‘Looking To Advance India’s Vision For Terror-Free Region’: PM Modi Ahead Of SCO Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for a two-nation visit to Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic, saying he would work with fellow members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) towards a region free from terrorism, separatism and extremism.

PM Modi will first visit Tashkent on August 29-30 at the invitation of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, before travelling to Bishkek to attend the 26th SCO Summit.

In his departure statement, PM Modi said he was looking forward to advancing India’s vision for the SCO, anchored in “Security, Connectivity and Opportunity” and strengthening the country’s strategic partnerships in Central Asia.

During his state visit to Uzbekistan, PM Modi is expected to hold talks with President Mirziyoyev on expanding

cooperation in trade and investment, digital connectivity, defence and energy.

“India-Uzbekistan Strategic Partnership has seen significant advancement in recent years,” PM Modi said. He added that he would discuss advancing the shared visions of “Viksit Bharat” and “Yangi Uzbekistan”.

PM Modi will also visit the Shastri Memorial and the Mahatma Gandhi Centre at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, highlighting the cultural and people-to-people ties between the two countries.

PM Modi will travel from Tashkent to Bishkek to participate in the 26th SCO Summit, which marks 25 years of the organisation. Ahead of the summit, PM Modi said India would push for greater cooperation on security, connectivity and economic opportunities across the region.

“India has been an active and constructive member of the SCO since 2017. I look forward to advancing India’s vision for the region, anchored in Security, Connectivity and Opportunity,” he said.

He also called for cooperation among SCO members to tackle terrorism, separatism and extremism, which he said continue to threaten peace and stability in the region and beyond.

In Bishkek, PM Modi will meet Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov and other SCO leaders on the sidelines of the summit. He will address the SCO summit and outline India’s priorities for the grouping, officials said. PM Modi will also attend the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games, which celebrates the cultural heritage of Central Asia.

The Prime Minister said he was confident that the visit would strengthen India’s strategic partnerships in Central Asia and deepen the country’s civilisational and cultural ties with the region.

The visit, he said, would advance India’s shared pursuit of peace, stability and prosperity.