TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN / RankWire.AI / – Following high-level discussions in Tashkent, India and Uzbekistan elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev made the announcement during Modi’s official visit from August 29 to 30. The leaders examined cooperation across multiple sectors including trade, investment, transport, digital innovations, energy, and critical minerals. Discussions also encompassed healthcare, pharmaceuticals, education, security, and regional stability.
Economic relations took center stage in the bilateral talks. Uzbekistan reported that trade between the two nations reached $1.3 billion in 2025, representing a growth of 33% year-over-year. Both countries have committed to increasing bilateral trade to $5 billion by 2030. Additionally, the number of joint ventures has increased sevenfold in recent years. Currently, there are 14 direct flights each week connecting the countries, while four Indian universities have established campuses in Uzbekistan.
Delegates also agreed to establish a mechanism at the foreign ministers’ level to oversee bilateral commitments. A dedicated joint working group will focus on addressing non-tariff barriers and investment hurdles. Both nations will evaluate next steps after completing a feasibility study for a Preferential Trade Agreement, prioritizing industries such as energy, metallurgy, electrical engineering, critical minerals, and agriculture. The economic agenda also includes sectors like healthcare, pharmaceuticals, automotive, electronics, mechanical engineering, and jewellery.
Multiple sectors see enhanced collaboration through new agreements
During the visit, India and Uzbekistan formalized their expanded cooperation through 11 agreements, memoranda, and related arrangements. These cover areas including cultural exchanges, higher education, scientific collaboration, environmental preservation, and traditional medicine. Additional agreements focus on tourism development, geology, mineral resources, archival cooperation, and economic dialogue. Gujarat state and Uzbekistan’s Samarkand region also reached an understanding to deepen regional engagement. An agreement was also signed to enhance diplomatic training, while separate initiatives aim to preserve archaeological sites at Fayaz Tepa and Kara Tepa, notable Buddhist heritage locations.
In addition to cultural and diplomatic accords, the visit yielded announcements in payments, education, and environmental projects. India pledged $1 million for forestry and ecological efforts in the Aral Sea region. It also revealed plans to offer 100 Lal Bahadur Shastri scholarships for Hindi language studies and to establish a Sanskrit academic chair in Tashkent. Furthermore, NPCI International Payments and Uzbekistan’s National Interbank Processing Centre sealed a commercial deal involving UPI. This integration will allow Indian UPI applications to scan Uzbekistan’s national UZQR code for merchant transactions, facilitating cross-border payments.
Security cooperation and multilateral collaboration remain priorities
Discussions between Modi and Mirziyoyev also addressed issues related to defense, counterterrorism, and regional security. The leaders condemned terrorism in all forms, including cross-border threats, and emphasized the need for stronger measures against terrorist financing networks and safe havens. They advocated for increased cooperation on intelligence sharing, law enforcement, cyber security, and organized crime. Both nations highlighted ongoing military cooperation, citing the Dustlik exercise conducted in Uzbekistan’s Namangan region in April 2026. Additionally, they supported broader coordination efforts through regional and international organizations.
Uzbekistan reaffirmed its backing for India’s application for a permanent seat on a reformed United Nations Security Council. Both countries agreed to enhance their coordination within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and other multilateral platforms. During the visit, Mirziyoyev conferred Modi with the Oliy Darajali Do’stlik Order, Uzbekistan’s highest state award for foreign dignitaries. Modi extended an invitation to Mirziyoyev to visit India, with the exact timing to be coordinated through diplomatic channels.