New Delhi: Ties between India and Uzbekistan were elevated to “comprehensive strategic partnership”, with the two countries agreeing to establish a “long-term arrangement” for uranium supply, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent Sunday.
Modi was also conferred with the “Oliy Darajali Do’stlik (Order of the Highest Friendship)” by Mirziyoyev in a ceremony on account of the “enduring” friendship between the countries. Among other recipients of the honour is Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The Indian PM announced the establishment of the long-term supply agreement for uranium during his opening remarks ahead of the delegation level talks with Mirziyoyev.
Additionally, the two countries have also sought to enhance defence ties, especially in areas of co-production and co-development of platforms. Other areas where India and Uzbekistan are keen to deepen engagement include critical minerals, clean energy, space and artificial intelligence.
“This year marks the 15th anniversary of our Strategic Partnership. On this special occasion, we have decided to elevate our relationship to the status of a ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’. Today, we have outlined an ambitious agenda to advance this new phase of our partnership with rapid momentum and concrete results,” said Modi in his statement to the press.
“The close defence and security cooperation between our two nations reflects our deep mutual trust. Moving forward, we will promote direct linkages, co-production, and co-development between the defense industries of both countries. We believe that terrorism, extremism, and separatism pose serious challenges to the entire region.”
Modi landed in the Uzbek capital of Tashkent Saturday, in a flight path that took India One (the Prime Minister’s aircraft) eastwards via China before turning West towards the Central Asian country. He was received at the airport by President Mirziyoyev. The PM laid a wreath at the Yangi Uzbekistan Park—opened in 2021 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Uzbekistan’s Independence—in Tashkent before being welcomed by the Indian community.
Modi will also offer a floral tribute at the memorial to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, before engaging with the Gandhi Centre at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies Sunday. He will depart for Bishkek Sunday night, to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of State summit.
$5 bn trade goal, future-proofing economies
Modi announced that India and Uzbekistan will aim to grow their economic trade ties to $5 billion by 2030—a five-fold increase from current relationship, with a focus on emerging technologies and sectors.
“Our bilateral trade has crossed the one-billion-dollar mark. We have now set a target of five billion dollars in trade by 2030. To achieve this, we will systematically address issues related to market access, connectivity, banking, and payment systems,” he said. “We will work together to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation in infrastructure development. Collaboration in areas such as Digital Public Infrastructure, AI, critical minerals, clean energy, space, and nuclear energy is making our relationship future-ready.”
India exported $657 million worth of goods to the Central Asian country last year. Meat, pharmaceuticals and fruits were the top three exports.
“Our strengths in agriculture and healthcare complement each other. By combining Uzbekistan’s expertise in horticulture with India’s modern agricultural practices, we will contribute to the food security of both our nations. Uzbekistan’s medicinal herbs and India’s expertise in Ayurveda form a natural combination. The agreement on traditional medicine signed today will strengthen our joint efforts,” said Modi.
Over 400 Indian companies are currently active in Uzbekistan, with a growing number of firms in the automobile component industry setting up bases in Central Asian countries. Automobile components manufacturer Minda Industries Limited won the bid to acquire roughly a 51 percent stake in a local manufacturer about half a decade ago.
Amongst other agreements signed were a Memorandum of Understanding on a programme of cooperation for tourism, especially focusing on the shared Buddhist heritage of the countries.
This is Modi’s fourth visit to Uzbekistan and the second stand-alone bilateral visit. He had earlier visited in 2015, 2016 and 2022. Mirziyoyev is expected to travel to India in a couple of weeks for the BRICS summit.
(Edited by Mannat Chugh)
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