains the real test.
NationPress
30 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh visit Dushanbe in June 2026?
Singh visited Dushanbe for a two-day official trip to attend the SCO Conference on 'Central Asia – The Core of SCO: A Space of Peace and Joint Development', hosted by Tajikistan as the current SCO Heads of Government Council Chair. On the sidelines, he also participated in a yoga session and held bilateral talks with Tajikistan's Foreign Minister.
What is the International Day of Yoga 2026?
International Day of Yoga is observed annually on 21 June, following a United Nations resolution initiated at India's proposal in 2014. IDY 2026 marks the 11th edition of the global observance, with Indian missions worldwide organising events in the lead-up to the day.
What was discussed in the India–Tajikistan bilateral meeting?
Singh met Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin and reviewed the full spectrum of India–Tajikistan bilateral relations. The two sides discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest, and Singh reaffirmed the strategic partnership between the two countries.
What is the 1st SCO Civilizational Dialogue and where will it be held?
The 1st SCO Civilizational Dialogue is an initiative being hosted by India, scheduled to take place in Kolkata next month. Singh requested high-level participation from Tajikistan at the event, which is aimed at deepening cultural and civilisational engagement among SCO member states.
Which organisations co-hosted the yoga event in Dushanbe?
The yoga session was jointly organised by the Embassy of India in Dushanbe and the ICCR's Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) in Dushanbe, and was attended by members of the Indian community, Friends of India, and local yoga enthusiasts.
