PM Modi’s Uzbekistan–Kyrgyzstan Visit 2026: 26th SCO Summit and India’s Central Asia Strategy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic from 29 August to 1 September 2026, the Ministry of External Affairs announced on 27 August. The visit will combine an important bilateral engagement with Uzbekistan and participation in the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
The visit is significant for India because Central Asia sits at the intersection of security, energy, critical minerals, connectivity and Eurasian geopolitics. It also provides India with a platform to engage simultaneously with Russia, China, Iran, Pakistan and the Central Asian republics.
For UPSC/State PCS aspirants, the development is particularly important for GS Paper II – International Relations, including SCO, India–Central Asia relations, terrorism, connectivity and India's policy of strategic autonomy.
Why in News?
PM Modi's four-day visit has two major components:
| Date | Programme |
|---|---|
| 29–30 August 2026 | Bilateral visit to Uzbekistan |
| 31 August–1 September 2026 | Visit to Kyrgyz Republic and participation in the 26th SCO Summit |
| Summit venue | Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan |
| SCO Chair for 2025–26 | Kyrgyz Republic |
During the Uzbekistan leg, PM Modi is expected to hold talks with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, covering trade, investment, defence, energy, technology, healthcare, education, critical minerals and people-to-people ties.
The SCO Council of Heads of State meeting is scheduled for 1 September 2026 in Bishkek. Preparations have included work on a Bishkek Declaration marking the SCO's 25th anniversary, thematic statements and other summit documents.
What is the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation?
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a Eurasian intergovernmental organisation established in Shanghai on 15 June 2001.
It initially included China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
India and Pakistan became full members in 2017, Iran joined in 2023, and Belarus became a full member in 2024.
SCO Full Members in 2026
| Member | Region |
| China | East Asia |
| Russia | Eurasia |
| India | South Asia |
| Pakistan | South Asia |
| Kazakhstan | Central Asia |
| Kyrgyzstan | Central Asia |
| Tajikistan | Central Asia |
| Uzbekistan | Central Asia |
| Iran | West Asia |
| Belarus | Eastern Europe |
The SCO therefore currently has 10 full member states.
Important Institutions
SCO Secretariat: Beijing, China
Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS): Tashkent, Uzbekistan
RATS promotes cooperation against the so-called “three evils” — terrorism, separatism and extremism.
Why is the 26th SCO Summit Important?
The 2026 summit is particularly significant because the SCO is celebrating 25 years since its establishment.
Kyrgyzstan's chairmanship has operated under the motto:
“25 Years of the SCO: Together Towards Sustainable Peace, Development and Prosperity.”
The organisation's foreign ministers have already prepared the draft Bishkek Declaration on the 25th Anniversary of the SCO.
Since the summit has not yet taken place, its final decisions should not be assumed in advance. However, several issues are likely to be important based on the SCO's 2026 meetings and India's long-standing priorities.
1. Counter-Terrorism and Regional Security
Security remains one of the most important areas for India within the SCO.
India has repeatedly demanded zero tolerance towards terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, terrorist financing and extremist networks.
This is particularly relevant because the SCO's Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure is based in Tashkent and provides an institutional platform for security cooperation.
For India, the key principle is simple:
terrorism cannot be justified on political, religious or strategic grounds.
Mains Insight
The SCO gives India an unusual platform where it can discuss terrorism directly in a forum that also includes Pakistan, China, Russia and the Central Asian republics.
2. Afghanistan and Regional Stability
Central Asia shares deep security and economic linkages with Afghanistan.
Developments in Afghanistan affect:
- terrorism,
- radicalisation,
- drug trafficking,
- organised crime,
- refugee movement and
- regional connectivity.
A stable Afghanistan is therefore important not only for India but also for Central Asian states.
India's broader position has emphasised that Afghan territory should not be used for terrorism against other countries and that humanitarian interests of the Afghan people must be protected.
