The two countries agreed to deepen cooperation in uranium supplies, critical minerals, defence, digital payments and connectivity.
TASHKENT:
India and Uzbekistan elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, setting a target of increasing bilateral trade to $5 billion by 2030.
The two sides agreed to create a foreign ministers-led mechanism to oversee implementation of bilateral agreements. A joint working group will also address non-tariff barriers and investment obstacles affecting businesses in both countries.
India said progress had been made towards a long-term arrangement for the supply of uranium from Uzbekistan. The two governments also agreed to expand cooperation in critical minerals, peaceful uses of nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, space technology, pharmaceuticals and clean energy.
The joint statement called for stronger defence-industrial cooperation and closer coordination against terrorism, terror financing, violent extremism, organised crime and cyber threats. India and Uzbekistan already conduct the Dustlik joint military exercise.
A commercial agreement between NPCI International Payments Limited and Uzbekistan’s National Interbank Processing Centre is expected to facilitate UPI-enabled payments for Indian travellers after implementation.
The countries will also examine ways to use multimodal transport corridors to lower freight costs. Uzbekistan reaffirmed its support for India’s bid for permanent membership of a reformed United Nations Security Council.
Modi was conferred Uzbekistan’s Oliy Darajali Do‘stlik Order, described by the Indian government as the country’s highest honour for foreign leaders. He travelled onward to Bishkek for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.
