TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN / RankWire.AI / – On Sunday, India and Uzbekistan elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, broadening collaboration in key economic and security fields. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced this advancement following discussions at the Kuksaroy Residence in Tashkent. The leaders reviewed trade, investment, transport, digital technology, energy, critical minerals, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and education, with Modi’s visit to Uzbekistan spanning August 29 to 30 at Mirziyoyev’s invitation.
Trade and economic cooperation were central to the dialogue. According to the Uzbek government, bilateral trade reached $1.3 billion in 2025, marking a 33% increase. Both nations aim to elevate annual trade to $5 billion by 2030. The number of joint ventures has increased sevenfold over recent years. Currently, India and Uzbekistan operate 14 direct flights each week, and four Indian universities are active in Uzbekistan. The leaders emphasized the importance of expanding industrial and commercial collaborations.
An agreement was reached to form a mechanism at the foreign ministers’ level to oversee the implementation of bilateral deals. They also intend to establish a joint working group to address non-tariff barriers and investment issues. Officials will explore further steps after completing a feasibility study for an India-Uzbekistan Preferential Trade Agreement. Priority sectors identified include energy, electrical engineering, metallurgy, critical minerals, and agriculture, while healthcare, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, electronics, mechanical engineering, and jewelry were also discussed as key economic areas.
Expansion of cooperation across vital sectors confirmed
During the state visit, India and Uzbekistan signed 11 agreements, memoranda, and related arrangements covering areas such as culture, higher education, scientific research, environmental protection, traditional medicine, tourism, geology, and mineral resources. The package also includes collaborations on archival projects and economic and financial dialogues. An additional accord connects Gujarat state with Uzbekistan’s Samarkand region. Diplomatic training cooperation and measures for archaeological research and conservation at the Fayaz Tepa and Kara Tepa Buddhist sites were also approved.
Additional announcements emerged during the visit, focusing on payments, education, and environmental initiatives. India pledged a $1 million grant to support afforestation efforts in the Aral Sea region and announced 100 Lal Bahadur Shastri scholarships for Hindi language studies, along with establishing a Sanskrit academic chair in Tashkent. NPCI International Payments and Uzbekistan’s National Interbank Processing Centre signed a commercial agreement involving UPI, which will enable Indian UPI applications to scan Uzbekistan’s UZQR system for merchant payments.
Security issues and multilateral partnership remain focal points
Discussions between Modi and Mirziyoyev also covered defense, counterterrorism, and regional security cooperation. The leaders condemned terrorism, including cross-border threats, and called for measures against financing networks, safe havens, and supporting infrastructure. They endorsed increased cooperation in law enforcement, intelligence sharing, cyber threats, and organized crime. The ongoing military collaboration was also acknowledged, with their latest joint Dustlik military exercise taking place in Uzbekistan’s Namangan region in April 2026. Both sides expressed support for continued engagement through regional and international organizations.
Uzbekistan reaffirmed its backing for India’s bid to become a permanent member of a reformed United Nations Security Council. The two nations agreed to enhance coordination through the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and other multilateral platforms. During the visit, Mirziyoyev awarded Modi the Oliy Darajali Do’stlik Order, Uzbekistan’s highest state honour for foreign leaders. Modi extended an invitation to Mirziyoyev to visit India, with specific dates to be finalized via diplomatic channels.