3. India's SECURE Vision for the SCO
India's engagement with the SCO has been guided by the SECURE framework articulated by PM Modi.
| Letter | Meaning |
| S | Security |
| E | Economic Cooperation |
| C | Connectivity |
| U | Unity |
| R | Respect for Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity |
| E | Environment Protection |
India highlighted this approach during its own SCO presidency in 2022–23.
The most important part from India's perspective is that connectivity must respect sovereignty and territorial integrity.
This explains India's reservations regarding China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), particularly because the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor passes through territory claimed by India.
4. Connectivity: India's Biggest Central Asian Challenge
India has strong historical links with Central Asia but lacks a direct land route because Pakistan lies between India and the region.
This geographical limitation makes connectivity one of India's biggest strategic challenges.
India therefore supports alternative routes such as:
India → Iran's Chabahar Port → Iran → Central Asia
and the broader International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
Improved connectivity can help India expand:
- trade,
- energy cooperation,
- movement of goods,
- access to Eurasian markets and
- strategic engagement with Central Asia.
Prelims Point
Chabahar Port is located in Iran on the Gulf of Oman.
It provides India with an important route towards Afghanistan and Central Asia without depending on Pakistan.
5. Proposed SCO Development Bank
One issue worth watching at the Bishkek summit is progress on the proposed SCO Development Bank.
The decision to move towards establishing the bank was taken by interested SCO members at the 2025 Tianjin Summit. Consultations continued through 2026, including meetings of finance officials in Bishkek and Shenzhen.
The proposed institution could eventually support:
- infrastructure,
- regional connectivity,
- development projects and
- economic cooperation.
However, its detailed structure, capital arrangements and membership conditions remain under consultation.
Prelims Trap
SCO Development Bank ≠ New Development Bank (NDB).
The NDB is a BRICS institution headquartered in Shanghai, while the SCO Development Bank is a separate proposed institution.
Why Uzbekistan Matters to India
Uzbekistan is one of the most important countries in Central Asia because of its:
- large population,
- strategic location,
- mineral resources,
- growing economy and
- influence within the region.
India and Uzbekistan describe their relationship as a strategic partnership.
According to MEA data, bilateral trade reached approximately $980.4 million in 2024, while Indian investments in Uzbekistan stood at around $451 million. Indian companies are active in pharmaceuticals, healthcare, education and other sectors.
In 2026, both countries agreed to work towards doubling bilateral trade over the next three years.
Areas of India–Uzbekistan Cooperation
Several sectors are likely to receive attention during PM Modi's visit.
| Sector | Importance for India |
| Trade & Investment | Expanding a currently under-utilised economic relationship |
| Critical Minerals | Important for clean energy and advanced manufacturing |
| Pharmaceuticals | India has a strong presence in the Uzbek healthcare market |
| Digital Technology | Potential cooperation in fintech and digital public infrastructure |
| Defence & Security | Counter-terrorism and military cooperation |
| Education | Indian universities have established campuses in Uzbekistan |
| Connectivity | Access to Central Asian and Eurasian markets |
India and Uzbekistan have also discussed co-investment and co-manufacturing in areas such as mining, textiles, healthcare, agriculture and advanced manufacturing.
Why Kyrgyzstan Matters to India
Kyrgyzstan is strategically located in Central Asia and shares borders with China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
India's relationship with Kyrgyzstan includes cooperation in:
defence, healthcare, education, IT, agriculture, hydropower, tourism and capacity building.
There is also an important education link. More than 15,000 Indian students have been pursuing medical education in the Kyrgyz Republic, according to the Indian Embassy in Bishkek.
India has also supported development projects in the country through Lines of Credit and community-development initiatives.
Why Central Asia is Strategically Important for India
Central Asia has become increasingly important in India's foreign policy for five major reasons.
Energy Security
The region contains significant reserves of:
oil, natural gas and uranium.
Kazakhstan, for example, is a major source of uranium and has long been relevant to India's civil nuclear-energy requirements.
Critical Minerals
Central Asia contains deposits of several minerals important for:
renewable energy, electronics, defence and advanced technologies.
This makes the region increasingly relevant as India seeks to diversify critical-mineral supply chains.
