Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed on Saturday for a two-nation tour of Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic, saying he looks forward to advancing India's vision for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), anchored in security, connectivity and opportunity.
In his departure statement, Modi said the visit, which runs from August 29 to September 1, will advance the shared pursuit of peace, stability and prosperity, values he said lie at the heart of India's engagement with the world.
Also read: PM Modi to begin 2-nation Central Asia visit to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan
Noting that India has been an active and constructive member of the SCO since 2017, Modi said he hoped to work with fellow member states for a region free from the "scourge of terrorism, separatism and extremism," which he said continue to threaten peace and stability in the neighbourhood and beyond.
Tashkent leg
At the invitation of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Modi will undertake a State Visit to Tashkent on August 29-30. He said the India-Uzbekistan Strategic Partnership has seen significant advancement in recent years, and that he looks forward to discussions with Mirziyoyev on deepening cooperation in trade and investment, digital connectivity, defence and energy, as well as advancing the shared visions of "Viksit Bharat" and "Yangi Uzbekistan."
The Prime Minister will also visit the Shastri Memorial and the Mahatma Gandhi Centre at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, in what he described as a tribute to the close cultural and people-to-people ties between the two countries.
Bishkek leg
From Tashkent, Modi will travel to Bishkek at the invitation of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov to attend the 26th SCO Summit, which marks 25 years of the organisation. He said he also looks forward to meeting Zhaparov and other SCO leaders, and to attending the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games, a celebration, he said, of Central Asia's rich living heritage, which India holds in deep respect.
Also read: PM Modi to visit Uzbekistan from August 29-30, attend SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan from August 31
Officials said Modi will address the SCO summit, where he is expected to highlight India's priorities of security, connectivity and opportunity, and will hold bilateral meetings with SCO leaders on the sidelines.
Modi said he is confident the visit will strengthen India's strategic partnerships in Central Asia and deepen the civilisational connect with the region.
(With PTI inputs)
