Tashkent: India and Uzbekistan on Sunday elevated their bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and set an ambitious target of increasing annual bilateral trade to USD 5 billion by 2030, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent.
The two leaders discussed expanding cooperation across trade and investment, defence and security, critical minerals, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, education, artificial intelligence and digital public infrastructure.
A key outcome of the talks was an agreement to establish a framework for the long-term supply of uranium from Uzbekistan to India. External Affairs Ministry Secretary (West) Sibi George said discussions on the arrangement had been positive and indicated that the two sides were moving towards signing an agreement shortly.
Addressing a joint media interaction, Modi said bilateral trade had already crossed USD 1 billion and that both countries would systematically address issues relating to market access, connectivity, banking and payment systems to achieve the USD 5 billion target.
The elevation of ties comes as India and Uzbekistan mark the 15th anniversary of their strategic partnership. Modi described Uzbekistan as being at the heart of India’s engagement with Central Asia and said stronger bilateral relations would contribute to peace, progress and prosperity in the region.
The two sides also agreed to establish a coordination council headed by their foreign ministers to provide direction to bilateral cooperation. The existing joint commission between the countries will also be elevated from the secretary level to the ministerial level.
President Mirziyoyev described India as a “reliable strategic partner” and highlighted the expansion of economic engagement between the two countries. He said joint ventures had increased seven-fold, while there are now 14 direct flights between India and Uzbekistan every week.
Cooperation in energy, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, jewellery and culture will be strengthened through sector-specific roadmaps and dedicated working teams, Mirziyoyev said.
Defence and security cooperation also featured prominently in the discussions. Modi said the two countries would promote direct linkages, co-production and co-development between their defence industries. Both sides reiterated their opposition to terrorism, extremism and separatism and their commitment to a policy of zero tolerance towards these threats.
The leaders witnessed the exchange of 11 agreements and understandings covering mining, culture, education, tourism and other areas. An agreement between the mining ministries will promote cooperation in mineral resources, including rare earths, while a separate memorandum of understanding will establish an Economic and Financial Dialogue.
The two countries also agreed to strengthen cooperation in higher education and scientific research. India and Uzbekistan signed a letter of intent for the conservation and restoration of the ancient Buddhist sites of Fayaz Tepa and KaraTepa at Termez.
India announced a USD 1 million grant for afforestation in the Aral Sea region. Meanwhile, NPCI International Payments Ltd and Uzbekistan’s National Interbank Processing Centre signed a commercial agreement enabling Indian UPI applications to scan Uzbekistan’s national QR codes for merchant payments.
In another significant move to boost people-to-people exchanges, Uzbekistan introduced a 30-day visa-free regime for Indian citizens, aimed at promoting tourism and business travel.
During the visit, President Mirziyoyev also conferred Uzbekistan’s highest state honour for foreign leaders, the Order of Oliy Darajali Do‘stlik, on Prime Minister Modi for his contribution to strengthening India-Uzbekistan friendship.
Following his Uzbekistan visit, Modi arrived in Kyrgyzstan to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit and hold bilateral meetings with several participating leaders.
