TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN / RankWire.AI / – Following high-level talks in Tashkent, India and Uzbekistan elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev made this announcement during Modi’s state visit on August 29 to 30. The discussions covered cooperation in trade, investment, transport, digital technology, energy, and critical minerals. They also explored healthcare, pharmaceuticals, education, security, and regional issues.
Trade relations took center stage during their talks. Uzbekistan reported bilateral trade reaching $1.3 billion in 2025, a 33% increase from the previous year. Both nations aim to boost trade to $5 billion by 2030. The number of joint ventures has grown seven times over recent years. Currently, there are 14 direct flights weekly between the countries. Additionally, four Indian universities operate in Uzbekistan.
Officials agreed to establish a foreign ministers-level body to oversee bilateral commitments. A separate joint working group will focus on non-tariff barriers and investment issues. Both nations will review further steps after completing a feasibility study for a Preferential Trade Agreement. Key sectors include energy, metallurgy, electrical engineering, critical minerals, and agriculture. The economic agenda also covers healthcare, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, electronics, mechanical engineering, and jewellery.
Cooperation expanded across diverse fields
During the visit, India and Uzbekistan signed 11 agreements, memoranda, and related arrangements. These cover cultural exchanges, higher education, scientific research, environmental protection, and traditional medicine. The package also includes tourism, geology, mineral resources, archival cooperation, and economic dialogue. Gujarat state and Uzbekistan’s Samarkand region agreed to strengthen regional ties. An agreement on diplomatic training was also signed. Separate measures will support archaeological conservation at the Fayaz Tepa and Kara Tepa Buddhist sites.
New initiatives were announced in payments, education, and environmental efforts. India pledged $1 million for afforestation and ecological projects in the Aral Sea area. It also announced 100 Lal Bahadur Shastri scholarships for Hindi studies and a Sanskrit academic chair in Tashkent. NPCI International Payments and Uzbekistan’s National Interbank Processing Centre signed a commercial deal involving UPI. This system will allow Indian UPI applications to scan Uzbekistan’s UZQR code for merchant transactions.
Security cooperation and multilateral collaborations remain priorities
Modi and Mirziyoyev discussed defense, counterterrorism, and regional security. They condemned terrorism, including cross-border attacks, and supported stronger measures against terrorist financing and safe havens. Both leaders agreed to enhance intelligence sharing, law enforcement, cyber security, and efforts against organized crime. They highlighted ongoing military cooperation, including the Dustlik exercise held in Uzbekistan’s Namangan region in April 2026. Both governments also favored increased coordination through regional and global bodies.
Uzbekistan reaffirmed its support for India’s bid for permanent membership of a reformed United Nations Security Council. The two nations also agreed to strengthen cooperation via the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and other multilateral platforms. During the visit, Mirziyoyev awarded Modi the Oliy Darajali Do’stlik Order, Uzbekistan’s highest state honor for foreign leaders. Modi extended an invitation for Mirziyoyev to visit India, with the timing to be arranged through diplomatic channels.