4 days ago

Modi’s Central Asia Tour Targets Trade, Security and Connectivity

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting two countries in Central Asia.

First, he will go to Uzbekistan to discuss trade, medicines, defence and technology.

India and Uzbekistan also want to make it easier for businesses to trade with each other.

Modi will then travel to Kyrgyzstan for a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

Leaders there will discuss terrorism, transport routes, energy and regional security.

India wants better transport connections through Iran’s Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor.

Modi is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, while a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping has also been discussed.

The trip is meant to strengthen India’s relationships and economic links across Eurasia.

Key facts

Uzbekistan visit: August 29-30 in Tashkent, including talks with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Kyrgyzstan visit: August 30 onward in Bishkek, including bilateral talks with President Sadyr Zhaparov.
Trade target: India and Uzbekistan have committed to doubling bilateral trade within three years.
2025 India-Uzbekistan trade: Bilateral trade turnover reached $1.3 billion, according to the article.
SCO summit: The 26th Council of Heads of State Summit will be held in Bishkek under the theme “25 years of the SCO: Together Towards Sustainable Peace, Development and Prosperity.”
Connectivity projects: India is advocating integration of Chabahar Port and the 7,200-kilometre International North-South Transport Corridor into Central Asian transport networks.
Defence exercises: India and Uzbekistan conduct DUSTLIK, while India and Kyrgyzstan conduct the Khanjar special forces exercise.

firstpost.com · 4 days ago