India, Uzbekistan elevate ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

By Aroonim Bhuyan

New Delhi/Tashkent, August 30. India and Uzbekistan have agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, while identifying trade, investment, defence, critical minerals, nuclear energy, connectivity, digital technologies and healthcare as key areas for expanding cooperation.

The decision was taken during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Uzbekistan from August 29 to 30, at the invitation of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The two leaders held extensive discussions on bilateral, regional and international issues and agreed to strengthen political dialogue and practical cooperation.

According to a joint statement issued following the bilateral summit, a major outcome was the decision to establish a Foreign Ministers-led mechanism to provide high-level coordination and oversee implementation of agreements and priority projects between the two countries. The two sides also agreed to review and modernise their existing legal framework to bring it in line with contemporary bilateral priorities.

The leaders stressed the growing strategic importance of Central Asia and called for a free, open and rules-based international order amid a complex geopolitical environment.

Stronger security and defence cooperation

India and Uzbekistan reaffirmed their commitment to closer cooperation in counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing, law enforcement and combating violent extremism, drug trafficking, organised crime and cyber threats.

The two countries strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms, including cross-border terrorism, and called for concerted international action against terrorist organisations, their financing networks, safe havens and infrastructure.

The leaders also welcomed growing cooperation between their defence and security agencies through regular exchanges, institutional mechanisms, capacity building and joint activities.

They expressed satisfaction with the work of the Joint Working Group on Military Cooperation, including efforts to identify new opportunities in defence industrial cooperation. The two sides also welcomed the successful conduct of the Dustlik joint military exercise, the latest edition of which was held in Uzbekistan’s Namangan Region in April 2026.

India and Uzbekistan further agreed to strengthen cooperation under the Central Asia-India format and maintain regular consultations on regional developments.

Push to expand bilateral trade and investment

The two countries acknowledged considerable untapped potential in bilateral trade and investment and agreed to diversify the range of goods and services exchanged.

They decided to take joint measures to remove non-tariff barriers and promote industrial cooperation, while establishing a Joint Working Group on non-tariff issues and investment barriers.

The leaders also called for greater cooperation in e-commerce, digitalisation of trade procedures and the use of digital platforms to facilitate trade, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Uzbekistan welcomed India’s support for its accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), while both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, particularly in the interests of developing countries.

India and Uzbekistan agreed to promote manufacturing and export capabilities, strengthen regulatory cooperation and explore mutual recognition arrangements to facilitate market access.

The leaders also welcomed the outcomes of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation and the Uzbekistan-India Business Forums held in June and August 2026.

The two sides identified electrical goods, engineering products, automobiles and pharmaceuticals as sectors with considerable potential for greater business-to-business cooperation.

They also agreed to strengthen links between Indian and Uzbek companies and their value-added supply chains and explore new investment opportunities. Cooperation between Uzbekistan’s Investment Promotion Agency and Invest India will be expanded through business forums, roadshows and investment seminars.

The two leaders also directed their respective ministries to examine, within a time-bound framework, the next steps following the completion of the Joint Feasibility Study for an Uzbekistan-India Preferential Trade Agreement.

Critical minerals, uranium and nuclear energy

Resource security emerged as a major new area of India-Uzbekistan cooperation, with the leaders agreeing to explore collaboration in geology, mining, nuclear energy, industrial cooperation and critical and strategic minerals.

The two sides will examine joint projects covering geological exploration, mining, mineral processing, production of value-added products and recycling, with Indian companies being encouraged to participate in the development of prospective mineral deposits in Uzbekistan.

The agreement assumes particular significance against the backdrop of India’s efforts to diversify sources of critical minerals and strengthen supplies of nuclear fuel.

The two countries also expressed interest in expanding cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

The leaders agreed to develop joint critical mineral projects covering the entire value chain, from geological exploration and mining to processing and downstream production.

Connectivity gets renewed focus

India and Uzbekistan agreed to intensify efforts to improve transport and logistics connectivity through multimodal routes and logistics corridors.

They also expressed their intention to restore freight transportation links to reduce transportation costs and improve the movement of goods between the two countries.

Cooperation will also be expanded in road infrastructure, including exchanges of expertise in advanced road construction technologies and the exploration of joint projects for reconstruction and modernisation.

The two sides also agreed to examine cooperation in environmentally friendly and energy-efficient public transport solutions for Uzbekistan.

