Modi-Zhaparov meet at SCO Summit 2025 reaffirms India-Kyrgyzstan Strategic Partnership
Synopsis
On the sidelines of the 26th SCO Summit in Bishkek, PM Modi and Kyrgyzstan President Zhaparov reaffirmed the India-Kyrgyzstan Strategic Partnership — a relationship dating to 1992 — pledging deeper economic, cultural, and security cooperation. The meeting signals India's continued push to consolidate ties across Central Asia through multilateral platforms.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi met Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Zhaparov in Bishkek on 31 August on the sidelines of the 26th SCO Summit .
Both leaders reaffirmed the India-Kyrgyzstan Strategic Partnership and agreed to enhance economic, commercial, and people-to-people ties .
Modi congratulated Zhaparov on Kyrgyzstan's Independence Day , which coincided with the SCO Summit opening.
Jaishankar , NSA Ajit Doval , and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri were present at the bilateral meeting.
India and Kyrgyzstan share concerns over terrorism, extremism, and drug trafficking , and have maintained diplomatic ties since 1992 .
Modi's Bishkek visit also includes attendance at the 6th World Nomad Games opening ceremony.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Zhaparov on the sidelines of the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek on Monday, 31 August, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to deepening the India-Kyrgyzstan Strategic Partnership. The meeting covered economic cooperation, people-to-people ties, and shared security concerns, according to a statement from India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Key Developments from the Bilateral Meeting
Modi and Zhaparov reviewed progress in bilateral relations and agreed to further enhance economic and commercial cooperation, citing complementarities between the two economies. The leaders also discussed expanding people-to-people ties through student exchanges and cultural collaborations.
Modi warmly congratulated Zhaparov on Kyrgyzstan's Independence Day, noting that it lent special significance to the SCO Summit opening on the same day. He also acknowledged Zhaparov's role in hosting the summit and thanked him for his hospitality.
India's Engagement Under Kyrgyzstan's SCO Chairmanship
Modi highlighted India's strong participation in SCO meetings held under Kyrgyzstan's Chairmanship, describing it as a reflection of the mutual respect and trust that characterises the two countries' longstanding relationship. He said India's consistent engagement with the SCO process underscored the depth of bilateral ties.
Senior Indian officials accompanying Modi at the meeting included External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
India-Kyrgyzstan Ties: Background and Shared Concerns
India was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Kyrgyzstan in 1992, shortly after the latter gained independence. The two nations have since elevated ties to a Strategic Partnership, with cooperation spanning defence, security, trade, and investment.
Both countries share common concerns over terrorism, extremism, and drug trafficking, according to the MEA. In recent years, bilateral engagement has broadened across multiple sectors, reinforcing a relationship built over three decades.
Modi's Broader Visit to Bishkek
Modi arrived in Kyrgyzstan on Sunday, 30 August, for an official visit that includes attending the 26th SCO Summit and the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games. He received a warm reception from the Indian community in Bishkek, who greeted him with chants of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' and 'Vande Mataram'.
The bilateral meeting with Zhaparov is one of several engagements Modi is holding on the SCO Summit sidelines, as India continues to use multilateral platforms to advance its bilateral diplomatic agenda across Central Asia.
Point of View
But it fits a deliberate pattern: India is using SCO sidelines to systematically reinforce bilateral relationships across Central Asia at a time when the region is contested between Chinese investment and Russian influence. Kyrgyzstan may be a smaller partner, but the emphasis on defence, security, and counter-terrorism cooperation signals that India views it as a strategic node, not merely a ceremonial one. The presence of NSA Ajit Doval alongside Jaishankar at a bilateral this size is notable — it suggests the security dimension of the relationship is being actively worked, not just acknowledged. Whether economic pledges translate into measurable trade growth remains the perennial test India has struggled to pass in Central Asia.
NationPress
31 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did PM Modi meet Kyrgyzstan President Zhaparov in Bishkek?
PM Modi met President Zhaparov on the sidelines of the 26th SCO Summit in Bishkek on 31 August to review bilateral ties and reaffirm the India-Kyrgyzstan Strategic Partnership. The two leaders discussed economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and shared security concerns including terrorism and extremism.
What is the India-Kyrgyzstan Strategic Partnership?
The India-Kyrgyzstan Strategic Partnership is the framework governing bilateral relations between the two countries, covering defence, security, trade, investment, and cultural ties. India was among the first nations to establish diplomatic relations with Kyrgyzstan in 1992 after its independence.
What was agreed at the Modi-Zhaparov bilateral meeting?
Both leaders agreed to further enhance economic and commercial cooperation, leveraging the complementarities between the two economies. They also discussed expanding people-to-people ties through student exchanges and cultural collaborations, according to the MEA statement.
Who accompanied PM Modi at the Kyrgyzstan bilateral meeting?
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and other senior officials accompanied PM Modi at the bilateral meeting with President Zhaparov.
What else is PM Modi doing during his Bishkek visit?
Beyond the SCO Summit and bilateral meetings, PM Modi is attending the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan. He arrived in Bishkek on Sunday, 30 August, and was welcomed by the Indian community with chants of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' and 'Vande Mataram'.
