16-Sep-2022: Bilateral meeting between Prime Minister and President of Uzbekistan

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, H.E. Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, today in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on the sidelines of the 22nd Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

This is a special year for the two countries as it marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. The leaders appreciated the overall progress in bilateral relations, including the implementation of decisions of the Virtual Summit in December 2020.

The two leaders touched upon priority areas of bilateral cooperation, particularly trade, economic cooperation and connectivity. They stressed the need to make concerted efforts to diversify the trade basket and enter into long-term arrangements to promote trade and investment. Connectivity was considered key to unlock the potential in this regard, including greater usage of the Chabahar port and the International North South Transport Corridor.

The leaders emphasized cooperation in fields like Information Technology, healthcare, higher education etc., based upon India’s developmental experience and expertise. Opening of Indian educational institutions and partnership between Uzbek and Indian universities was welcomed.

Regional issues, including Afghanistan were discussed. The leaders were unanimous in their view that the territory of Afghanistan should not be used for terrorist activities.

The leaders attached great importance to the outcomes of the First India-Central Asia Summit held in January this year. They acknowledged the progress being made in the implementation of the Summit decisions.

Prime Minister congratulated President Mirziyoyev for excellent organization of the SCO Summit and Uzbekistan’s successful chairmanship.

29-Jul-2022: Diversifying the trade basket is essential for India and Uzbekistan as multisectoral trade is the need of the hour

Smt. Anupriya Patel, Hon'ble Minister of State, Commerce and Industry, Government of India at the India – Uzbekistan Business Forum organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry mentioned that the frequent high-level visits of the Heads of State of India and Uzbekistan have played a pivotal role in deepening the ties between the two countries. Uzbekistan is an important trade partner for India and given the close ties of the two countries, Smt. Patel emphasized on growing bilateral trade between the two countries. Accordingly, she urged both the countries to focus on diversifying the trade basket as multisectoral trade is the need of the hour. Smt. Patel further underscored the willingness of India to deepen its engagement with Uzbekistan particularly in infrastructure, hospitality and tourism, IT and, training and capacity building which could also be important for Uzbekistan.

Given the significance of the pharmaceutical and IT sector for Uzbekistan, H.E. Mr. Jamshid Khodjayev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade of Uzbekistan, in his keynote address invited Indian businesses to integrate and jointly produce pharma and IT products with Uzbekistan and work towards the development of several segments such as fintech and cybersecurity.

Mr. Rakesh Bharti Mittal, Co-Chair, India Uzbekistan Joint Business Council (From India) & Vice Chairman, Bharti Enterprises in his opening remarks stressed upon the potential of engagement between India and Uzbekistan in agriculture, tourism, health & pharma, and space.

Mr. Farkhodjon Toshpulatov, Deputy Chairman, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan mentioned that India is considered to be one of the leading partners of Uzbekistan and economic cooperation is Uzbekistan’s priority. He mentioned about Uzbekistan’s keenness to join efforts with India on mutually beneficial projects in pharmaceutical, agriculture, food processing etc.

28-Oct-2021: Shri Sushil Chandra, Chief Election Commissioner of India visits Uzbekistan as an International Observer for Presidential Elections (21 - 25 Oct 2021)

On the invitation of the Chairman, Central Election Commission of Uzbekistan, (CEC-U), Chief Election Commissioner of India, Shri Sushil Chandra led a three member delegation to Uzbekistan in order to observe the conduct of Presidential elections held on October 24, 2021. This election, conducted under the new election code, was keenly watched by the international community.

The CEC of India and the Chairman, CEC of Uzbekistan Mr. Zainiddin M. Nizamkhodjaev held a bilateral meeting on electoral cooperation on October 21, 2021. The Chairman, CEC-U thanked Shri Chandra for accepting his invitation and also briefed him about the various measures taken for the conduct of this election including single electronic voters’ list, arrangements for in-person voting on poll day and early voting as well as covid safety arrangements. Sh. Chandra spoke about the recent conduct of elections in India and various avenues for further strengthening electoral ties between the two countries through signing of MoU on electoral cooperation and training and capacity building programs which ECI would be happy to organize for Uzbekistan election officials. Delegates from Uzbekistan have been avidly participating in ECI’s International Election Visitors Programmes (IEVP) organized during elections and officials from Uzbekistan have been attending training programs at ECI under the ITEC program.

