The two sides discussed cooperation in digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence and nuclear energy. NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said India and Uzbekistan have decided to elevate their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, setting an ambitious target of $5 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.Addressing a joint press meet with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, PM Modi said the two countries share common aspirations and are looking to expand cooperation across trade, technology, defence, energy, infrastructure and other strategic sectors.“Uzbekistan is at the heart of Central Asia and at the heart of India’s engagement with the region,” the Prime Minister said.He noted that 2026 marks 15 years of the India-Uzbekistan strategic partnership and said the two countries were now looking to give their relationship a broader and more ambitious framework.“India and Uzbekistan have deep similarities in their thinking and aspirations. Youth, innovation, inclusive growth and modern technology are at the core of both Young Uzbekistan and Developed India 2047. Following this shared vision, we are continuously working for the welfare of the people of both countries. This year marks 15 years of our strategic partnership. On this special occasion, we have decided to elevate our relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” PM Modi said.“Our bilateral trade has crossed $1 billion. Now, we have set a target of $5 billion in trade by 2030,” he added.During delegation-level talks at the Kuksaroy Presidential Palace, Modi announced a long-term arrangement for uranium supplies from Uzbekistan.“We will also establish a long-term arrangement for the supply of uranium. Today, we are formalising three sister-city and sister-state arrangements. We should create a roadmap to fully realise their potential,” PM Modi said.The two sides also discussed cooperation in digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, clean energy, space and nuclear energy.“We will work together to enhance win-win cooperation in infrastructure development. Collaboration in areas such as digital public infrastructure, AI, critical minerals, clean energy, space, and nuclear energy is making our relationship future-ready,” Modi said.Defence and securityPM Modi said defence and security cooperation would be expanded through direct linkages, co-production and co-development between the defence industries of the two countries.“The close defence and security cooperation between our two countries reflects our deep mutual trust. In the future, we will promote direct linkages, co-production, and co-development between the defense industries of both nations,” he said.Modi said India and Uzbekistan shared a commitment to combating terrorism, extremism and separatism.“We believe that terrorism, extremism, and separatism pose serious challenges to the entire region. Maintaining a policy of zero tolerance against these threats has been, and will continue to be, our shared resolve,” he said.The prime minister also highlighted cooperation in agriculture, healthcare and traditional medicine, saying the strengths of the two countries could complement each other.“By combining Uzbekistan’s experience in horticulture with India’s modern agricultural practices, we will contribute to the food security of both nations. Uzbekistan’s medicinal herbs and India’s expertise in Ayurveda form a natural combination,” Modi said.Sister-city, state partnershipsPM Modi also announced that India and Uzbekistan would establish three sister-city and sister-state arrangements to expand cooperation beyond the national capitals.“We aim to ensure that our partnership is not limited merely to our national capitals; therefore, we are establishing partnerships between our cities and states,” he said.He also highlighted the potential for cooperation between Uzbekistan’s New Tashkent project and India’s GIFT City.“Mega-projects like ‘New Tashkent’ are underway in your country, while in India, we have developed GIFT City in Gujarat. We would be delighted to welcome a delegation from your country to study best practices and the use of technology in these developments,” PM Modi said.Mirziyoyev outlines new areas of cooperationMirziyoyev said the talks had identified several new areas where India and Uzbekistan could expand cooperation, including energy, culture, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, jewellery and agriculture.“During our discussions, we identified new areas where we can realize our existing potential. We aim to advance cooperation in sectors such as energy, culture, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, jewelry, and agriculture,” he said.“We will prepare roadmaps for each of these sectors; specific teams from India will visit here, and our teams will travel to India, enabling us to clearly define our objectives in these fields,” Mirziyoyev added.The Uzbek president said the two countries would continue to coordinate on global issues and support each other at international platforms including the United Nations, BRICS and the Non-Aligned Movement.He also highlighted growing educational and cultural ties, noting that four Indian universities are currently operating in Uzbekistan. Mirziyoyev said a 30-day visa-free regime and efforts to promote direct flights would further boost people-to-people exchanges.