TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN / RankWire.AI / – On Sunday, India and Uzbekistan elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, broadening collaboration in key economic and security domains. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev made the announcement following discussions at the Kuksaroy Residence in Tashkent. Their talks covered areas including trade, investment, transport, digital technology, energy, critical minerals, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and education. Modi’s visit to Uzbekistan, from August 29 to 30, was at Mirziyoyev’s invitation.
Trade and economic cooperation played a central role in the discussions. According to the Uzbek government, bilateral trade reached $1.3 billion in 2025, representing a 33% increase. Both nations set a goal to boost annual trade to $5 billion by 2030. The number of joint ventures has grown seven times in recent years. Currently, India and Uzbekistan operate 14 direct flights each week, and four Indian universities are active in Uzbekistan. The leaders emphasized the importance of expanding industrial and commercial links.
The two governments agreed to create a mechanism at the foreign ministers’ level to oversee the implementation of bilateral agreements. They also plan to establish a joint working group focused on non-tariff barriers and investment obstacles. Further steps will be considered after the completion of a feasibility study for an India-Uzbekistan Preferential Trade Agreement. Energy, electrical engineering, metallurgy, critical minerals, and agriculture were identified as priority sectors, along with healthcare, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, electronics, mechanical engineering, and jewelry in the economic dialogue.
Expansion of cooperation across strategic sectors
During the state visit, India and Uzbekistan signed 11 agreements, memoranda, and related arrangements that span culture, higher education, scientific research, environmental protection, traditional medicine, tourism, geology, and mineral resources. The package also includes cooperation on archival work and an economic and financial dialogue. An additional agreement linked Gujarat state with Uzbekistan’s Samarkand region. The two sides approved initiatives for diplomatic training and measures concerning archaeological research and preservation at the Fayaz Tepa and Kara Tepa Buddhist sites.
The visit also led to several other announcements related to payments, education, and environmental initiatives. India pledged a $1 million grant for planting trees in the Aral Sea region. It further revealed 100 Lal Bahadur Shastri scholarships for Hindi language studies and the establishment of 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 transactions.
Security cooperation and multilateral efforts remain pivotal
Addressing defense, counterterrorism, and regional security cooperation, Modi and Mirziyoyev condemned terrorism, including cross-border threats, and urged action against financing networks, safe havens, and supporting infrastructure. They advocated for enhanced cooperation in law enforcement, intelligence sharing, cyber security, and organized crime. Their military cooperation continues to strengthen; their latest joint Dustlik military exercise took place in Uzbekistan’s Namangan region in April 2026. Both nations also committed to ongoing 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 agreed to deepen 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 honour for foreign leaders. Modi extended an invitation to Mirziyoyev for a visit to India, with dates to be finalized through diplomatic channels.