Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, during his visit to attend the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Leadership Summit. The tribute highlighted India’s enduring respect for Gandhi and the continued global relevance of his message of peace and non-violence.
The Mahatma Gandhi statue in Bishkek holds a special connection with Prime Minister Modi. He had unveiled the statue during his visit to Kyrgyzstan in 2015. At the time, Modi described Gandhi as a “vishv maanav” — a global human being whose message transcended national borders.
During Monday’s visit, Modi paid his respects at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Park before continuing with his diplomatic engagements in the Kyrgyz capital. His visit came as leaders from across the region gathered in Bishkek for the SCO summit, which provides a platform for discussions on regional security, economic cooperation and global issues.
PM Modi Meets Friends of India
Following the tribute, Modi interacted with members of the “Friends of India” community in Bishkek. The group included Indian diaspora members as well as people involved in yoga, academia, environmental activities, research and the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme.
During the interaction, the Prime Minister received a copy of Manas: Kyrgyz Veergatha Kavya. The meeting reflected the growing people-to-people connections between India and Kyrgyzstan, particularly through education, culture and yoga.
Gandhi’s Message Remains Relevant
Modi has repeatedly highlighted Gandhi’s philosophy as relevant to contemporary global challenges. During the 2015 unveiling of the Bishkek statue, he said Gandhi’s ideas could offer guidance in addressing challenges including terrorism and climate change.
The latest tribute in Bishkek once again placed Gandhi’s legacy at the centre of India’s diplomatic outreach. It also underscored the cultural links between India and Kyrgyzstan, where yoga and Indian cultural traditions have developed a growing following.
Focus on Regional Diplomacy
Modi’s Gandhi tribute was part of a wider diplomatic programme during his Kyrgyzstan visit. Alongside his participation in the SCO summit, the Prime Minister held and was scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with leaders including Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
The visit reflects India’s broader engagement with Central Asia and its efforts to strengthen strategic, economic and cultural partnerships in the region. The tribute to Gandhi, meanwhile, served as a symbolic reminder of India’s commitment to promoting his ideals of peace, dialogue and non-violence on the international stage.
