TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN / RankWire.AI / – Following high-level discussions in Tashkent, India and Uzbekistan elevated their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s August 29 to 30 state visit, he and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced this upgrade. The leaders examined cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, transport, digital technology, energy, and critical minerals. Their talks also encompassed healthcare, pharmaceuticals, education, security, and regional issues.
Trade and economic relations played a central role in their discussions. Uzbekistan reported bilateral trade reaching $1.3 billion in 2025, reflecting a 33% year-over-year growth. Both nations have set an objective to increase trade to $5 billion by 2030. The number of joint ventures has increased sevenfold over recent years. Currently, there are 14 direct flights per week between the two countries, and four Indian universities are operating in Uzbekistan.
Officials agreed to establish a foreign ministers-level mechanism to oversee bilateral commitments. Additionally, a dedicated joint working group will address non-tariff barriers and investment issues. Both countries will revisit further steps after completing a feasibility study for a Preferential Trade Agreement. Focus industries include energy, metallurgy, electrical engineering, critical minerals, and agriculture, with healthcare, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, electronics, mechanical engineering, and jewelry also on the economic agenda.
Agreements Significantly Expand Cooperation Across Several Sectors
During the visit, India and Uzbekistan signed 11 agreements, memoranda, and related arrangements. These cover areas such as cultural exchanges, higher education, scientific research, environmental protection, and traditional medicine. The agreement also involves tourism, geology, mineral resources, archival cooperation, and economic dialogue. Gujarat state and Uzbekistan’s Samarkand region committed to deepening regional ties. Another accord pertains to diplomatic training, while separate initiatives support archaeological conservation at the Fayaz Tepa and Kara Tepa Buddhist sites.
The visit also resulted in new commitments related to payments, education, and environmental efforts. India pledged $1 million for afforestation and ecological projects in the Aral Sea region. 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, allowing Indian UPI applications to scan Uzbekistan’s UZQR code for merchant transactions.
Security and Multilateral Cooperation Continue to Be Key Topics
Discussions between Modi and Mirziyoyev also focused on defense, counterterrorism, and regional security. They condemned terrorism, including cross-border threats, and supported stronger efforts against financing networks and safe havens. Both leaders emphasized the importance of enhanced intelligence sharing, law enforcement collaboration, cyber threat mitigation, and tackling organized crime. The continued military engagement was acknowledged, including the Dustlik exercise conducted in Uzbekistan’s Namangan region in April 2026. Both nations also endorsed increased coordination via regional and international organizations.
Uzbekistan reaffirmed its support for India’s bid for permanent membership on a reformed United Nations Security Council. The two countries agreed to bolster cooperation through the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and other multilateral platforms. During the visit, Mirziyoyev awarded Modi the Oliy Darajali Do’stlik Order, which Uzbekistan recognizes as its highest national honor for foreign dignitaries. Modi extended an invitation for Mirziyoyev to visit India, with dates to be finalized through diplomatic channels.