PM Modi participates in yoga session in Tashkent during Uzbekistan visit

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in a yoga session organised by the Yoga Federation of Uzbekistan in Tashkent on Sunday, during his two-day state visit to Uzbekistan.

PM Modi walked around the venue and interacted with participants as the group performed yoga. He also posed for a group photograph with the participants at the end of the session.

The yoga programme came a day after PM Modi received a warm welcome from Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev following his arrival in Tashkent. The two leaders travelled together from the airport to the presidential palace and later held a dinner meeting.

"Landed in Tashkent to a warm welcome by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Grateful to him for the special gesture. This is my fourth visit to Uzbekistan, reflecting the depth and growing momentum of our bilateral relations," said the PM as he landed in Uzbekistan on Saturday.

Later, the Prime Minister shared a video message hailing the session saying, "‘Uzbekistan loves yoga." In another social media post he further added, "Uzbekistan was a proud participant in the first ever World Yogasana Championship held in Ahmedabad earlier this year. Some of the medalists were also present today. They came back with great memories of India and the Championship. I commend the Yoga Federation of Uzbekistan for their work towards making Yoga popular."

The Prime Minister is scheduled to hold delegation-level talks with Mirziyoyev later on Sunday, with discussions expected to focus on trade and investment, defence, digital connectivity, energy, education and people-to-people ties.

The visit is PM Modi’s fourth to Uzbekistan since becoming prime minister, following trips in 2015, 2016 and 2022. He will travel to Bishkek next to attend the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit at the invitation of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov.