India and Uzbekistan on Sunday (August 20, 2026) agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade and investment, digital connectivity, defence and energy as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held delegation-level talks with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent.
Modi is on a two-day state visit to Uzbekistan from August 29 to 30 at the invitation of Mr. Mr. Mirziyoyev. This is his fourth visit to the Central Asian country. Mr. Modi received a ceremonial welcome as he arrived to hold delegation-level talks with Mr. Mirziyoyev, with the two leaders discussing ways to further deepen the India-Uzbekistan strategic partnership and advance their shared developmental visions of ‘Viksit Bharat’ and ‘Yangi Uzbekistan’.
Modi arrived in Tashkent on Saturday (August 29, 2026) and received a warm welcome from Mr. The Prime Minister is scheduled to travel to Kyrgyzstan from Tashkent to participate in the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit on August 31-September 1 at the invitation of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov.
The talks covered a range of areas, including trade and investment, digital connectivity, defence and energy, according to the Indian side. PM Modi had earlier said the India-Uzbekistan strategic partnership had witnessed significant advancement in recent years and expressed his desire to further deepen cooperation in key sectors. It is bringing people and cultures together and strengthening people-to-people ties between India and Uzbekistan,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a post on X. Modi said Uzbekistan had been a “proud participant” in the first-ever World Yogasana Championship held in Ahmedabad earlier this year and some of the medal winners were present at the session. He also interacted with members of the Indian community at a hotel in Tashkent, where he witnessed Kathak and Andijan Polka performances by the diaspora and a dance by Uzbek children to the Indian song ” Ude Jab Jab Zulfe Teri “. Modi will address the summit and highlight India’s priorities of “Security, Connectivity and Opportunity”, besides holding bilateral meetings with SCO leaders on the sidelines.
He also witnessed a yoga session hosted by the Yoga Federation of Uzbekistan. “Yoga has immense appeal in Uzbekistan. After attending the session, Mr. Mr. Mirziyoyev at the airport. After his arrival, the Prime Minister visited Yangi Uzbekistan Park and laid a wreath at the Independence Monument along with the Uzbek President. Mr. Modi also watched a fusion performance of tabla with traditional Uzbek instruments Doira and Chang. The summit will mark the 25th anniversary of the SCO. He will also attend the opening ceremony of the sixth World Nomad Games.
