Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a four‑day trip to Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic. The visit is not limited to bilateral talks; it also serves three multilateral agendas: the upcoming BRICS summit in September, India’s two‑year term on the UN Security Council, and revival of the India‑Central Asia Summit which has been dormant since 2022.
Key Developments
- Modi will meet leaders of SCO members to align on security and connectivity.
- Discussions will focus on securing India’s role in the BRICS summit and preparing a joint stance for the UN Security Council.
- Efforts to revive the India‑Central Asia Summit and counter the perception that New Delhi has lost interest.
Important Facts
In a 2015 speech at Kazakhstan’s Nazarbayev University, Modi pledged to rebuild connectivity with Central Asia, citing the need to overcome regional fragmentation. The Connect Central Asia policy aimed to boost trade, travel and pipeline projects.
Trade in goods between India and Central Asia has risen from $500 million in 2010 to over $2 billion in 2025. However, geopolitical shifts—particularly changing alignments of Russia, China and the United States—have limited progress on physical connectivity such as rail and road corridors.
Exam Relevance
Understanding this visit helps aspirants answer questions on:
- India’s strategic outreach in Central Asia and its impact on regional security.
- India’s role in multilateral bodies like BRICS and the UN Security Council.
- Policy continuity from the Manmohan Singh era and its relevance to current foreign‑policy priorities.
Way Forward
To convert rhetoric into results, India should:
- Finalize concrete projects under the Connect Central Asia framework, with clear timelines and financing.
- Leverage its upcoming UNSC seat to advocate for Central Asian security concerns, thereby building goodwill.
- Institutionalise the India‑Central Asia Summit with a fixed schedule, ensuring continuity beyond individual leaders.
Successful implementation will enhance India’s strategic depth, diversify energy sources, and strengthen its standing in global governance forums.