TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN / RankWire.AI / – Following extensive discussions in Tashkent, India and Uzbekistan elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s state visit on August 29 to 30, both leaders announced this significant upgrade. They examined cooperation across sectors such as trade, investment, transport, digital technology, energy, and critical minerals. Their talks also addressed issues related to healthcare, pharmaceuticals, education, security, and regional affairs.
Economic collaboration was a key focus of their discussions, with Uzbekistan reporting bilateral trade reaching $1.3 billion in 2025, reflecting a 33% yearly growth. Both nations committed to increasing trade volume to $5 billion by 2030. The number of joint ventures has also grown sevenfold in recent years. Currently, there are 14 direct flights each week connecting the countries, and four Indian universities operate within Uzbekistan.
To enhance oversight of their commitments, officials agreed to establish a mechanism at the foreign ministers’ level. Additionally, a separate joint working group will address non-tariff measures and investment obstacles. Both nations plan to review further steps after completing a feasibility study for a Preferential Trade Agreement. Priority sectors include energy, metallurgy, electrical engineering, critical minerals, and agriculture, with healthcare, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, electronics, mechanical engineering, and jewellery also forming part of the economic agenda.
Expansion of cooperation across multiple fields through new agreements
During the visit, India and Uzbekistan signed 11 agreements, memoranda, and related arrangements spanning cultural exchanges, higher education, scientific research, environmental protection, and traditional medicine. The package also covers tourism, geology, mineral resources, archival cooperation, and economic dialogue. Gujarat state and Uzbekistan’s Samarkand region agreed to deepen regional collaborations. An arrangement was also reached on diplomatic training, while separate measures support archaeological preservation at the Fayaz Tepa and Kara Tepa Buddhist sites.
The visit also resulted in announcements concerning payments, education, and environmental cooperation. India committed $1 million for afforestation and ecological efforts in the Aral Sea region. It further announced 100 Lal Bahadur Shastri scholarships for Hindi language studies and established a Sanskrit academic chair in Tashkent. NPCI International Payments and Uzbekistan’s National Interbank Processing Centre formalized a commercial agreement involving UPI, enabling Indian UPI applications to scan Uzbekistan’s UZQR code for merchant transactions.
Focus on security cooperation and multilateral diplomacy remains a priority
Discussions between Modi and Mirziyoyev also covered defence, counterterrorism, and regional security issues. Both leaders condemned terrorism, including cross-border threats, and expressed support for stronger measures against financing networks and safe havens. They emphasized the importance of deeper cooperation in intelligence sharing, law enforcement, cyber threats, and organized crime. Notably, India and Uzbekistan continued military engagements, exemplified by the Dustlik exercise conducted in Uzbekistan’s Namangan region in April 2026. Both governments also endorsed increased coordination through regional and international organizations.
Uzbekistan reaffirmed its backing for India’s bid to obtain permanent membership of a reformed United Nations Security Council. The two nations agreed to enhance collaboration through the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and other multilateral platforms. During the visit, Mirziyoyev awarded Modi the Oliy Darajali Do’stlik Order, recognized as Uzbekistan’s highest state honour for foreign leaders. Modi extended an invitation for Mirziyoyev to visit India, with arrangements to be finalized via diplomatic channels.