Published on 30/08/2026 – 18:16 GMT+2
India and Uzbekistan have elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, announcing a $5 billion trade target for 2030 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Tashkent. The leaders also indicated that a new long-term uranium supply agreement is nearing finalization.
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The negotiations resulted in agreements and commitments spanning trade, energy, and security sectors, broadening collaboration in critical minerals, defense, and digital infrastructure.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed “constructive discussions” and noted that an agreement could be signed “very shortly.” The ministry also reported that a memorandum on mining and geological resources, signed during the visit, will facilitate cooperation on critical minerals including uranium.
India currently imports uranium from Uzbekistan under a 2019 contract for 1,100 metric tonnes of natural uranium concentrate, with deliveries scheduled through 2026. A parliamentary response in March 2025 indicated that 600 metric tonnes had been received under the agreement by that time.
The imported uranium is used in civilian nuclear power reactors operating under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards. New Delhi aims to scale its nuclear generating capacity to 100 GW by 2047.
Trade and Digital Payments
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev stated that bilateral trade increased by 33% last year, reaching $1.3 billion. The parties now aim to achieve $5 billion in trade by 2030.
The joint statement outlines measures to eliminate non-tariff barriers, enhance market access, and strengthen manufacturing and supply chain linkages. A working group will be established to address trade and investment barriers and evaluate next steps following the completion of a feasibility study on a potential Uzbekistan-India Preferential Trade Agreement.
Digital payments emerged as a key outcome. A commercial agreement between India’s NPCI International Payments Limited and Uzbekistan’s National Interbank Processing Centre will enable Indian travelers to use UPI-enabled payment apps in Uzbekistan once operational. Indian officials anticipate the rollout within approximately one year.
Both sides also endorsed expanded use of multimodal transport routes to reduce freight costs between India and landlocked Uzbekistan.
Additional agreements covered education, environmental cooperation, and enhanced connections between Indian and Uzbek regional entities.
Defense and Regional Cooperation
A new foreign minister-level mechanism will oversee the expanded partnership, while the existing Intergovernmental Commission will be elevated to ministerial level.
The two countries agreed to expand defense and security cooperation. The joint statement identifies new opportunities for collaboration between their defense industries. India and Uzbekistan currently conduct the Dustlik joint military exercises.
Both sides reaffirmed a zero-tolerance stance on terrorism and called for enhanced cooperation in intelligence-sharing, law enforcement, and counter-terrorism efforts.
In multilateral forums, Uzbekistan reiterated its support for India’s bid for permanent membership in a reformed UN Security Council.
The leaders also pledged closer coordination within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and on issues concerning the Global South.
Education, Culture, and People-to-People Connections
Tourism is poised for growth. The Uzbek presidency highlighted a 30-day visa-free regime and 14 weekly flights between the two nations, while governments adopted a tourism cooperation program covering 2026–2028.
Four Indian universities are currently operating in Uzbekistan, with approximately 16,000 Indian students enrolled—many pursuing medicine. India also announced 100 scholarships for Uzbek students studying Hindi.
Modi participated in a session organized by the Yoga Federation of Uzbekistan.
The Indian leader was presented with the Oliy Darajali Do‘stlik Order, Uzbekistan’s highest honor for foreign dignitaries. This marked Modi’s fourth visit to Uzbekistan as the bilateral relationship commemorated 15 years of strategic partnership.
“A stronger India-Uzbekistan partnership will be a powerful force for peace, progress, and prosperity in Central Asia,” Modi stated following the discussions.