“Our partnership has ascended to a new level of quality, emerging as a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” Mirziyoyev said.PM Modi receives Uzbekistan’s highest honourDuring his visit, Mirziyoyev conferred Uzbekistan’s highest state honour, the Order of “Oliy Darajali Dustlik”, on PM Modi.Calling it a moment of “immense pride”, PM Modi said the award reflected the longstanding friendship between the two countries.“’Dostlik’ means friendship. This single word exquisitely captures and expresses the sentiment that lies at the very core of relations between India and Uzbekistan,” Modi said.He dedicated the honour to the people of India and the shared heritage of the two countries.“This honour does not belong to just one individual; it belongs to 1.4 billion people of India,” Modi said.“From this historic land of Uzbekistan, I want to reassure the people of Uzbekistan today that India will never step back from its responsibilities. We will honour this friendship in every way,” he added.‘Uzbekistan loves Yoga!’The Prime Minister also witnessed a special yoga session in Tashkent featuring 52 practitioners from Uzbekistan.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines“Uzbekistan loves Yoga!” PM Modi said in a post on X, highlighting the country’s participation in the first World Yogasana Championship held in Ahmedabad earlier this year.“Uzbekistan was a proud participant in the first-ever World Yogasana Championship held in Ahmedabad earlier this year. Some of the medalists were also present today. They came back with great memories of India and the Championship,” he said.PM Modi also commended the Yoga Federation of Uzbekistan for promoting yoga in the country.The prime minister is on a two-nation visit to Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic. From Tashkent, he will travel to Bishkek to attend the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit on August 31 and September 1.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorKanchan YadavKanchan Yadav is a writer at The Times of India, where she covers business, politics, international affairs and social issues. Her reporting also focuses on policy, governance and economic developments, with a close lens on how decisions in corridors of power affect everyday lives and community well-being.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Do You Feel You Are A Lord?’: Bombay High Court Raps Tukaram Mundhe-Led FDA Over MCA Order‘If Any Hindu Thinks…’: Opposition, Muslim Boards Respond To RSS Chief Bhagwat’s New York RemarksBJP Reprimands Three Delhi MPs Over Visit To Sajjan Kumar’s Home After His DeathKolkata Police Files Case Against Mamata Banerjee Over Rally, TMC Hits Back At BJP Govt | WatchRahul Gandhi Slams BJP-RSS Over Kharge ‘Shuddhikaran’, Demands Action Under SC/ST ActPakistani Drones Spotted Along LoC: Indian Army Intensifies Surveillance In J&K | WatchPM Modi’s 4-Day Central Asia Visit: Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan & SCO Summit | India’s Diplomatic PushB Nagendra Quits Karnataka Cabinet Amid Valmiki Scam Allegations, Calls Charges Politically DrivenBlast Near Manipur BJP MLA’s House; CM Khemchand Singh Calls Attack ‘Barbaric’Fresh Threat To Kashmiri Pandits: Terror Group ULC Warns Over Reopening Exodus Cases | Watch123PhotostoriesFrom Versace to Alex Perry: Suhana Khan’s Cartier moment was all about big-fashion energy10 must-try vegetarian dishes to try in DubaiFrom gajra to jadai: Traditional Indian hair adornments that deserve a fashion revival5 things in your kitchen that may be dirtier than your toiletThat oil sitting beside your stove may be going bad faster than you think: What heat and light do to cooking oilHow to clean a burnt pan without scrubbing hard and longBigg Boss Tamil 10: From Joy Crizildaa to Gayathri Sri, rumoured female contestants of Vijay Sethupathi-hosted showDoes microwaving food make it unhealthy? 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NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said India and Uzbekistan have decided to elevate their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, setting an ambitious target of $5 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.Addressing a joint press meet with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, PM Modi said the two countries share common aspirations and are looking to expand cooperation across trade, technology, defence, energy, infrastructure and other strategic sectors.“Uzbekistan is at the heart of Central Asia and at the heart of India’s engagement with the region,” the Prime Minister said.He noted that 2026 marks 15 years of the India-Uzbekistan strategic partnership and said the two countries were now looking to give their relationship a broader and more ambitious framework.“India and Uzbekistan have deep similarities in their thinking and aspirations. Youth, innovation, inclusive growth and modern technology are at the core of both Young Uzbekistan and Developed India 2047. Following this shared vision, we are continuously working for the welfare of the people of both countries. This year marks 15 years of our strategic partnership. On this special occasion, we have decided to elevate our relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” PM Modi said.“Our bilateral trade has crossed $1 billion. Now, we have set a target of $5 billion in trade by 2030,” he added.During delegation-level talks at the Kuksaroy Presidential Palace, Modi announced a long-term arrangement for uranium supplies from Uzbekistan.