TASHKENT: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday attended a yoga programme organised by the Yoga Federation of Uzbekistan in Tashkent as he continued his two-day State visit aimed at strengthening India’s strategic partnership with the Central Asian nation.
The Prime Minister also shared glimpses of the reception accorded to him following his arrival in the Uzbek capital on Saturday.
“A special welcome, wreath-laying at the Yangi Uzbekistan Monument and interaction with the Indian community… Here are highlights from yesterday in Tashkent,” Modi said in a post on X.
The yoga programme came days after the Prime Minister, in his Independence Day address on August 15, described India’s “soft power” as the seventh strength of his “Saptadhara” vision. He had highlighted yoga, handicrafts, films, animation, gaming, digital content and the wider creative sector among India’s major strengths.
Modi arrived in Tashkent on Saturday for his fourth visit to Uzbekistan. He is scheduled to hold delegation-level talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev later on Sunday, with both sides expected to review cooperation across trade and investment, defence, digital connectivity, energy, education and people-to-people ties.
Several landmark buildings in Tashkent, including the Hilton Hotel, were illuminated in the colours of the Indian Tricolour to mark the Prime Minister’s visit.
Members of the Indian diaspora also accorded Modi an enthusiastic cultural welcome featuring traditional performances reflecting both Indian and Uzbek heritage.
The programme included a performance by the Bollywood Battle Group to the evergreen song “Ude Jab Jab Zulfein Teri”, a fusion of Kathak with the energetic Andijan Polka, and a Kathak presentation by students of the Lal Bahadur Shastri Centre for Indian Culture.
“The community welcome in Tashkent was a delightful celebration of India-Uzbekistan cultural ties,” Modi said while praising the performances.
Earlier, the Prime Minister laid a wreath at Yangi Uzbekistan Park in the presence of President Mirziyoyev.
During their talks, the two leaders are expected to take stock of the India-Uzbekistan strategic partnership and chart the roadmap for expanding cooperation in key sectors.
This is Modi’s fourth visit to Uzbekistan. His previous visits included bilateral and multilateral engagements in 2015, 2016 and 2022, including participation in Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summits.
Relations between New Delhi and Tashkent have steadily expanded over the years. President Mirziyoyev undertook a State visit to India in 2018 and later participated in the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in 2019.
After concluding his engagements in Tashkent, Modi is scheduled to travel to Bishkek at the invitation of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov to participate in the 26th SCO Summit, being held as the grouping marks 25 years of its establishment.
