Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, for a two-day visit from August 31 to September 1, 2026, to participate in the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.
Modi travelled to Bishkek after completing his two-day state visit to Uzbekistan. He is visiting Kyrgyzstan at the invitation of President Sadyr Zhaparov.
Key Highlights
- 26th SCO Summit: Modi will address the summit on September 1.
- India’s priorities: Security, Connectivity and Opportunity.
- Bilateral meetings: Modi is scheduled to meet several SCO leaders on the summit sidelines.
- World Nomad Games: He will attend the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games.
- SCO milestone: The summit coincides with the organisation’s 25th anniversary; India has been a full SCO member since 2017.
Why the Visit Matters
The visit is expected to strengthen India’s strategic engagement with Central Asia, while providing an opportunity to discuss regional security, connectivity, economic cooperation and the fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism.
26th SCO Summit 2026: Key Highlights
The 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit is being held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on August 31–September 1, 2026. The summit brings together leaders of SCO member countries to discuss regional security, economic cooperation, connectivity and other international issues.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is representing India at the summit. India’s key priorities include Security, Connectivity and Opportunity, with particular emphasis on combating terrorism and strengthening cooperation with Central Asian countries.
The 2026 summit is also significant as the SCO completes 25 years since its establishment in 2001. India has been a full member of the organisation since 2017.
Key Takeaway: The Bishkek SCO Summit provides India an important platform to strengthen its engagement with Central Asia and major regional powers while promoting security, connectivity and economic cooperation.