PM Narendra Modi Leaves For Tashkent: Why This Historic City Still Matters To India

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi left on his four-day foreign tour on Saturday. This tour is to two countries of Central Asia – Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. PM Modi will reach Tashkent today and then attend the 26th SCO summit in Bishkek on August 31. The most emotional aspect of this tour is the city of Tashkent, where former Prime Minister of India Lal Bahadur Shastri breathed his last.

What will be discussed with President Mirziyoyev in Tashkent?

During the talks between PM Modi and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent, the current status of relations between the two countries will be discussed. Issues related to trade and investment will be important. Possibilities of working together in defence, energy, education and digital sectors are also to be discussed. Contacts between India and Uzbekistan have increased in the last few years. In such a situation, in this meeting, emphasis is expected to be on reviewing the old agreements and deciding the future direction.

What is the story of Tashkent and Shastri ji?

Tashkent was chosen for peace after the Indo-Pak war of 1965. Then this city was part of the Soviet Union. On January 10, 1966, Lal Bahadur Shastri and Pakistan President Ayub Khan signed the Tashkent Agreement. Soviet Prime Minister Kosygin mediated this. Shastri ji died on the night of 11 January 1966, just hours after the agreement. The official cause was said to be heart attack. Since then Tashkent has become an emotional place in the history of India.

What happened the day after the agreement?

Only a few hours had passed since the Tashkent Agreement was signed when Shastri-ji's health deteriorated. He died on 11 January 1966. The official cause of his death was said to be a heart attack. This is the reason why Tashkent holds a different place in the political history of India. On one hand, a peace agreement was signed here between India and Pakistan and on the other hand, the country lost its Prime Minister in this city.

Will PM Modi visit Shastri Memorial?

This is the most important part in PM Modi's program. He will visit the Shastri Memorial at Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies and pay homage. Along with this, he will also visit the Mahatma Gandhi Center built there. The PM has described it as a symbol of cultural relations between the two countries.

Over the next few days, will be in Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic.

The programmes include:

Bilateral talks with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent to improve the India-Uzbekistan friendship.

Visit to the Shastri Memorial and the Mahatma Gandhi Centre at the…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 29, 2026

Why go to Bishkek after Uzbekistan?

After completing the programme in Tashkent, the Prime Minister will go to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. The 26th summit of SCO is to be held there on 31 August and 1 September. This meeting has its own special importance. SCO is completing 25 years of its formation and India is a full member of this organisation since 2017.

What will be India's priorities in the SCO meeting?

Issues related to regional security will be important in the meeting to be held in Bishkek. India can take a position on cooperation against terrorism, extremism and separatism. Along with this, regional connectivity and economic opportunities will also be discussed. Before the visit, the Prime Minister has linked India's regional vision to security, connectivity and opportunity. He may also have separate meetings with other SCO leaders.

Will PM Modi also participate in any cultural programmes?

PM Modi will attend the opening ceremony of the sixth World Nomad Games in Bishkek. The traditional sporting culture and heritage of Central Asia is given a place in this event. The presence of the Prime Minister also adds to the cultural aspect of this visit. India has been emphasising the promotion of not only political and economic relations with Central Asian countries but also people-to-people contacts.

How important is this tour for India?

Central Asia is becoming increasingly important in India's foreign policy. Energy, trade, security and regional connectivity are areas where India wants to increase its engagement with countries in the region. In such a situation, the talks to be held during PM Modi's visit to Tashkent and Bishkek will be kept an eye on. Bilateral relations will be discussed in Tashkent, while in Bishkek India will get an opportunity to present its priorities on the multilateral platform.