TASHKENT: India and Uzbekistan on Sunday decided to elevate their bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and agreed to establish a framework for the long-term supply of Uranium, following high-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
The bilateral discussions focused on expanding cooperation across key sectors including trade, investment, infrastructure, critical minerals, mining, defence and security, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, information technology, digital public infrastructure including UPI, and education.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two nations set an ambitious target of reaching USD 5 billion in annual bilateral trade by 2030. Currently, the annual trade volume between both countries stands at over USD 1 billion.
The MEA noted that the decision to upgrade the partnership reflects the growing depth and expanding scope of bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
Both leaders witnessed the exchange of multiple agreements spanning various sectors such as mining, culture, education, tourism, and Ayurveda. Additionally, a Letter of Intent was signed for the restoration and conservation of the historical Buddhist sites of Fayaz Tepa and Kara Tepa in Uzbekistan.
PM Modi arrived in Tashkent on Saturday for a two-day state visit aimed at strengthening ties with Uzbekistan in multiple key areas, particularly clean energy. India has been actively seeking to secure Uranium from Uzbekistan for its civilian nuclear energy programs.
“We are celebrating the 15th anniversary of our strategic partnership. I am delighted that, on this special occasion, we are elevating our ties to the level of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” PM Modi stated during his opening remarks at the bilateral talks.
“We will move forward by setting concrete goals within this framework,” the Prime Minister added.
PM Modi also made a special mention of the “productive discussions” held with the Uzbek President over dinner the previous evening, noting that several key decisions were finalized.
“We will establish a Coordination Council at the level of foreign ministers to provide direction to all aspects of our cooperation through close coordination,” the Prime Minister announced.
He further stated that both nations would elevate the existing joint commission from the level of secretaries to the ministerial level.
“Both sides will jointly organise a business summit featuring business leaders from both nations,” PM Modi said.
“We will also establish a long-term arrangement for the supply of uranium,” PM Modi highlighted.
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