Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Tashkent on Saturday, 29 August for a two-day bilateral visit to Uzbekistan, with locals and officials expressing hope that the trip will inject fresh momentum into the two countries' growing strategic partnership. The visit comes at the invitation of Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and forms the first leg of Modi's two-nation Central Asian tour, which also includes Kyrgyzstan.

Warm Welcome in Tashkent

Uzbek citizens voiced enthusiasm ahead of Modi's arrival. 'Welcome Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. We Uzbek people are very happy to hear the news of your arrival. We wish that the friendly ties between the two countries keep on growing… Jai Hind, Jai Bharat, Jai Uzbekistan,' said one Uzbek woman, reflecting the public mood on the ground in Tashkent.

The reception underscores a broader warmth in people-to-people ties that has grown steadily over the past decade, driven in part by India's cultural and academic footprint in Central Asia.

University Visit and Indology Spotlight

Bayot Rakhmatov, a senior Hindi teacher and Indologist at the University of Oriental Studies in Tashkent, described Modi's scheduled visit to the institution as particularly significant. 'Our University of Oriental Studies, we can say, is very advanced in the field of Indology in Central Asia; we can say it holds the first position. The researchers and teachers at our university have published many books related to India, and in the last 10 years there has been a lot of focus on the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi… Narendra Modi ji coming to our university is a notable thing, and the people he is going to meet will be more motivated to work in this university,' Rakhmatov said.

The university is regarded as a leading centre for South Asian studies in the region, and Modi's presence is expected to energise ongoing academic and cultural exchange programmes between the two nations.

12 Years of Strengthening Bilateral Bonds

Senior journalist and Indologist Akhmadjan Kasimov pointed to a clear upward trajectory in India-Uzbekistan relations since Modi assumed office. 'Over the past 12 years, since Prime Minister Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, the friendship between our two countries has become stronger, and year by year, the friendship between our two countries has been growing. In this direction, I think Prime Minister Modi's visit to Uzbekistan will play a very important role in further strengthening cooperation between our two countries,' Kasimov said.

This is the latest in a series of high-level engagements between New Delhi and Tashkent that have progressively elevated the relationship from a basic diplomatic footing to a full strategic partnership.

What Modi Said Before Departure

In his departure statement from New Delhi, Modi outlined the agenda for the Tashkent leg of his tour. 'In recent years, India-Uzbekistan Strategic Partnership has seen significant advancement. I look forward to my discussions with President Mirziyoyev on further deepening our cooperation in trade and investment, digital connectivity, defence, energy, and on advancing our shared visions of Viksit Bharat and Yangi Uzbekistan,' he said.

The reference to both nations' long-term development frameworks — India's Viksit Bharat and Uzbekistan's Yangi Uzbekistan — signals an intent to align bilateral priorities beyond routine diplomacy.

What to Watch Next

Formal bilateral talks with President Mirziyoyev are expected to produce agreements across trade, digital infrastructure, and defence cooperation. Following Tashkent, Modi will travel to Kyrgyzstan, completing a Central Asian outreach that analysts say reflects India's sustained push to deepen its strategic presence in a region where China and Russia have historically dominated.