Modi presents Indian art, tea and books to Uzbek and Kyrgyz leaders at SCO summit
At the 26th SCO summit in Bishkek, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a variety of Indian handicrafts, teas, musical instruments and literary works to Uzbekistan’s president and prime minister, as well as to Kyrgyzstan’s prime minister.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 26th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, where he distributed an assortment of traditional Indian gifts. Uzbekistan’s president Shavkat Mirziyoyev was presented with a decorative marble inlay plate, two boxes of Kangra First Flush Black and Green teas in a carved wooden box, and the original handwritten scoresheet of Uzbek chess Grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov from the 2025 FIDE World Cup final.
Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov received a marble inlay plate and a marble casket containing a Banarasi silk stole, while the president’s spouse Ziroat Mirziyoyeva got a matching marble casket and stole, and his daughter was given a finely crafted silver brooch. Kyrgyzstan’s prime minister received a Dokra lost-wax metal artwork depicting traditional musicians, and the SCO president was gifted a ten-volume English translation of the Mahabharata by Bibek Debroy. The selections highlighted regional craft traditions from Agra, Varanasi, Kangra and Himachal Pradesh, aiming to strengthen cultural ties among the member states.
Why it matters
The gifts showcase India's cultural diplomacy, reinforcing ties with Central Asian partners at a key multilateral forum.
How this story developed
- Aug 28 China, Russia and India convene in Bishkek for SCO summit challenging US influence
- Aug 31 India’s enthusiasm for the SCO is reported to be waning.
- Aug 31 Xi pledged stronger China‑Russia cooperation at the summit.
- Sep 1 Modi urged Putin to end the Ukraine war during the summit.
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