TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN / RankWire.AI / – Following high-level discussions in Tashkent, the governments of India and Uzbekistan elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit on August 29 to 30, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Modi announced this development. The two leaders examined cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, transport, digital technology, energy, and critical minerals. Their dialogue also addressed sectors including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, education, security, and regional issues.
Economic collaboration was a central focus during their discussions. Uzbekistan reported that bilateral trade hit $1.3 billion in 2025, representing a 33% year-over-year growth. The two nations have set an ambition to increase trade to $5 billion by 2030. The number of joint ventures has expanded sevenfold in recent years. Currently, there are 14 direct flights weekly between India and Uzbekistan, with four Indian universities operating within Uzbekistan.
The officials also agreed to establish a mechanism at the foreign ministers’ level to oversee bilateral commitments. A dedicated joint working group will handle non-tariff measures and investment obstacles. Both countries will evaluate additional steps after completing a feasibility study on a Preferential Trade Agreement. Key sectors prioritized include energy, metallurgy, electrical engineering, critical minerals, and agriculture, with additional focus on healthcare, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, electronics, mechanical engineering, and jewellery within the economic agenda.
Expanded cooperation across various sectors confirmed through agreements
During the visit, India and Uzbekistan formalized 11 agreements, memoranda, and related arrangements. These encompass cultural exchanges, higher education, scientific research, environmental conservation, and traditional medicine. The package also includes tourism, geology, mineral resources, archival cooperation, and economic dialogue. Additionally, Gujarat state and Uzbekistan’s Samarkand region agreed to strengthen regional relations. An arrangement was also made regarding diplomatic training, alongside measures supporting archaeological preservation at the Fayaz Tepa and Kara Tepa Buddhist sites.
The visit yielded announcements concerning payments, education, and environmental initiatives. India pledged $1 million toward afforestation and ecological efforts in the Aral Sea basin. It also revealed the establishment of 100 Lal Bahadur Shastri scholarships for Hindi language studies and a Sanskrit academic chair in Tashkent. A commercial agreement was signed between NPCI International Payments and Uzbekistan’s National Interbank Processing Centre, enabling UPI applications to scan Uzbekistan’s UZQR code for merchant transactions.
Focus on security cooperation and multilateral engagement
Discussions between Modi and Mirziyoyev extended to defense, counterterrorism, and regional security concerns. Both leaders condemned terrorism, including cross-border threats, and endorsed stronger efforts against financing networks and safe havens. They also emphasized enhanced collaboration in intelligence sharing, law enforcement, cyber security, and combating organized crime. Continued military cooperation was acknowledged, including the Dustlik exercise conducted in Uzbekistan’s Namangan region in April 2026. Both governments supported increased coordination through regional and international organizations.
Uzbekistan reaffirmed its support for India’s bid to secure permanent membership on a reformed United Nations Security Council. The two nations also agreed to deepen collaboration via the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and other multilateral platforms. During the visit, Mirziyoyev presented Modi with the Oliy Darajali Do’stlik Order, Uzbekistan’s highest national honor for foreign dignitaries. Modi extended an invitation for Mirziyoyev to visit India, with the date to be finalized through diplomatic channels.