Uzbekistan's highest honour 'Oliy Darajali Do'stlik' conferred on PM Modi in Tashkent
Synopsis
PM Modi received Uzbekistan's top state honour in Tashkent — his 30th-plus international decoration — during a two-day visit that also included formal bilateral talks, a ceremonial welcome, and a 52-person yoga showcase. The visit signals India's deepening strategic push into Central Asia.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi was conferred the 'Oliy Darajali Do'stlik' Order — Uzbekistan's highest honour — by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent on 30 August 2026 .
Modi has now received more than 30 prestigious international honours , reportedly making him the most internationally decorated Indian leader in history.
Delegation-level talks were held with President Mirziyoyev; the Indian side included EAM S.
Jaishankar , NSA Ajit Doval , and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri .
A yoga session featuring 52 Uzbek practitioners — including 6 who competed at the First World Yogasana Championship 2026 in Ahmedabad — was held on the sidelines.
Modi arrived in Uzbekistan on 29 August for a two-day state visit , his latest engagement in India's Central Asia outreach.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Uzbekistan's highest state honour, the 'Oliy Darajali Do'stlik' Order, from President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent on Sunday, 30 August, in recognition of his sustained contributions to deepening bilateral ties between India and Uzbekistan. The decoration marks yet another addition to Modi's growing roster of top-tier international honours.
A Record of Global Recognition
Prime Minister Modi has now received more than 30 prestigious international honours — spanning state decorations, scholastic awards, and environmental accolades — making him, according to reports, the most internationally decorated Indian leader in history. In July, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto had conferred the 'Bintang Adipurna of the Republic of Indonesia' upon him, the country's highest honour. The Uzbek decoration follows that recognition within weeks, underscoring a pattern of diplomatic goodwill extended to India's leadership across Asia.
Delegation-Level Talks in Tashkent
Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Modi held formal delegation-level talks with President Mirziyoyev. The Indian delegation included External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Sibi George, Secretary (West) at the Ministry of External Affairs, among other senior officials. Prior to the talks, Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome, with President Mirziyoyev personally receiving him.
Yoga Session Adds Cultural Dimension
On the sidelines of the state visit, Prime Minister Modi witnessed a special yoga session in Tashkent featuring 52 practitioners from Uzbekistan, including six members of the Yoga Federation of Uzbekistan who had represented their country at the First World Yogasana Championship 2026, held in Ahmedabad in June 2026. Modi shared glimpses of the session on his X account, writing: 'Namaste, you all have showcased excellent Yoga performance today. People of all ages are present here. I express my gratitude to my friend, the President, for connecting Uzbekistan with Yoga. Many congratulations.' In a separate post, he added: 'Uzbekistan loves Yoga!' The session highlighted the growing cultural footprint of yoga in Central Asia.
Two-Day State Visit
Prime Minister Modi arrived in Uzbekistan on Saturday, 29 August, for a two-day state visit — his engagement with the Central Asian nation reflecting India's broader strategic interest in deepening ties with the region. He thanked President Mirziyoyev for the warm reception at Tashkent airport upon arrival. The visit is expected to advance bilateral cooperation across trade, connectivity, and cultural exchange, with Uzbekistan emerging as a key partner in India's Central Asia outreach.
Point of View
But as a signal of Uzbekistan's intent to anchor its foreign policy closer to India amid shifting Central Asian alignments. With over 30 international honours, the optics of Modi's global stature are well-managed — but the harder metric is whether these ceremonial gestures translate into durable trade, connectivity, and security frameworks with Central Asian partners. India's engagement with the region has historically lagged behind China's infrastructure footprint. The Tashkent visit's real test will be in the deliverables that follow the photo opportunity.
NationPress
30 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'Oliy Darajali Do'stlik' Order awarded to PM Modi?
The 'Oliy Darajali Do'stlik' Order is Uzbekistan's highest state honour, conferred by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Tashkent on 30 August 2026. It was awarded in recognition of Modi's contributions to strengthening India-Uzbekistan bilateral ties.
How many international honours has PM Modi received?
Prime Minister Modi has received more than 30 prestigious international honours, according to reports, spanning state decorations, scholastic awards, and environmental accolades from nations and organisations across the globe. This reportedly makes him the most internationally decorated Indian leader in history.
What was discussed during PM Modi's bilateral talks with President Mirziyoyev?
PM Modi held delegation-level talks with President Mirziyoyev in Tashkent on 30 August 2026. The Indian delegation included External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri; specific outcomes of the talks were not detailed in available reports.
What was the significance of the yoga session during PM Modi's Uzbekistan visit?
PM Modi witnessed a yoga session featuring 52 Uzbek practitioners, including six members of the Yoga Federation of Uzbekistan who competed at the First World Yogasana Championship 2026 in Ahmedabad. The session highlighted yoga's growing cultural reach in Central Asia and added a people-to-people dimension to the state visit.
Which other country recently honoured PM Modi before the Uzbekistan visit?
In July 2026, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto conferred the 'Bintang Adipurna of the Republic of Indonesia' — Indonesia's highest honour — upon PM Modi, just weeks before the Uzbek decoration was awarded.
