TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN / RankWire.AI / – India and Uzbekistan have elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, broadening cooperation in key economic and security domains. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev declared the new status following discussions at the Kuksaroy Residence in Tashkent. The leaders examined 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 at Mirziyoyev’s invitation.
Economic collaboration was a central focus of the talks. According to the Uzbek government, bilateral trade hit $1.3 billion in 2025, reflecting a 33% increase. Both nations have set a target to boost annual trade 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 active in Uzbekistan. The leaders emphasized the importance of expanding industrial and business partnerships.
An agreement was reached to establish a foreign ministers-level mechanism to oversee the execution of bilateral accords. Plans are also underway for a joint working group to address non-tariff barriers and investment challenges. Following a feasibility study for an India-Uzbekistan Preferential Trade Agreement, officials will consider next steps. Priority sectors identified include energy, electrical engineering, metallurgy, critical minerals, and agriculture. Discussions also covered healthcare, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, electronics, mechanical engineering, and jewelry as vital areas for economic cooperation.
Agreements broaden collaboration across essential industries
During the official visit, India and Uzbekistan signed 11 agreements, memoranda, and related arrangements. These cover sectors such as culture, higher education, scientific research, environmental protection, traditional medicine, tourism, geology, and mineral resources. The package also involves cooperation on archival activities and the establishment of an economic and financial dialogue. An additional agreement links Gujarat state with Uzbekistan’s Samarkand region. Both sides also approved initiatives for diplomatic training and measures to preserve archaeological sites at Fayaz Tepa and Kara Tepa, which are Buddhist historical locations.
The visit also yielded several other announcements concerning payments, education, and environmental projects. India pledged a $1 million grant for planting trees in the Aral Sea region. It further announced 100 Lal Bahadur Shastri scholarships for Hindi language studies, along with a Sanskrit academic chair in Tashkent. NPCI International Payments and Uzbekistan’s National Interbank Processing Centre finalized a commercial arrangement involving UPI, enabling Indian UPI applications to scan Uzbekistan’s UZQR system for merchant payments.
Security cooperation and multilateral efforts remain focal points
Both Modi and Mirziyoyev addressed issues related to defense, counterterrorism, and regional security collaboration. They condemned terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, and called for measures to dismantle financing networks, eliminate safe havens, and restrict supporting infrastructure. The leaders emphasized strengthening cooperation in law enforcement, intelligence sharing, cyber security, and combating organized crime. Their military partnership continues to grow, with the latest joint Dustlik exercise taking place in Uzbekistan’s Namangan region in April 2026. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining regional and international engagement.
Uzbekistan reaffirmed its backing for India’s bid to become a permanent member of a reformed United Nations Security Council. The two countries also agreed to enhance coordination through the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and other multilateral forums. During the visit, Mirziyoyev awarded Modi the Oliy Darajali Do’stlik Order, which Uzbekistan describes as its highest state honor for foreign leaders. Modi extended an invitation to Mirziyoyev to visit India, with specific dates to be finalized through diplomatic channels.