India and Uzbekistan on Sunday announced a major upgrade in bilateral relations, elevating their existing strategic partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The two countries also agreed to deepen cooperation in defence, trade, energy, connectivity and emerging technologies.
The announcement was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The upgrade comes as the two nations mark 15 years of their strategic partnership.
Addressing a joint press conference, Modi said the new framework would be backed by specific targets and greater institutional coordination.
Under the new arrangement, India and Uzbekistan will establish a Coordination Council headed by their foreign ministers to oversee bilateral cooperation across various sectors. The existing Joint Commission will also be elevated from the secretary level to the ministerial level.
Modi described Uzbekistan as a key partner in Central Asia and said stronger ties with Tashkent were important to India’s wider engagement with the region.
DEFENCE COOPERATION TO GET A BOOST
Defence and security emerged as key areas of the upgraded partnership. Modi said the growing cooperation between the two countries reflected the high level of trust between India and Uzbekistan.
The two sides plan to expand direct cooperation between their defence industries, including opportunities for co-production and co-development of defence equipment.
India and Uzbekistan also reiterated their opposition to terrorism, extremism and separatism, with both countries stressing the need for a zero-tolerance approach to threats that undermine regional peace and stability.
INDIA, UZBEKISTAN TARGET $5 BILLION TRADE BY 2030
Bilateral trade between India and Uzbekistan has crossed the $1 billion mark, and the two countries have now set an ambitious target of taking trade to $5 billion by 2030.
To achieve the goal, both sides will focus on improving market access, strengthening connectivity and expanding cooperation in banking and digital payment systems.
India and Uzbekistan are also expected to organise a joint business summit and identify infrastructure projects that can generate new economic opportunities.
The partnership is being expanded into emerging sectors as well, including artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure, critical minerals, space and nuclear energy.
LONG-TERM URANIUM SUPPLY UNDER DISCUSSION
Energy cooperation is another important component of the new partnership. India and Uzbekistan are working towards a long-term arrangement for uranium supplies to India.
The proposed cooperation is aimed at supporting India’s civilian nuclear energy requirements as New Delhi continues to diversify its sources of nuclear fuel.
Clean energy and other energy-related areas were also discussed during Modi’s two-day visit to Uzbekistan.
PUSH TO STRENGTHEN PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE AND REGIONAL LINKS
Modi stressed that bilateral relations should extend beyond the national capitals of the two countries.
India and Uzbekistan will explore partnerships between cities and states to promote greater cooperation at the regional and local levels.
The Prime Minister also highlighted similarities between the development priorities of “New Uzbekistan” and “Viksit Bharat 2047”, particularly in areas such as youth development, innovation, inclusive growth and technology.
He said the shared aspirations of the two countries could provide a strong foundation for deeper cooperation in the years ahead.
MODI HONOURED WITH UZBEKISTAN’S HIGHEST STATE AWARD
During his visit, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev conferred Uzbekistan’s highest state honour, the Order of “Oliy Darajali Dustlik”, on Prime Minister Modi.
The award, which recognises friendship and cooperation, marked Modi’s 36th international honour.
Accepting the distinction, Modi described it as a matter of great pride and dedicated the honour to the longstanding friendship between India and Uzbekistan and to the people of India.
Referring to the word “Dostlik”, meaning friendship, Modi noted its connection with the familiar Indian word “dost”, or friend.
He said the award symbolised the close relationship between the two nations and emphasised that the honour represented the friendship between the people of India and Uzbekistan rather than an individual achievement.