Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with students at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre in Tashkent on Sunday during an official visit to Uzbekistan [1].
The engagement serves as a diplomatic effort to strengthen cultural and educational cooperation between India and Uzbekistan while promoting the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi [4].
During the visit to the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, Modi met with students who have shown a growing interest in Indian culture and language [1]. The prime minister said the interaction was "interesting for quite a few reasons" [2].
Modi said he was "happy to see enthusiasm of my young friends" during the event [3]. He said there was "great passion towards studying about India" displayed by the students at the center [2].
The Mahatma Gandhi Centre acts as a hub for the study of Indian philosophy and history within Uzbekistan. By engaging directly with the youth, the Indian government aims to deepen the soft-power influence of its educational exports, and cultural heritage in Central Asia [4].
Throughout the visit, the prime minister focused on the shared values between the two nations. He said the students' interest in India reflects a broader regional trend of academic curiosity regarding the subcontinent's history and modern development [2].
This interaction is part of a larger diplomatic itinerary in Tashkent designed to bolster bilateral relations. The visit emphasizes the role of educational exchange in building long-term strategic partnerships beyond traditional trade and security agreements [1].
“"Happy to see enthusiasm of my young friends"”
This visit signals India's strategic focus on Central Asia through 'soft power' diplomacy. By leveraging the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and educational centers, India seeks to create a grassroots connection with the Uzbek youth to balance geopolitical influences in the region.
