Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed Tashkent for the Kyrgyz Republic on Sunday, 30 August, concluding a wide-ranging state visit to Uzbekistan that elevated bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He was seen off at the airport by Uzbekistan's Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov.

What the MEA Said

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed the departure in a post on X, stating that Modi's Uzbekistan visit 'reaffirmed the deep and enduring bonds between our two countries.' In Kyrgyzstan, Modi is scheduled to attend the 26th SCO Leadership Summit and the Opening Ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games.

Key Outcomes from Uzbekistan

Modi held wide-ranging discussions with Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the Kuksaroy Presidential Palace in Tashkent, covering trade and investment, critical minerals, defence and security, digital public infrastructure, UPI, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, education, tourism, space, and people-to-people ties. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) described the meeting as 'fruitful.'

Both sides set an ambitious bilateral trade target of $5 billion by 2030 and agreed to organise a business summit to expand economic ties. They also decided to raise the existing Inter-Governmental Commission to the ministerial level and establish a Foreign Ministers-led mechanism to advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Uranium and Critical Minerals

Modi welcomed progress toward a long-term arrangement for the supply of uranium from Uzbekistan to India and underlined the importance of strengthening cooperation in critical minerals. This focus is significant as both nations seek to build resilient supply chains for resources crucial to clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and strategic technologies.

People-to-People and Cultural Ties

Modi appreciated the growing popularity of Yoga in Uzbekistan and attended a Yoga session organised by the Yoga Federation of Uzbekistan. Marking the 60th anniversary of the passing of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, Modi announced the Lal Bahadur Shastri Scholarship for Hindi language for Uzbek students. Both leaders also acknowledged long-standing civilisational and people-to-people connections between the two countries.

What Comes Next

Modi's arrival in Kyrgyzstan marks the next leg of a significant Central Asian diplomatic push, with the SCO Leadership Summit expected to draw leaders from across the region. India's engagement with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation continues to be a key pillar of its extended neighbourhood policy.