TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN / RankWire.AI / – On Sunday, India and Uzbekistan formalized their relationship by elevating it to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, broadening collaboration in key economic and security fields. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev made the announcement after discussions at the Kuksaroy Residence in Tashkent. The leaders examined aspects including trade, investment, transport, digital technology, energy, critical minerals, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and education. Modi’s visit to Uzbekistan took place from August 29 to 30, following an invitation extended by Mirziyoyev.
At the heart of the conversations was economic cooperation. According to the Uzbek government, bilateral trade hit $1.3 billion in 2025, reflecting a 33% increase. Both nations set an ambitious goal of boosting annual trade to $5 billion by 2030. The volume of joint ventures has seen a sevenfold increase recently. Additionally, India and Uzbekistan operate 14 direct flights each week, and four Indian universities are active in Uzbekistan. The leaders emphasized the need to expand industrial and commercial links further.
A consensus was reached to form a mechanism at the foreign ministers’ level to oversee the implementation of bilateral agreements. Plans are also underway for a joint working group to address non-tariff barriers and investment issues. Officials will evaluate further steps after completing a feasibility study for an India-Uzbekistan Preferential Trade Agreement. Among the sectors identified as priorities are energy, electrical engineering, metallurgy, critical minerals, and agriculture. Discussions also covered healthcare, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, electronics, mechanical engineering, and jewelry as vital economic areas.
Strategic sectors see expansion through new agreements
During the state visit, India and Uzbekistan signed 11 agreements, memoranda, and related arrangements. These encompass areas such as culture, higher education, scientific research, environmental protection, traditional medicine, tourism, geology, and mineral resources. Additionally, cooperation in archival work and economic and financial dialogue was formalized. One notable agreement links Gujarat state with Uzbekistan’s Samarkand region. Both sides also agreed to collaborate on diplomatic training and take measures related to archaeological research and conservation at the Fayaz Tepa and Kara Tepa Buddhist sites.
Beyond these accords, several other initiatives were announced, focusing on payments, education, and environmental efforts. India pledged a $1 million grant for planting trees in the Aral Sea region. It also announced 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 signed a commercial deal involving UPI, enabling Indian UPI applications to scan Uzbekistan’s UZQR system for merchant payments.
Defense and multilateral relations continue to be a priority
In their discussions, Modi and Mirziyoyev addressed issues related to defense, counterterrorism, and regional security cooperation. The leaders condemned terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, and advocated measures against financing networks, safe havens, and supporting infrastructure. They endorsed increased cooperation in law enforcement, intelligence sharing, cybersecurity, and organized crime. Both nations highlighted their ongoing military collaboration, with their latest joint Dustlik military exercise taking place in Uzbekistan’s Namangan region in April 2026. They also agreed to sustain engagement through regional and international organizations.
Uzbekistan reaffirmed its support for India’s bid for permanent membership of a reformed United Nations Security Council. The two countries committed to enhancing coordination within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and other multilateral platforms. During the visit, Mirziyoyev conferred the Oliy Darajali Do’stlik Order on Modi, which Uzbekistan considers its highest state honor for foreign leaders. Modi extended an invitation to Mirziyoyev to visit India, with scheduling to be finalized through diplomatic channels.