Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
| Photo Credit: Youtube/@pmoindia via PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (August 31, 2026) paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial here during his visit to Kyrgyzstan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
He also met people from various communities in Bishkek.
The Prime Minister arrived in Bishkek on Sunday (August 30, 2026) to attend the 26th SCO Leadership Summit and hold bilateral meetings with leaders of member countries on the sidelines.
He was received at the airport by Adylbek Kasymaliev, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic. A traditional Kyrgyz dance performance was also held to welcome him.
Mr. Modi was greeted with chants of “Vande Mataram” at his hotel, where he also witnessed a yoga performance to the patriotic song “Maa Tujhe Salaam” and a Lord Shiva-themed cultural dance.
Mr. Modi is visiting Kyrgyzstan at the invitation of President Sadyr Zhaparov to participate in the SCO summit being held on August 31-September 1.
The 10-member SCO is marking the 25th anniversary of its founding this year.
The grouping was established in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan joined as full members in 2017, followed by Iran in 2023 and Belarus in 2024.
In his departure statement on Saturday (August 29, 2026), Modi said he looked forward to advancing India’s vision for the region, anchored in “security, connectivity and opportunity”, and working with fellow SCO members for a region free from “terrorism, separatism and extremism”.
Mr. Modi arrived in Bishkek after a two-day visit to Uzbekistan, during which the two countries decided to elevate their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership and set a target of $5 billion in annual trade by 2030.
Published – August 31, 2026 12:17 pm IST
