PM Modi pays homage to Lal Bahadur Shastri at Tashkent memorial
Synopsis
On a state visit to Uzbekistan, PM Modi honoured Lal Bahadur Shastri at the Tashkent memorial where the former PM died in 1966 — a historically charged moment. The visit also yielded high-level bilateral talks, Uzbekistan's highest state honour for Modi, and a joint green-pledge ceremony, ahead of the SCO Summit in Kyrgyzstan.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi paid tribute to Lal Bahadur Shastri at the Shastri Memorial, Tashkent on 30 August .
Modi held delegation-level talks with Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the Kuksaroy Residence , covering trade, investment, and cultural cooperation.
Modi was conferred the 'Oliy Darajali Do'stlik' Order — Uzbekistan's highest state honour.
The two leaders jointly planted a tree under India's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' and Uzbekistan's 'Yashil Makon' initiatives.
Modi also witnessed a yoga session by 52 Uzbek practitioners during the visit.
After Tashkent, Modi travels to Kyrgyzstan for the 26th SCO Summit .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, 30 August paid tribute to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri at the Shastri Memorial in Tashkent, honouring the statesman who led India from 9 June 1964 to 11 January 1966 and gave the nation its enduring slogan 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan'. The homage came during Modi's two-day state visit to Uzbekistan.
Modi's Tribute at the Shastri Memorial
In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi wrote: 'Paid homage to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri Ji in Tashkent. We remember a towering statesman whose unwavering commitment to the nation continues to inspire generations.' Shastri died in Tashkent on 11 January 1966, a day after signing the Tashkent Declaration that ended the 1965 India-Pakistan war, making the memorial a site of deep historical significance for India.
High-Level Talks with President Mirziyoyev
Earlier in the day, Modi held delegation-level talks with Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the Kuksaroy Residence (Presidential Palace) in Tashkent. The two leaders discussed expanding bilateral cooperation across trade, investment, industry, interregional ties, and cultural exchanges, and agreed to elevate the Uzbekistan-India relationship to a new level, according to the Press Service of the Uzbekistan President.
The Indian delegation included External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (West) Sibi George, among other senior officials.
Uzbekistan's Highest Honour for Modi
President Mirziyoyev conferred upon Prime Minister Modi the 'Oliy Darajali Do'stlik' Order — Uzbekistan's highest state honour — in recognition of his contributions to strengthening friendship between the two nations. This is the latest in a series of foreign state honours Modi has received in recent years, reflecting India's deepening diplomatic outreach in Central Asia.
Green Pledge and Cultural Moments
The two leaders jointly planted a tree in the Presidential Palace garden, combining India's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative with Uzbekistan's 'Yashil Makon' greening programme. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the gesture as reflecting 'the shared commitment of India and Uzbekistan towards nurturing a greener and more sustainable future.'
Modi also witnessed a special yoga demonstration featuring 52 practitioners from Uzbekistan, underscoring India's soft-power diplomacy in the region.
What Comes Next
After concluding his engagements in Tashkent, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to travel to Kyrgyzstan to attend the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. The Central Asian leg of the visit signals India's continued effort to deepen strategic and economic ties beyond its immediate neighbourhood.
Point of View
And visiting the site carries a quiet political resonance at home. The bilateral deliverables — trade expansion, a joint green pledge, a state honour — follow a familiar Central Asia playbook, but the SCO Summit ahead is the real test: India's posture on China and Pakistan within that forum will matter far more than the optics of Tashkent. The yoga demonstration and tree-planting are soft-power signals aimed at consolidating India's cultural footprint in a region where China's Belt and Road presence is substantial.
NationPress
30 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did PM Modi visit the Shastri Memorial in Tashkent?
PM Modi paid homage to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri at the Shastri Memorial in Tashkent on 30 August as part of his two-day state visit to Uzbekistan. Shastri died in Tashkent on 11 January 1966, a day after signing the Tashkent Declaration that ended the 1965 India-Pakistan war, making the memorial historically significant for India.
What is the 'Oliy Darajali Do'stlik' Order awarded to PM Modi?
It is Uzbekistan's highest state honour, conferred by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on PM Modi during his state visit on 30 August. The award recognises Modi's contributions to strengthening friendship between India and Uzbekistan.
What did India and Uzbekistan agree on during the bilateral talks?
The two sides agreed to expand cooperation in trade, investment, industry, interregional ties, and cultural exchanges, and committed to taking the bilateral relationship to a new level. Senior officials including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri were part of the Indian delegation.
What is PM Modi's next stop after Tashkent?
After concluding his engagements in Tashkent, PM Modi is scheduled to travel to Kyrgyzstan to attend the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.
Who was Lal Bahadur Shastri and why is he remembered?
Lal Bahadur Shastri served as India's Prime Minister from 9 June 1964 to 11 January 1966. He is remembered for coining the national slogan 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' and for leading India during the 1965 war with Pakistan, after which he signed the Tashkent Declaration.
