Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with students at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on Aug. 30, 2024 [1].
The meeting underscores India's strategy to use cultural diplomacy and educational exchange to strengthen strategic ties with Central Asian nations.
The interaction took place at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies [1]. During the visit, Modi said the students showed interest in Indian languages and culture [2]. This engagement was part of a broader two-day diplomatic visit to Uzbekistan [1] aimed at promoting cultural ties and strengthening bilateral relations [2].
Following the student interaction, the Prime Minister traveled to Kyrgyzstan to pay a floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi in Bishkek [1]. These activities occurred ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit [1].
The Mahatma Gandhi Centre serves as a hub for the study of Indian heritage and language in Uzbekistan. By engaging directly with the youth, the Indian government seeks to build long-term soft power in the region, a key component of its broader geopolitical outreach in Central Asia.
Modi's itinerary emphasized the intersection of education and diplomacy. The visit to the university highlighted the academic interest in India, while the tribute in Bishkek linked the diplomatic mission to the legacy of non-violence and peace associated with Gandhi [1].
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with students at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre in Tashkent”
This visit demonstrates India's commitment to 'soft power' diplomacy in Central Asia. By focusing on language and cultural education at the university level, India aims to create a generation of Uzbek citizens with a favorable view of Indian values, complementing the harder security and economic goals of the SCO summit.
