Modi pays tribute to Gandhi in Bishkek ahead of SCO summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi in Bishkek during his Kyrgyzstan visit for the SCO summit. The visit also underlined India's regional outreach through bilateral talks, community engagement and security-focused diplomacy.Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial in Bishkek during his visit to Kyrgyzstan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. He also met people from various communities in the Kyrgyz capital.Modi arrived in Bishkek on Sunday to attend the 26th SCO Leadership Summit and hold bilateral meetings with leaders of member countries on the sidelines. He is visiting Kyrgyzstan at the invitation of President Sadyr Zhaparov to take part in the summit being held from August 31 to September 1.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.At his hotel, Modi was greeted with chants of "Vande Mataram". He also watched a yoga performance to the patriotic song "Maa Tujhe Salaam" and a cultural dance based on Lord Shiva. 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, 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". Modi reached Bishkek after a two-day visit to Uzbekistan, during which the two countries decided to raise their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership and set a target of USD 5 billion in annual trade by 2030. His visit to Kyrgyzstan is centred on the SCO summit, bilateral talks and engagements with the Indian community.With PTI Inputs- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Aug 31, 2026 11:54 IST