India-Uzbekistan Elevate Ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Set $5 Billion Trade Target

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the India-Uzbekistan Strategic Partnership. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Tashkent, the two countries agreed to elevate their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, marking a new phase in bilateral ties.

“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’,” Prime Minister Modi said during his bilateral talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Modi added that both countries had prepared an ambitious agenda aimed at giving fresh momentum to the partnership and achieving concrete results. The two sides also agreed to work towards increasing annual bilateral trade to $5 billion by 2030.

Focus on Strategic Sectors

India and Uzbekistan are looking to deepen cooperation across several important areas, including critical minerals, clean energy, technology, infrastructure, defence and security, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, education and digital public infrastructure.

The two countries also agreed to establish a framework for the long-term supply of uranium from Uzbekistan to India as part of cooperation in the civil nuclear energy sector.

Modi Conferred Uzbekistan’s Highest Honour

During his visit, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev conferred Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Uzbekistan’s “Oliy Darajali Do’stlik” (Order of the Highest Friendship), the country’s highest state honour for foreign leaders.

Modi dedicated the honour to the enduring friendship between India and Uzbekistan and described it as a symbol of the longstanding relationship between the two countries.

Modi’s Visit to Tashkent

Prime Minister Modi arrived in Tashkent on Saturday for a two-day visit and was received by President Mirziyoyev. During the visit, the two leaders reviewed the full range of India-Uzbekistan relations and discussed ways to expand cooperation in trade, investment, energy, technology and other sectors.

Several agreements and understandings covering areas including mining, culture, education, tourism and Ayurveda were also exchanged in the presence of the two leaders. The two countries agreed on a Letter of Intent concerning the restoration and preservation of the Buddhist archaeological sites of Fayaz Tepe and Kara Tepe in Uzbekistan.

The Prime Minister also paid tribute at Yangi Uzbekistan Park and interacted with members of the Indian community during his visit to Tashkent.

The latest decisions are expected to provide a broader framework for India-Uzbekistan cooperation, with both sides seeking to strengthen economic engagement and expand collaboration in energy, technology, defence, security, culture and other emerging areas.