Looking to advance India’s vision for region free from terror, says PM Modi as he embarks on visit to Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan - The Hindu

**Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches a four‑day diplomatic tour of Central Asia, beginning with Uzbekistan and continuing to the Kyrgyz Republic, as part of India’s push to promote a terror‑free neighbourhood.** Arriving in Tashkent on Monday, Modi was received by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov, who highlighted the deepening political and economic ties that have expanded since the two countries signed a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2021. The itinerary includes bilateral talks, a visit to historic sites, and participation in a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) scheduled for early September in Kyrgyzstan, where India will hold the rotating chairmanship.

During the opening statements in Tashkent, Modi underscored India’s “vision for a region free from terror, extremism and militancy,” urging Central Asian partners to intensify cooperation on intelligence sharing, counter‑terrorism training, and border security. The prime minister also announced the launch of a joint task force on counter‑terrorism and a framework for collaborative research on radicalisation, echoing similar initiatives discussed at the upcoming SCO summit. Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, both members of the SCO, have previously partnered with India on anti‑terror drills, and the visit is expected to cement a trilateral mechanism involving Russia and China to monitor extremist networks that exploit porous borders.

Analysts view the trip as a strategic effort to broaden India’s influence in a region traditionally dominated by Beijing and Moscow, while also securing new avenues for trade, energy, and connectivity under the “Act East” and “Connect Central Asia” initiatives. The foreign ministries of both Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan welcomed the visit, describing it as a “significant step toward strengthening regional stability and prosperity.” Observers note that the timing—just weeks before the SCO summit—allows India to shape the agenda on counter‑terrorism, digital security, and infrastructure development, reinforcing its role as a key stakeholder in Central Asian affairs.