Tashkent, August 2026 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday visited the Mahatma Gandhi Centre at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, where he interacted with Indologists and students and signed the visitors’ book as part of his two-day state visit to Uzbekistan.
The visit highlighted the longstanding cultural and intellectual ties between India and Uzbekistan. During his interaction, Modi engaged with students and scholars associated with the study of India and its civilisational heritage. He also witnessed a special yoga session featuring 52 practitioners from Uzbekistan, underlining the growing popularity of yoga and people-to-people connections between the two countries.
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister paid tribute to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri at the Shastri Memorial in Tashkent. Shastri served as India’s Prime Minister from June 9, 1964, to January 11, 1966, and is remembered for his leadership during a crucial period in India’s history. He gave the country the popular slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan.”
In a post on X, Modi said he had paid homage to Shastri and recalled his contribution to the nation. He described the former Prime Minister as a towering statesman whose unwavering commitment to India continues to inspire generations.
The Prime Minister also held delegation-level talks with Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the Presidential Palace in Tashkent. The two leaders reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and discussed ways to further deepen the strategic partnership between India and Uzbekistan.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the discussions focused on expanding cooperation across several key sectors, including trade and investment, infrastructure, critical minerals, mining, defence and security, innovation, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and information technology.
The two sides also discussed cooperation in digital public infrastructure, including India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI), as well as education and other areas of mutual interest. The talks reflected the growing scope of bilateral engagement beyond traditional areas of cooperation.
During the visit, President Mirziyoyev conferred Uzbekistan’s highest honour, the “Oliy Darajali Do’stlik” Order, on Prime Minister Modi in recognition of his contribution to strengthening friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
As part of their shared commitment to environmental sustainability, Modi and Mirziyoyev jointly planted a tree at the Presidential Palace. The activity was carried out under India’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative and Uzbekistan’s ‘Yashil Makon’ green campaign.
Earlier, Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Presidential Palace. In a special gesture, President Mirziyoyev had also personally welcomed the Indian Prime Minister upon his arrival at the airport in Tashkent.
Following the conclusion of his engagements in Uzbekistan, Modi is scheduled to travel to Kyrgyzstan for a two-day visit. There, he will attend the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit and participate in the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games.
