India plans Modi visits to Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan to boost Central Asian ties

Uzbekistan’s foreign minister Bakhtiyor Saidov’s recent visit to New Delhi highlighted India’s intent to deepen relations with the Central Asian Republics (CARs). Discussions focused on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming trips to Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, aiming to expand trade, defence cooperation and connectivity. Bilateral trade between India and Uzbekistan has already crossed the $1 billion mark, and joint military exercises such as “Dustlik” underline a growing security partnership.

The Kyrgyzstan leg will coincide with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, providing a platform for broader regional dialogue. India plans to offer 100 training slots for Kyrgyz nationals under its Technical and Economic Cooperation programme and to advance scientific collaboration at the Kyrgyz‑India Mountain Bio‑Medical Research Centre. The visits occur against a backdrop of intensified Chinese Belt‑and‑Road activity and Russian influence in the CARs, prompting New Delhi to seek stronger ties through trade, defence and people‑to‑people exchanges.