Tashkent, August 30: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri at his memorial in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on Sunday.
The Ministry of External Affairs shared this information via a post, stating, “Prime Minister Modi offered flowers at the memorial of former PM Lal Bahadur Shastri. Shastri’s life symbolizes simplicity, courage, and unwavering dedication to the nation. His timeless slogan ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ continues to inspire generations.”
PM Modi is on a state visit to Uzbekistan from August 29 to 30, 2026. On Saturday, he received a grand welcome at Tashkent Airport from Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. On Sunday, Uzbekistan honored him with its highest state award, the ‘Oli Darajali Dostlik’ order.
A bilateral meeting took place between Modi and Mirziyoyev in Tashkent, where discussions focused on uranium supply between India and Uzbekistan. The leaders also addressed topics such as trade, investment, defense, digital connectivity, energy, and education. They set an ambitious target to increase annual bilateral trade to $5 billion by 2030, with current trade exceeding $1 billion.
Following the meeting, PM Modi addressed the media, revealing plans for direct cooperation in the defense sector, joint weapon production, and the development of new technologies. Both sides agreed on a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, extremism, and separatism, recognizing these as serious threats. They acknowledged that the strong foundation of India-Uzbekistan relations lies in their shared historical and cultural heritage.
Later in the afternoon, PM Modi visited the memorial site dedicated to Lal Bahadur Shastri, India’s second Prime Minister. According to official information, the memorial is located in the center of Tashkent, with a nearby street named ‘Shastri Street.’ Shastri passed away on January 11, 1966, just a day after the Tashkent Agreement.
The bronze bust and memorial were unveiled in 1976, crafted by renowned Uzbek sculptor Yakov Shapiro. The Lal Bahadur Shastri Center for Indian Culture also operates in Tashkent, strengthening cultural ties between the two nations.
After Uzbekistan, PM Modi will travel to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit.
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