Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Uzbekistan has produced another notable diplomatic moment, with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev personally sharing a car ride with him from the airport to the presidential palace.
The warm gesture during Modi’s two-day Uzbekistan visit has brought renewed attention to what has come to be described as the prime minister’s “car diplomacy” — informal moments with world leaders that often carry symbolic diplomatic significance.
Modi arrived in Tashkent late Saturday and received a warm welcome from President Mirziyoyev. The two leaders were seen travelling together by car before attending a dinner meeting at the presidential palace. Images also showed the leaders embracing.
Modi thanks Mirziyoyev for warm welcome
Sharing pictures from his arrival on X, PM Modi expressed gratitude to the Uzbek president for the special reception.
“Landed in Tashkent to a warm welcome by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Grateful to him for the special gesture,” Modi said.
His arrival also featured a cultural welcome showcasing Indian and Uzbek traditions. Performances included a Bollywood rendition of Ude Jab Jab Zulfein Teri, a fusion of Kathak and Andijan Polka, and a Kathak performance by students of the Lal Bahadur Shastri Centre for Indian Culture.
Several prominent buildings in Tashkent, including the Hilton Hotel, were illuminated in colours inspired by the Indian tricolour as part of the welcome.
What is PM Modi’s ‘car diplomacy’?
The latest ride with Mirziyoyev is not the first time Modi has travelled alongside a foreign leader during an overseas visit.
A similar moment occurred during Modi’s visit to Jordan in 2025, when Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II drove him to the Jordan Museum in Amman.
Another such gesture was witnessed during Modi’s visit to Ethiopia, where the Ethiopian prime minister personally received him and drove him to his hotel.
These highly visible gestures are often seen as signs of personal warmth and diplomatic rapport between leaders, although their broader political significance can vary depending on the context.
PM Modi attends yoga event in Tashkent
Beyond diplomatic engagements, Modi also participated in a yoga event during his Uzbekistan visit.
Sharing a video on social media, the prime minister highlighted the popularity of yoga in Uzbekistan and thanked President Mirziyoyev for supporting its growth.
“Uzbekistan loves Yoga,” Modi said.
He also recalled Uzbekistan’s participation in the first World Yogasana Championship held in Ahmedabad earlier this year. Modi noted that some Uzbek medal winners attended the event in Tashkent and praised the Yoga Federation of Uzbekistan for promoting the discipline.
Modi’s next stop: Kyrgyzstan
Following his Uzbekistan visit, Modi is scheduled to travel to Kyrgyzstan to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.
He is also expected to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the gathering, including an interaction with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The car ride with Mirziyoyev, meanwhile, has emerged as one of the most visually striking moments of Modi’s latest diplomatic tour, underscoring the personal warmth displayed during his reception in Tashkent.
