TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN / RankWire.AI / – On Sunday, India and Uzbekistan upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, broadening collaboration in key economic and security areas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced this enhancement following discussions at the Kuksaroy Residence in Tashkent. The leaders evaluated trade, investment, transport, digital technologies, energy, critical minerals, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and education. Modi’s visit to Uzbekistan from August 29 to 30 was at Mirziyoyev’s invitation.
Economic cooperation was a central focus of the talks, with bilateral trade reaching $1.3 billion in 2025, marking a 33% increase according to the Uzbek government. Both nations set a goal to boost annual trade to $5 billion by 2030, while the number of joint ventures has grown sevenfold in recent years. Currently, India and Uzbekistan have 14 direct flights each week, and four Indian universities operate within Uzbekistan. Leaders emphasized the need for expanded industrial and commercial links.
An agreement was reached to establish a foreign ministers-level mechanism aimed at coordinating the implementation of bilateral accords. Additionally, plans are underway for a joint working group to address non-tariff barriers and investment obstacles. Officials will explore further steps after completing a feasibility study for an India-Uzbekistan Preferential Trade Agreement. The leaders prioritized sectors such as energy, electrical engineering, metallurgy, critical minerals, and agriculture, while also highlighting healthcare, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, electronics, mechanical engineering, and jewelry during economic discussions.
Cooperation expanded across vital sectors through new agreements
During the state visit, India and Uzbekistan signed 11 agreements, memoranda, and related arrangements covering culture, higher education, scientific research, environmental protection, traditional medicine, tourism, geology, and mineral resources. The package also facilitates cooperation on archival projects and promotes economic and financial dialogue. An agreement linking Gujarat state with Uzbekistan’s Samarkand region was also finalized. Both nations approved measures to enhance diplomatic training and support archaeological research and conservation efforts at the Fayaz Tepa and Kara Tepa Buddhist sites.
The visit also resulted in additional announcements related to payments, education, and environmental initiatives. India pledged a $1 million grant for forest restoration in the Aral Sea region and announced 100 Lal Bahadur Shastri scholarships for Hindi language studies along with establishing a Sanskrit academic chair in Tashkent. NPCI International Payments and Uzbekistan’s National Interbank Processing Centre signed a commercial deal involving UPI, which will enable Indian UPI applications to scan Uzbekistan’s UZQR system for merchant transactions.
Focus on security and multilateral engagement persists
Discussions between Modi and Mirziyoyev also encompassed defence, counterterrorism, and regional security cooperation. The leaders condemned terrorism, including cross-border threats, and called for measures against financing networks, safe havens, and supporting infrastructure. They expressed support for enhanced collaboration in law enforcement, intelligence sharing, cyber threats, and organized crime. Their military cooperation continues, with the latest joint Dustlik exercise taking place in Uzbekistan’s Namangan region in April 2026. Both nations also agreed to maintain engagement through regional and international organizations.
Uzbekistan reaffirmed its backing for India’s bid for permanent membership of a reformed United Nations Security Council, and the two countries committed to strengthening coordination within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and other multilateral forums. During the visit, Mirziyoyev awarded Modi the Oliy Darajali Do’stlik Order, Uzbekistan’s highest state honor for foreign leaders. Modi extended an invitation to Mirziyoyev to visit India, with dates to be finalized through diplomatic channels.