TASHKENT — Diplomatic relations between New Delhi and Tashkent reached a major landmark on Sunday. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev officially upgraded their bilateral ties to a India Uzbekistan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The high-level talks occurred at the Kuksaroy Presidential Palace in Tashkent. The milestone coincides with the 15th anniversary of the original strategic partnership established between both nations.
Long-Term Uranium Supply Secured for India’s Civilian Energy Sector
Energy collaboration served as the central pillar of the upgraded agreement. India secured a long-term commitment for uranium procurement to power its domestic civilian nuclear reactors.
Uzbekistan stands among the world’s leading uranium producers. Consequently, this energy pact guarantees critical mineral security for India’s clean energy transition over the coming decades.
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New Governance Architecture Set to Drive $5 Billion Trade Target
To implement the India Uzbekistan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, both leaders created a new ministerial governance structure. They established a foreign minister-level Coordination Council to oversee bilateral initiatives.
Furthermore, the existing Joint Commission was elevated from secretary rank to full ministerial rank. These administrative mechanisms will help both nations reach their target of five billion dollars in annual trade by 2030.
Urban Partnerships and Regional Security Drive Central Asian Ties
In addition to trade, both nations formalised three sister-city and sister-state arrangements. Prime Minister Modi invited Uzbek delegates to examine technology models at Gujarat’s GIFT City while highlighting Uzbekistan’s ambitious “New Tashkent” mega-project.
During the visit, President Mirziyoyev presented Prime Minister Modi with the Order of “Oliy Darajali Dustlik,” the nation’s supreme state award. The diplomatic stop marks the first leg of the Indian Prime Minister’s Central Asia trip before attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek.