TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN / RankWire.AI / – Following high-level discussions in Tashkent, India and Uzbekistan elevated their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced this enhancement during Modi’s state visit on August 29 to 30. The leaders examined cooperation across sectors such as trade, investment, transport, digital technology, energy, and critical minerals. Their discussions also encompassed healthcare, pharmaceuticals, education, security, and regional matters.
Economic collaboration took center stage in their talks. Uzbekistan reported bilateral trade reaching $1.3 billion in 2025, indicating a 33% yearly growth. The two nations aim to increase trade to $5 billion by 2030. Additionally, the number of joint ventures has surged sevenfold over recent years. Currently, there are 14 direct flights weekly between India and Uzbekistan, and four Indian universities operate within Uzbekistan.
Both parties agreed to establish a foreign ministers-level mechanism dedicated to overseeing bilateral commitments. A specialized joint working group will focus on non-tariff barriers and investment obstacles. They also agreed to review future steps after a feasibility assessment for a Preferential Trade Agreement. Industries highlighted for priority include energy, metallurgy, electrical engineering, critical minerals, and agriculture. The economic agenda also incorporates healthcare, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, electronics, mechanical engineering, and jewellery.
Expanding cooperation across multiple domains through agreements
During the visit, India and Uzbekistan signed a total of 11 agreements, memoranda, and related arrangements. These cover areas such as cultural exchanges, higher education, scientific research, environmental protection, and traditional medicine. Additionally, agreements addressed tourism, geology, mineral resources, archival cooperation, and economic dialogue. Gujarat state and Uzbekistan’s Samarkand region committed to strengthening regional collaboration. An arrangement also focuses on diplomatic training, while specific measures support archaeological conservation efforts at the Fayaz Tepa and Kara Tepa Buddhist sites.
The visit led to announcements related to payments, education, and environmental initiatives. India pledged $1 million for afforestation and ecological projects in the Aral Sea region. It also unveiled 100 Lal Bahadur Shastri scholarships for Hindi language studies and a Sanskrit academic chair in Tashkent. NPCI International Payments and Uzbekistan’s National Interbank Processing Centre entered into a commercial agreement involving UPI, enabling Indian UPI applications to scan Uzbekistan’s UZQR code for merchant transactions.
Security cooperation and multilateral engagement continue to be priorities
Discussions between Modi and Mirziyoyev also covered defence, counterterrorism, and regional security issues. The leaders condemned terrorism, including cross-border threats, and advocated stronger measures against financing networks and safe havens. They also supported increased cooperation in intelligence sharing, law enforcement, cyber security, and combatting organized crime. The leaders highlighted ongoing military collaborations, including the Dustlik exercise held in Uzbekistan’s Namangan region in April 2026. Both governments emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts within regional and international organizations.
Uzbekistan reaffirmed its backing for India’s bid to gain permanent membership of a reformed United Nations Security Council. The two nations agreed to enhance their coordination through the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and other multilateral platforms. During the visit, Mirziyoyev conferred the Oliy Darajali Do’stlik Order on Modi, Uzbekistan’s highest state honor for foreign dignitaries. Modi extended an invitation to Mirziyoyev for a visit to India, with the timing to be arranged through diplomatic channels.