Counter-Terrorism
Instability in Afghanistan and extremist networks create common security concerns for India and Central Asian countries.
Connectivity
Central Asia can link India with broader Eurasian markets, including Russia and Europe.
Geopolitical Balance
The region has traditionally seen strong Russian influence and increasingly significant Chinese economic engagement.
India's objective is not to displace either power but to maintain an independent strategic presence in the region.
India, China and Russia Inside the SCO
One reason the SCO is unusual is that it brings together countries with very different interests.
India participates alongside:
China + Russia + Pakistan + Iran + Central Asian states.
India simultaneously maintains close partnerships with countries outside the SCO, including the United States, Japan and European countries.
This demonstrates India's policy of strategic autonomy and multi-alignment.
Mains Insight
India's SCO membership should not be viewed as evidence that India belongs to an anti-Western bloc.
India participates in:
SCO and BRICS
while also participating in
Quad and close partnerships with Western countries.
This reflects India's preference for issue-based partnerships rather than rigid alliances.
Challenges for India Within the SCO
India's participation also faces significant difficulties.
| Challenge | Explanation |
| Pakistan-sponsored terrorism concerns | Limits regional security cooperation |
| India–China tensions | Border and strategic differences remain |
| BRI disagreement | India objects to projects violating its sovereignty |
| Weak physical connectivity | India has no direct land access to Central Asia |
| China's economic dominance | Beijing has much larger trade and investment links with the region |
| Different member priorities | SCO members often take different positions on geopolitical issues |
Therefore, India's strategy is to remain actively involved while protecting its own strategic interests.
Prelims Quick Revision
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
| Fact | Answer |
| Established | 2001 |
| Place of establishment | Shanghai, China |
| Full members in 2026 | 10 |
| India became full member | 2017 |
| Iran became full member | 2023 |
| Belarus became full member | 2024 |
| SCO Secretariat | Beijing |
| RATS Headquarters | Tashkent |
| 26th SCO Summit | Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan |
| Heads of State meeting | 1 September 2026 |
| 2025–26 Chair | Kyrgyz Republic |
Remember
RATS → SCO → Tashkent
NDB → BRICS → Shanghai
Do not confuse the two.
UPSC/State PCS Mains Relevance
GS Paper II
The topic directly relates to:
India and its neighbourhood, bilateral and regional groupings involving India, India's relations with Central Asia, international institutions, terrorism, strategic autonomy and changing global geopolitics.
GS Paper III
It has secondary relevance for:
energy security, critical minerals, connectivity and economic corridors.
Possible UPSC Mains Question
“Central Asia is strategically important for India's security, connectivity and energy interests, yet geographical constraints continue to limit India's engagement with the region. Examine.”
Answer Framework
Begin with Central Asia's strategic location in Eurasia. Explain its significance for energy, critical minerals, Afghanistan, terrorism, connectivity and geopolitical balance. Then discuss India's constraints — particularly lack of direct land access, China–Pakistan factors and competition with larger regional powers. Conclude with greater use of Chabahar, INSTC, India–Central Asia Dialogue, SCO and bilateral partnerships.
Conclusion
Prime Minister Modi's 2026 visit to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan comes at an important moment for India's engagement with Eurasia.
The bilateral visit to Uzbekistan can strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, critical minerals, technology and healthcare, while the SCO Summit provides India with a platform to advance its positions on terrorism, sovereignty, connectivity and regional stability.
For India, Central Asia is not merely a distant geographical region. It forms an important part of India's extended neighbourhood and links the country's interests in South Asia, Afghanistan, Iran, Russia and the wider Eurasian continent.
India's challenge is therefore to convert historical goodwill into stronger economic connectivity, practical development partnerships and sustained strategic engagement.
Reliable Sources
Government of India – India–Uzbekistan Economic Cooperation
PIB India–Uzbekistan Intergovernmental Commission
Ministry of External Affairs – India–Uzbekistan Bilateral Relations
MEA India–Uzbekistan Background Brief
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation – Proposed SCO Development Bank
Official SCO Development Bank Consultation
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