Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India will seek to advance its vision for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), with security, connectivity and opportunity at its core, during his upcoming visit to Central Asia.

Modi is travelling to Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic from August 29 to September 1. He said he is looking forward to working with SCO members towards a region free from terrorism, separatism and extremism.

The Prime Minister said his visit is aimed at strengthening India’s strategic partnerships in Central Asia and further deepening the civilisational links between India and the region.

PM Modi to visit Uzbekistan

At the invitation of Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Modi will visit Tashkent on August 29 and 30 for a state visit.

He said the India-Uzbekistan Strategic Partnership has made significant progress in recent years and that his discussions with Mirziyoyev will focus on further expanding cooperation.

The areas of cooperation will include trade and investment, digital connectivity, defence and energy, along with the shared visions of ‘Viksit Bharat’ and ‘Yangi Uzbekistan’.

During his stay in Tashkent, Modi will also visit the Shastri Memorial and the Mahatma Gandhi Centre at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, highlighting the cultural and people-to-people ties between India and Uzbekistan.

Modi to attend 26th SCO Summit in Bishkek

From Tashkent, Modi will travel to Bishkek at the invitation of Kyrgyz Republic President Sadyr Zhaparov to participate in the 26th SCO Summit.

The summit marks 25 years of the SCO. Modi is also scheduled to meet President Zhaparov and other SCO leaders during the visit.

He will attend the opening ceremony of the 6th World Nomad Games, which celebrates the cultural heritage of Central Asia.

Security and connectivity among India’s SCO priorities

In his departure statement, Modi said India has remained an active and constructive SCO member since 2017.

He said India’s vision for the region is anchored in security, connectivity and opportunity, while terrorism, separatism and extremism continue to pose threats to peace and stability.

Officials said Modi will address the SCO summit and outline India’s priorities. He is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with SCO leaders on the sidelines of the summit.

The Prime Minister said the visit would contribute to the shared pursuit of peace, stability and prosperity, which he described as central to India’s engagement with the world.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday condoled the death of Norway’s King Harald V, who passed away at the age of 89.

In a post on X, PM Modi said he was deeply saddened by the death of the Norwegian monarch and recalled meeting him during his visit to Norway earlier this year.

PM Modi remembers King Harald V

PM Modi said his interaction with King Harald V left a lasting impression, particularly because of the monarch’s warmth and dedication to his country.

He extended his condolences to the Norwegian Royal Family as well as the people of Norway following the King’s death.

King Harald V was Europe’s oldest monarch at the time of his death. He had served as Norway’s king since 1991 and was known for modernising the country’s royal institution while maintaining a strong connection with the Norwegian people.

The Norwegian monarch also spent part of his childhood in exile in the United States during the Nazi occupation of Norway.

King Harald V’s death has prompted tributes from leaders and royal families around the world. His son, Crown Prince Haakon, has succeeded him following his death.

Nepal has temporarily halted rescue operations after authorities received information that a water barrier on the Tibetan side of the border had breached, raising the risk of further flooding in the Himalayan region.

Police warned security personnel, rescue workers and members of the public involved in relief operations to remain alert and immediately move to safer locations.

The warning came two days after a glacial collapse triggered deadly flash flooding in Nepal, killing 469 people. Around 1,400 people are still missing, including hundreds of foreigners, according to the information provided by authorities.

Nepalese authorities stopped rescue operations for 90 minutes amid concerns that another wave of flooding could hit the area within hours.

Narendra Pariyar, the senior bureaucrat of Nepal’s Rasuwa district, said the water level in the river was rising. Helicopter rescue operations were also suspended, while residents were seen moving towards higher ground.

China pauses rescue operations in Tibet

China also suspended rescue operations in the affected area, citing the risk of renewed flooding.

A lake had formed near the China-Nepal border after large amounts of mud and debris accumulated following a mudslide. The lake began overflowing towards areas where rescue teams had been working.

Chinese authorities ordered rescue teams to remain on standby and withdraw one kilometre from the affected area as a precaution.

The developments came as hundreds of people remained missing in Tibet following the deadly mudslide.

Barrier lake raises fresh flood fears

The barrier lake formed after mud and debris hit the Gyirong border hub in Tibet on Wednesday. Aerial footage captured by a Chinese rescue team on Thursday showed brown water accumulating in a basin with no visible outlet.

The water had already covered bushes and trees and was pressing against a barrier made of debris and stones.

Earlier, rescuers and residents on the lower banks in Nepal had been advised to move to higher ground. Chinese personnel and vehicles were also moved away from the area as concerns grew over the possibility of the lake bursting.

Authorities were also concerned about potential secondary disasters, including mountain collapses and avalanches.

The renewed warning has added to the challenges facing rescue teams as Nepal continues efforts to locate those still missing after the devastating flash floods.