“We will also establish a long-term arrangement for the supply of uranium. Today, we are formalising three sister-city and sister-state arrangements. We should create a roadmap to fully realise their potential,” PM Modi said.The two sides also discussed cooperation in digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, clean energy, space and nuclear energy.“We will work together to enhance win-win cooperation in infrastructure development. Collaboration in areas such as digital public infrastructure, AI, critical minerals, clean energy, space, and nuclear energy is making our relationship future-ready,” Modi said.Defence and securityPM Modi said defence and security cooperation would be expanded through direct linkages, co-production and co-development between the defence industries of the two countries.“The close defence and security cooperation between our two countries reflects our deep mutual trust. In the future, we will promote direct linkages, co-production, and co-development between the defense industries of both nations,” he said.Modi said India and Uzbekistan shared a commitment to combating terrorism, extremism and separatism.“We believe that terrorism, extremism, and separatism pose serious challenges to the entire region. Maintaining a policy of zero tolerance against these threats has been, and will continue to be, our shared resolve,” he said.The prime minister also highlighted cooperation in agriculture, healthcare and traditional medicine, saying the strengths of the two countries could complement each other.“By combining Uzbekistan’s experience in horticulture with India’s modern agricultural practices, we will contribute to the food security of both nations. Uzbekistan’s medicinal herbs and India’s expertise in Ayurveda form a natural combination,” Modi said.Sister-city, state partnershipsPM Modi also announced that India and Uzbekistan would establish three sister-city and sister-state arrangements to expand cooperation beyond the national capitals.“We aim to ensure that our partnership is not limited merely to our national capitals; therefore, we are establishing partnerships between our cities and states,” he said.He also highlighted the potential for cooperation between Uzbekistan’s New Tashkent project and India’s GIFT City.“Mega-projects like ‘New Tashkent’ are underway in your country, while in India, we have developed GIFT City in Gujarat. We would be delighted to welcome a delegation from your country to study best practices and the use of technology in these developments,” PM Modi said.Mirziyoyev outlines new areas of cooperationMirziyoyev said the talks had identified several new areas where India and Uzbekistan could expand cooperation, including energy, culture, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, jewellery and agriculture.“During our discussions, we identified new areas where we can realize our existing potential. We aim to advance cooperation in sectors such as energy, culture, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, jewelry, and agriculture,” he said.“We will prepare roadmaps for each of these sectors; specific teams from India will visit here, and our teams will travel to India, enabling us to clearly define our objectives in these fields,” Mirziyoyev added.The Uzbek president said the two countries would continue to coordinate on global issues and support each other at international platforms including the United Nations, BRICS and the Non-Aligned Movement.He also highlighted growing educational and cultural ties, noting that four Indian universities are currently operating in Uzbekistan. Mirziyoyev said a 30-day visa-free regime and efforts to promote direct flights would further boost people-to-people exchanges.“Our partnership has ascended to a new level of quality, emerging as a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” Mirziyoyev said.PM Modi receives Uzbekistan’s highest honourDuring his visit, Mirziyoyev conferred Uzbekistan’s highest state honour, the Order of “Oliy Darajali Dustlik”, on PM Modi.Calling it a moment of “immense pride”, PM Modi said the award reflected the longstanding friendship between the two countries.“’Dostlik’ means friendship. This single word exquisitely captures and expresses the sentiment that lies at the very core of relations between India and Uzbekistan,” Modi said.He dedicated the honour to the people of India and the shared heritage of the two countries.“This honour does not belong to just one individual; it belongs to 1.4 billion people of India,” Modi said.“From this historic land of Uzbekistan, I want to reassure the people of Uzbekistan today that India will never step back from its responsibilities. We will honour this friendship in every way,” he added.‘Uzbekistan loves Yoga!’The Prime Minister also witnessed a special yoga session in Tashkent featuring 52 practitioners from Uzbekistan.
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“Uzbekistan loves Yoga!” PM Modi said in a post on X, highlighting the country’s participation in the first World Yogasana Championship held in Ahmedabad earlier this year.“Uzbekistan was a proud participant in the first-ever World Yogasana Championship held in Ahmedabad earlier this year. Some of the medalists were also present today. They came back with great memories of India and the Championship,” he said.PM Modi also commended the Yoga Federation of Uzbekistan for promoting yoga in the country.The prime minister is on a two-nation visit to Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic. From Tashkent, he will travel to Bishkek to attend the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit on August 31 and September 1.
