New Delhi : Given India’s growing strategic ties with Central Asian nations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan (Bishkek) holds special significance.

PM Modi will participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek and meet with various global leaders.

India is preparing to enhance defense cooperation with both nations and strengthen coordination against terrorism, extremism, and separatism—challenges that were central to the SCO’s founding objectives.

The Prime Minister will be in Uzbekistan on August 29–30 and will visit Kyrgyzstan on August 31 and September 1. This marks his fourth visit to Uzbekistan. The SCO meeting coincides with the organization’s 25th anniversary.

India has been a full member of the SCO since 2017. PM Modi will articulate India’s priorities within the organization, focusing on an agenda of security, connectivity, and opportunity. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will also be present at the SCO meeting.

However, there is no indication of a bilateral meeting between the two leaders. Conversely, meetings with other leaders—including Russian President Vladimir Putin—are likely. Talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping may also take place.

The President of Iran will also participate in the meeting. All eyes will be on the joint statement to be issued by the SCO; it is highly probable that the statement will openly condemn any US attack on Iran, given that no key US ally is a member of the organization.

Notably, the Presidents of Russia, China, and Iran are also scheduled to visit New Delhi in just two weeks to attend the BRICS summit. In this context, the Bishkek meeting is also being viewed as a preparation for future diplomacy.

It is also noteworthy that the chairmanship will be handed over to Pakistan at the Bishkek summit itself; this means the SCO summit in 2027 will be held in Pakistan.

Prior to this, India held the chairmanship in 2023, and Pakistan’s then-Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto visited Goa to participate in the proceedings. At that time, the summit was held virtually.

When asked whether India would participate in the SCO under Pakistan’s chairmanship, Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (West) Siby George replied that a decision on this matter would be taken at the appropriate time.

The Ministry of External Affairs stated on Thursday that the Chabahar Port is a crucial component of India’s efforts to strengthen connectivity with Central Asia.

Secretary (West) Siby George made these remarks while speaking to the media ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visits to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

He was responding to a question regarding the prospects of connectivity between India and Central Asia.

George stated that connectivity is a vital aspect of our relations with the region. He noted that India has consistently maintained that Central Asia should have reliable, secure, and commercially viable access to India, and that the country is exploring ways to further strengthen this connectivity. Chabahar is a key element of this linkage; we are monitoring the situation and will take the initiative forward.

Report – Abhijit Tushar Bhatt (Political Editor)