Digital, AI and space cooperation

Digital technologies and artificial intelligence were identified as emerging areas of strategic cooperation.

The leaders welcomed the successful operation of Tashkent’s first IT Park, established in 2019 with support based on India’s Software Technology Parks model. They agreed to expand cooperation among technology parks, companies, start-ups and educational institutions.

India and Uzbekistan will also strengthen cooperation on the development of safe, secure and trustworthy AI systems, including through exchanges of expertise and best practices.

The two sides agreed to expand practical cooperation in the peaceful uses and exploration of outer space, including space applications, scientific data sharing, joint workshops and training programmes.

Agriculture and food security

The two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in agriculture and food security, including the development of agricultural value chains and enhancement of export capabilities.

The partnership will focus on innovation and resource-efficient technologies, agricultural research and exchanges in agricultural science.

India and Uzbekistan will also facilitate bilateral trade in agricultural products and encourage cooperation between research institutions and enterprises to raise agricultural productivity and promote the sustainable use of plant genetic resources.

Healthcare and pharmaceuticals

Healthcare and pharmaceuticals are emerging as another important pillar of the bilateral partnership.

The leaders agreed to expand cooperation in public health systems, biomedical research and medical innovation, with the two countries seeking to leverage their respective strengths to develop new treatments and therapies.

They also highlighted the potential of the Tashkent Pharma Park Innovative Scientific and Industrial Pharmaceutical Cluster to attract Indian investment, establish modern manufacturing facilities, facilitate technology transfer and develop skilled manpower.

The two sides supported the establishment of new medical centres, laboratories, research institutions and joint pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities in Uzbekistan in cooperation with Indian companies.

Education and capacity building

The two leaders welcomed the contribution of Indian students to people-to-people ties and supported the expansion of India studies in Uzbekistan and Uzbek studies in India.

India and Uzbekistan also agreed to strengthen cooperation in human resource development through joint research and academic programmes.

The statement noted India’s long-standing role in capacity building in Uzbekistan. More than 2,700 Uzbek nationals have participated in the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, while more than 400 Uzbek students have received ICCR scholarships, including those under the AYUSH programme.

Uzbekistan welcomed India’s announcement of the Lal Bahadur Shastri Scholarship for Hindi Language in Uzbekistan.

India to support greening of Aral Sea region

In a significant environmental initiative, India and Uzbekistan agreed to cooperate in the greening and ecological rehabilitation of the Aral Sea region.

India will provide $1 million in assistance, including technical support, under its grant-in-aid framework.

The initiative draws on similarities between Uzbekistan’s ‘Yashil Makon’ campaign and India’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative, with both countries expressing a shared commitment to environmental sustainability and creating a healthier planet for future generations.

Cultural and heritage cooperation

The two sides agreed to expand cultural and humanitarian exchanges through cultural festivals, exhibitions, artistic performances and stronger institutional links.

The leaders welcomed the signing of a Cultural Exchange Programme for 2026-2030 and cooperation in the field of archives.

They also agreed to expand cooperation in preserving and restoring World Heritage sites, including through digital technologies and 3D modelling of archaeological artefacts.

India and Uzbekistan welcomed a letter of intent on the conservation and restoration of the ancient Buddhist sites of Fayaz Tepa and Karatepa.

The two countries will also expand sports cooperation, particularly in badminton, archery and chess, while continuing collaboration in yoga and traditional medicine.

Backing each other in international forums

India and Uzbekistan reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation at the United Nations and other international and regional organisations.

The two leaders called for comprehensive UN reform, including expansion of the Security Council to make it more representative and effective.

Uzbekistan reiterated its support for India’s candidature for permanent membership of the UN Security Council.

The two countries also agreed to strengthen coordination in international forums in support of the interests of the Global South.

They reaffirmed their commitment to deeper cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, particularly in trade, investment, security and cultural exchanges.

Mirziyoyev congratulated Modi on India’s BRICS chairship in 2026 and wished India success in hosting the BRICS Summit.

Modi, in turn, expressed confidence in Uzbekistan’s successful chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement for 2027-2030 and reaffirmed India’s support for the grouping.

The two sides also discussed the International Big Cat Alliance and International Solar Alliance, with Uzbekistan expressing interest in joining both frameworks.

Modi thanked Mirziyoyev and the Uzbek government and people for their hospitality and invited the Uzbek President to make a return visit to India, with dates to be decided through diplomatic channels.