India-Uzbekistan Elevate Ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
By Business Desk
India and Uzbekistan elevate bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in Tashkent, focusing on economic, strategic, and technological cooperation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev recently elevated the relationship between their nations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during delegation-level talks in Tashkent. This significant step includes concrete targets for future collaboration across various sectors.
During their meeting, President Mirziyoyev honored Prime Minister Modi with Uzbekistan’s highest state honour, the Oliy Darajali Dustlik, signifying the deepening bond between the two countries.
Expanding Areas of Cooperation
Both leaders emphasized the advancement of economic cooperation through identified projects with specific timelines. Their discussions outlined broad areas for future engagement, focusing on strategic and economic growth.
Key areas of agreement include:
- Economic engagement
- Strategic partnership
- Trade initiatives
- Energy cooperation
- Technological advancements
- City-to-city collaboration
New Mechanisms for Bilateral Growth
To facilitate and strengthen these cooperative efforts, India and Uzbekistan have established new institutional mechanisms. These structures aim to streamline communication and implementation of joint projects.
The nations decided to:
- Establish a Coordination Council at the foreign minister level.
- Upgrade their Joint Commission to a ministerial level.
- Plan a joint Business Summit to boost economic and business cooperation.
A crucial agreement also includes a long-term arrangement for the supply of uranium, highlighting a significant aspect of energy collaboration.
Technology and Future Cities
Prime Minister Modi specifically highlighted India’s GIFT City development, extending an invitation for an Uzbek delegation to study its technological advancements. This initiative draws a parallel with Uzbekistan’s ‘New Tashkent’ mega project, promoting mutual learning in urban and technological development.
President Mirziyoyev praised India’s progress under PM Modi’s leadership, acknowledging its high economic growth and achievements in digitalization, information technology, artificial intelligence, and space exploration. He also recognized India’s growing global influence.
PM Modi expressed gratitude for Uzbekistan’s warm welcome, noting the decoration of Tashkent in the Indian tricolour. He extended advance greetings for Uzbekistan’s upcoming 35th Independence Day, observing the coincidence of both countries completing 15 years of their strategic partnership.