TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN / RankWire.AI / – India and Uzbekistan officially upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on Sunday, with an emphasis on broadening collaboration in key economic and security sectors. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev made the announcement following discussions at the Kuksaroy Residence in Tashkent. The leaders discussed various areas 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, upon Mirziyoyev’s invitation.
Trade and economic cooperation played a significant role during the talks. According to the Uzbek government, bilateral trade reached $1.3 billion in 2025, reflecting a 33% increase. Both nations have set a goal to boost their annual trade volume to $5 billion by 2030. The number of joint ventures has grown sevenfold in recent years. Additionally, India and Uzbekistan each operate 14 direct flights weekly, and four Indian universities are currently functioning within Uzbekistan. Leaders emphasized the importance of expanding industrial and business connections further.
Agreements were made to create a mechanism involving foreign ministers to oversee the implementation of bilateral accords. Plans also include establishing a joint working group to address non-tariff barriers and investment issues. Officials will analyze additional steps after completing a feasibility study for an India-Uzbekistan Preferential Trade Agreement. The leaders identified sectors like energy, electrical engineering, metallurgy, critical minerals, and agriculture as priorities. Discussions also covered healthcare, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, electronics, mechanical engineering, and jewellery within the economic agenda.
Major accords aim to deepen cooperation across vital sectors
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 conservation, traditional medicine, tourism, geology, and mineral resources. The package also includes cooperation on archival projects and an economic and financial dialogue. An agreement was also reached to connect Gujarat state with Uzbekistan’s Samarkand region. Additionally, the two nations approved initiatives for diplomatic training and measures concerning archaeological research and preservation at the Fayaz Tepa and Kara Tepa Buddhist sites.
Further announcements were made during the visit, covering payments, education, and environmental initiatives. India pledged a $1 million grant for reforestation efforts in the Aral Sea region. It also revealed plans for 100 Lal Bahadur Shastri scholarships aimed at studying Hindi, as well as establishing 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 focal points
The discussions between Modi and Mirziyoyev also covered defense, counterterrorism, and regional security collaboration. The leaders condemned terrorism, including cross-border threats, and called for action against financing networks, safe havens, and supporting infrastructure. They supported enhanced cooperation in law enforcement, intelligence sharing, cyber security, and organized crime prevention. The ongoing military cooperation between India and Uzbekistan was also highlighted. Their latest joint military exercise, Dustlik, took place in Uzbekistan’s Namangan region in April 2026. Both sides expressed support for continued engagement through regional and international organizations.
Uzbekistan reaffirmed its backing for India’s bid for permanent membership in a reformed United Nations Security Council. The two nations also agreed to strengthen coordination through the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and other multilateral platforms. During the visit, Mirziyoyev awarded Modi the Oliy Darajali Do’stlik Order, which Uzbekistan regards as its highest state honour for foreign leaders. Modi, in turn, invited Mirziyoyev to visit India, with arrangements to be finalized through diplomatic channels.