Mumbai, Sept. 2 -- India and Uzbekistan elevated bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in Tashkent, agreeing to establish a long-term arrangement for uranium supplies under civil nuclear cooperation. The two sides set a target to raise annual bilateral trade to United States dollar (USD) five bn by 2030 and signed 11 agreements across trade, investment, infrastructure, critical minerals, defence and digital public infrastructure. Ministers were tasked to develop a roadmap to realise partnership potential.
Officials said talks on uranium supplies had been positive and that the countries were close to signing an agreement, while the upgraded partnership will create a Foreign Minister-level Coordination Group and raise the Joint Commission to ministerial level. Leaders placed strong emphasis on counter-terrorism and the joint statement condemned terrorism in all its forms, reiterating a zero tolerance approach. They called for action against terrorist organisations, their financing networks and safe havens.
Cooperation will be strengthened in intelligence-sharing, law enforcement, countering violent extremism, organised crime, illicit drug trafficking and cyber threats. Defence cooperation will be broadened to encourage defence industries to pursue direct linkages and to co-develop and co-produce military equipment. The cooperation is intended to enhance regional stability and economic integration.
Uzbekistan will remove visa requirements for Indian citizens for stays of up to 30 days to promote tourism and business travel, and Indians travelling to Uzbekistan will be able to use Unified Payments Interface (UPI)-enabled applications within one year. Leaders agreed to pursue implementation of the 11 memoranda signed during the visit and to strengthen trade and investment ties. Officials said institutional mechanisms would be activated and set timelines for implementation to monitor delivery.
The Indian prime minister received Uzbekistan's highest state honour and dedicated the recognition to India's 1.4 billion (bn) people as a reflection of growing ties. He described Uzbekistan as central to India's engagement in Central Asia and framed the strengthened partnership as a force for peace, progress and prosperity. Officials said implementing the agreements and operationalising coordination mechanisms are the next steps.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.