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.
Economic cooperation formed a major part of the talks. Bilateral trade reached $1.3 billion in 2025, up 33%, according to the Uzbek government. Both countries set a target of raising annual trade to $5 billion by 2030. The number of joint ventures has increased sevenfold in recent years. India and Uzbekistan also have 14 direct flights each week, while four Indian universities currently operate in Uzbekistan. The leaders called for broader industrial and business links.
The two governments agreed to establish a foreign ministers-level mechanism to coordinate implementation of bilateral agreements. They also plan a joint working group on non-tariff issues and investment barriers. Officials will examine further steps following completion of a feasibility study for an India-Uzbekistan Preferential Trade Agreement. The leaders identified energy, electrical engineering, metallurgy, critical minerals and agriculture among priority sectors. Healthcare, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, electronics, mechanical engineering and jewellery also featured in the economic discussions.
Agreements expand cooperation across key sectors
India and Uzbekistan concluded 11 agreements, memoranda and related arrangements during the state visit. They cover culture, higher education, scientific research, environmental protection, traditional medicine, tourism, geology and mineral resources. The package also includes cooperation on archival work and an economic and financial dialogue. Another agreement links Gujarat state with Uzbekistan’s Samarkand region. The two sides also approved diplomatic training cooperation and measures concerning archaeological research and conservation at the Fayaz Tepa and Kara Tepa Buddhist sites.
The visit produced several additional announcements covering payments, education and environmental projects. India committed a $1 million grant for afforestation in the Aral Sea region. It also announced 100 Lal Bahadur Shastri scholarships for Hindi language studies and a Sanskrit academic chair in Tashkent. NPCI International Payments and Uzbekistan’s National Interbank Processing Centre reached a commercial agreement involving UPI. The arrangement will allow Indian UPI applications to scan Uzbekistan’s national UZQR system for merchant payments.
Security and multilateral cooperation remain central
Modi and Mirziyoyev also addressed defence, counterterrorism and regional security cooperation. The leaders condemned terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, and called for action against financing networks, safe havens and supporting infrastructure. They backed stronger cooperation in law enforcement, intelligence sharing, cyber threats and organized crime. India and Uzbekistan also noted their continuing military cooperation. Their latest joint Dustlik military exercise took place in Uzbekistan’s Namangan region in April 2026. Both sides also supported continued engagement through regional and international organizations.
Uzbekistan reaffirmed its support for India’s bid for permanent membership of a reformed United Nations Security Council. The two countries also agreed to strengthen coordination through the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and other multilateral forums. During the visit, Mirziyoyev conferred the Oliy Darajali Do’stlik Order on Modi. Uzbekistan describes it as its highest state honour for foreign leaders. Modi also invited Mirziyoyev to visit India, with the dates to be settled through diplomatic channels.