PM Modi heads to SCO Summit, sets sights on terrorism-free area.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a two-nation journey to Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic to attend the SCO summit. He expressed his eagerness to promote India's vision for the organization and collaborate with other members to create a terrorism-free region. Modi's first stop will be Uzbekistan, followed by his attendance at the summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic.

He also stated that he is confident that this trip will strengthen India's strategic partnerships in Central Asia and deepen our cultural ties with the region. In his statement before departing, Modi emphasized that this trip will contribute to our shared goal of peace, stability, and prosperity - values that are central to India's global engagement. He also noted that India has been an active and constructive member of the SCO since 2017 and is committed to promoting security, connectivity, and opportunities within the region.

The prime minister will begin his journey with a state visit to Uzbekistan on August 29-30, at the invitation of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. He highlighted the significant progress made in the India-Uzbekistan strategic partnership in recent years and is looking forward to discussing further cooperation in trade, investment, digital connectivity, defense, and energy. Additionally, he plans to visit the Shastri Memorial and the Mahatma Gandhi Centre at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies to honor the strong cultural and people-to-people ties between the two nations.

From Tashkent, Modi will travel to Bishkek, at the invitation of President Sadyr Zhaparov of the Kyrgyz Republic, to participate in the 26th SCO Summit, which marks 25 years of this important organization. He expressed his excitement to meet with President Zhaparov and other SCO leaders and attend the Opening Ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games, a celebration of the vibrant heritage of Central Asia that India deeply respects. Officials have announced that Modi will address the SCO summit, where he will highlight India's priorities of security, connectivity, and opportunity.

He will also hold bilateral meetings with other SCO leaders on the sidelines of the summit. In conclusion, as Modi embarks on this significant journey, we can expect to see India's commitment to promoting peace, cooperation, and cultural ties within the region. Stay tuned for updates on his trip!