PM Modi joins Yoga Federation session in Tashkent on Uzbekistan visit
Synopsis
PM Modi's Tashkent visit blended diplomacy with soft power — from a Yoga Federation session and a wreath at the Yangi Uzbekistan Monument to rakhi-tying by the Indian diaspora and a Tabla-Doira fusion performance. The visit signals India's deepening cultural and strategic engagement with Central Asia.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi participated in a yoga session organised by the Yoga Federation of Uzbekistan in Tashkent on 30 August .
Modi arrived in Uzbekistan on Saturday for a two-day State Visit, accompanied by engagements with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev .
The two leaders laid a wreath at the Yangi Uzbekistan Monument and toured Yangi Uzbekistan Park .
Modi described the Indian diaspora in Tashkent as a 'living bridge' between India and Uzbekistan.
Indian-Uzbek fusion cultural performances, including a Tabla , Doira , and Chang blend, were highlighted during the welcome ceremony.
Several women from the Indian community tied a rakhi on Modi's wrist during the diaspora meet.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in a yoga session organised by the Yoga Federation of Uzbekistan in Tashkent on Sunday, 30 August, interacting with participants during the event. The session was part of his broader two-day State Visit to the Central Asian nation, during which cultural and diplomatic engagements have featured prominently.
Arrival and Cultural Outreach
Modi arrived in Uzbekistan on Saturday, beginning his visit with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Yangi Uzbekistan Monument, accompanied by Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The two leaders also examined artwork representing Uzbek culture and history at Yangi Uzbekistan Park. 'The Yangi Uzbekistan Monument reflects the aspirations and progress of the Uzbek people. Glad to begin my visit by coming here,' Modi said in a post on X.
Indian Diaspora: A Living Bridge
Modi was welcomed by a large gathering of the Indian community in Tashkent, with several women tying a rakhi on his wrist during the meet. He described the Indian diaspora as a 'living bridge' between the two countries. 'Overwhelmed by the warmth and affection of the Indian community in Tashkent. Our diaspora is a living bridge between India and Uzbekistan, strengthening the bonds of friendship between our nations,' he said on X.
Cultural Fusion on Display
Indian-Uzbek fusion cultural performances marked the welcome ceremony, drawing appreciation from the Prime Minister. Modi highlighted the blending of the Indian Tabla with the Uzbek Doira and Chang as a reflection of the deep cultural ties between the two nations. 'A captivating fusion of Indian and Uzbek musical traditions! The Tabla blends beautifully with the Doira and Chang, showcasing the deep cultural connect between India and Uzbekistan,' he posted on X, sharing a glimpse of the performance.
Significance of the Visit
The visit underscores India's sustained diplomatic engagement with Central Asia, a region where New Delhi has been deepening ties through connectivity, trade, and people-to-people links. Modi's participation in a Yoga Federation-organised session signals the growing soft-power footprint of India in Uzbekistan, where yoga has gained a dedicated institutional presence. This is part of a broader pattern of Indian leaders using international yoga events to reinforce cultural diplomacy.
Point of View
Diaspora outreach, and cultural fusion rolled into a single state visit. What mainstream coverage tends to underplay is the strategic context: Central Asia is increasingly contested ground between Russia, China, and an India seeking overland connectivity corridors. Every cultural handshake in Tashkent is also a geopolitical signal. The Yoga Federation's institutional presence in Uzbekistan is not incidental — it is the product of years of deliberate cultural investment that precedes and outlasts any single visit.
NationPress
30 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did PM Modi do during his Tashkent visit?
PM Modi participated in a yoga session organised by the Yoga Federation of Uzbekistan, laid a wreath at the Yangi Uzbekistan Monument alongside President Mirziyoyev, met the Indian diaspora community, and attended Indian-Uzbek fusion cultural performances during his two-day State Visit to Uzbekistan beginning 30 August.
Why is PM Modi visiting Uzbekistan?
PM Modi is on a two-day State Visit to Uzbekistan to strengthen bilateral ties with the Central Asian nation. The visit includes diplomatic meetings with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and a range of cultural and people-to-people engagement events.
What is the Yangi Uzbekistan Monument?
The Yangi Uzbekistan Monument is a landmark in Tashkent that, according to PM Modi, 'reflects the aspirations and progress of the Uzbek people.' Modi and President Mirziyoyev jointly laid a wreath there at the start of the visit.
How did the Indian diaspora receive PM Modi in Tashkent?
A large gathering of the Indian community in Tashkent welcomed PM Modi, with several women tying a rakhi on his wrist. Modi described the diaspora as a 'living bridge between India and Uzbekistan, strengthening the bonds of friendship between our nations.'
What cultural performances were showcased during the visit?
Indian-Uzbek fusion musical performances were presented during the welcome ceremony, featuring a blend of the Indian Tabla with the Uzbek Doira and Chang instruments. PM Modi praised the performances as a reflection of the deep cultural connect between the two nations.
