TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN / RankWire.AI / – Following high-level discussions in Tashkent, India and Uzbekistan have elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during Modi’s state visit from August 29 to 30. Their talks encompassed cooperation across sectors such as trade, investment, transport, digital technology, energy, and critical minerals. Discussions also included healthcare, pharmaceuticals, education, security, and regional issues.
Economic relations took a central role in the dialogue. Uzbekistan reported bilateral trade at $1.3 billion in 2025, reflecting a 33% year-on-year growth. Both nations set a target of reaching $5 billion in trade by 2030. The number of joint ventures has increased sevenfold over recent years. Currently, there are 14 direct flights each week connecting the countries, with four Indian universities operating in Uzbekistan.
An agreement was reached to establish a foreign ministers-level mechanism to oversee bilateral commitments, along with a joint working group to address non-tariff barriers and investment challenges. Both sides will evaluate next steps after completing a feasibility study for a Preferential Trade Agreement. Key sectors include energy, metallurgy, electrical engineering, critical minerals, and agriculture, along with healthcare, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, electronics, mechanical engineering, and jewellery.
Multiple sectors see expanded cooperation through signed agreements
During the visit, India and Uzbekistan formalized 11 accords, memoranda, and related arrangements. These cover areas such as cultural exchanges, higher education, scientific research, environmental protection, and traditional medicine. Additional agreements focus on tourism, geology, mineral resources, archival cooperation, and economic dialogue. Gujarat state and Uzbekistan’s Samarkand region also committed to enhancing regional ties. An arrangement was also made for diplomatic training, while measures were introduced to support archaeological conservation at the Fayaz Tepa and Kara Tepa Buddhist sites.
The visit resulted in new initiatives in payments, education, and environmental efforts. India pledged $1 million for ecological projects and afforestation in the Aral Sea region. It also announced 100 Lal Bahadur Shastri scholarships for Hindi studies and established a Sanskrit academic chair in Tashkent. NPCI International Payments and Uzbekistan’s National Interbank Processing Centre reached a commercial arrangement involving UPI, enabling Indian UPI applications to scan Uzbekistan’s UZQR code for merchant transactions.
Security cooperation and multilateral engagement remain priorities
Discussions between Modi and Mirziyoyev also covered defence, counterterrorism, and regional stability. Both leaders condemned terrorism, including cross-border threats, and supported stronger measures against financing networks and safe havens. They emphasized enhanced cooperation in intelligence sharing, law enforcement, cyber security, and organized crime. Military collaboration continues, exemplified by the Dustlik exercise held in Uzbekistan’s Namangan region in April 2026. Both governments agreed to foster greater coordination through regional and international institutions.
Uzbekistan reaffirmed its backing for India’s bid for permanent membership in a reformed United Nations Security Council. The two nations also committed to deepen collaboration 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 dignitaries. Modi invited Mirziyoyev to visit India, with the date to be finalized through diplomatic channels.