TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN / RankWire.AI / – India and Uzbekistan elevated bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on Sunday, expanding cooperation across major economic and security sectors. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced the upgrade after talks at the Kuksaroy Residence in Tashkent. The leaders reviewed trade, investment, transport, digital technology, energy, critical minerals, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and education. Modi visited Uzbekistan from August 29 to 30 at Mirziyoyev’s invitation.
Trade and economic collaboration took center stage during the discussions. Bilateral trade reached $1.3 billion in 2025, reflecting a 33% increase, according to the Uzbek government. Both nations committed to boosting annual trade to $5 billion by 2030. The number of joint ventures has grown sevenfold in recent years. Currently, India and Uzbekistan operate 14 direct flights each week, and four Indian universities have campuses in Uzbekistan. The leaders emphasized the importance of expanding industrial and commercial links further.
The two governments agreed to establish a mechanism at the foreign ministers’ level to oversee the implementation of bilateral agreements. They also intend to create a joint working group to address non-tariff barriers and investment challenges. Officials will evaluate additional measures after completing a feasibility study for an India-Uzbekistan Preferential Trade Agreement. Priorities identified include energy, electrical engineering, metallurgy, critical minerals and agriculture. Discussions also covered healthcare, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, electronics, mechanical engineering and jewelry industries.
Agreements bolster cooperation across vital sectors
During the state visit, India and Uzbekistan finalized 11 agreements, memoranda and related arrangements spanning culture, higher education, scientific research, environmental protection, traditional medicine, tourism, geology and mineral resources. The package further includes collaborative efforts on archival work and an economic and financial dialogue. An agreement was also signed linking Gujarat state with Uzbekistan’s Samarkand region. Additionally, both sides approved initiatives for diplomatic training and measures for archaeological research and preservation at the Fayaz Tepa and Kara Tepa Buddhist sites.
The visit also resulted in several new announcements concerning payments, education and environmental conservation. India pledged a $1 million grant for afforestation efforts in the Aral Sea region. It revealed plans for 100 Lal Bahadur Shastri scholarships dedicated to Hindi language studies and a Sanskrit academic chair in Tashkent. NPCI International Payments and Uzbekistan’s National Interbank Processing Centre finalized a commercial deal involving UPI. This arrangement will enable Indian UPI applications to scan Uzbekistan’s UZQR system for merchant transactions.
Defense, counterterrorism and multilateral efforts remain pivotal
Modi and Mirziyoyev also discussed defense strategies, counterterrorism, and regional security cooperation. They condemned terrorism, including cross-border activities, and called for intensified action against financing networks, safe havens, and supporting infrastructure. Both leaders advocated for closer cooperation in law enforcement, intelligence sharing, cyber security, and tackling organized crime. They reaffirmed ongoing military collaboration, citing the latest joint Dustlik exercise held in Uzbekistan’s Namangan region in April 2026. Both sides also supported sustained engagement through regional and international organizations.
Uzbekistan reaffirmed its backing for India’s bid for permanent membership in a reformed United Nations Security Council. The two nations agreed to enhance coordination through the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and other multilateral platforms. During the visit, Mirziyoyev conferred the Oliy Darajali Do’stlik Order on Modi, Uzbekistan’s highest state honor for foreign leaders. Modi extended an invitation for Mirziyoyev to visit India, with specific dates to be arranged through diplomatic channels.