Under the Uzbekistan Election law, the President is elected for a five year term from a single nationwide constituency. The election administration follows a three-tier structure comprised of the Central Election Commission, 14 District Election Commissions and 10,760 Precinct Election Commissions. Uzbekistan has an electorate of about 20 million. Each polling station caters to a maximum of 3000 voters. Early voting system was in place from October 14-20 and 421,618 people used the early voting facility including 120,524 from abroad.

Only registered political parties can nominate candidates to run in elections. Five candidates -four men and one woman candidate contested elections for the President of Uzbekistan. The campaign for elections is funded by the State. A number of infographics carrying photographs and information about the five candidates was displayed at prominent locations in Uzbekistan.

The Indian delegation visited the 7th and 14th District Election Commissions to obtain an overview of the electoral administration, procedures and initiatives of the CEC of Uzbekistan. Thereafter, they visited polling stations in Uzbekistan in order to observe the election process in detail. Various aspects of conduct of elections including voter lists, identification of voters, early voting mechanisms, arrangements for facilitation of the elderly and persons with disabilities, Covid safety protocols, polling station readiness and casting of vote by ballot paper were observed across different polling stations.

Presence of representatives of political parties/candidates and mahalla committees was noticed at polling booths. Voters were identified through passports or driving license document. A count of voters including First time voters and those voting from home was being maintained. Hourly reports of voter turnout were being sent to CEC electronically.

Shri Sushil Chandra took this opportunity to interact with the Officials of the Indian Embassy led by the Ambassador of India to Uzbekistan,  Shri Manish Prabhat and briefed them about the Electronic Transfer of Postal Ballot System (ETPBS) facilities for voting by service voters. This was followed by a very active and vibrant interaction on Indian elections with the representatives of Non-Resident Indian community based in Tashkent.

The CEC also paid floral tribute at the bust of India’s second Prime Minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri ji at his memorial in Tashkent.

19-Mar-2021: Indo-Uzbekistan field training exercise 'Dustlik' culminates in Ranikhet(Uttarakhand)

The second edition of Indo-Uzbekistan Joint Field Training Exercise, EXERCISE DUSTLIK-II culminated on Friday, 19 March 2021, after 10 days of mutual learning.

In the joint exercise which began on 10 Mar 2021, training was focused on Counter Insurgency / Counter Terrorism operations in urban scenario as well as sharing of expertise on Skills at Arms. The exercise also provided an opportunity to troops of both Armies to foster everlasting professional and social bonding.

After intense military training, the joint exercise concluded with both Armies exhibiting their combat power and dominance over the terrorist groups during the Validation Exercise. The closing ceremony showcased the immense talent with unique traditional touch of both nations. The senior officials expressed their satisfaction and gratitude towards the professional conduct of the exercise.

The bonhomie, espirit-de-corps and goodwill generated during the exercise will go a long way in future strengthening the bonds between the armed forces of both countries.

20-Jan-2021: Cabinet approves signing of Memorandum of Understanding between India and Uzbekistan for cooperation in the field of Solar Energy

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was apprised of signing of Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) between India and Uzbekistan for cooperation in the field of Solar Energy.

The main area of work under is to identify research/demonstration/pilot projects between the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, India and the International Solar Energy Institute (ISEI), Uzbekistan in the following mutually identified areas:

1. Solar Photovoltaic
2. Storage Technologies
3. Transfer of Technology

Based on mutual agreement, both parties would work for implementation and deployment of pilot project in International Solar Alliance (ISA) member countries.

11-Dec-2020: Joint Statement on India-Uzbekistan Virtual Summit: Close Friendship, Strong Partnership

Prime Minister of the Republic of India Shri Narendra Modi and President of the Republic of Uzbekistan H.E. Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev co-chaired a Virtual Summit between India and Uzbekistan on 11 December, 2020.

Prime Minister Modi and President Mirziyoyev held an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations, the COVID-19 pandemic and regional and global issues of mutual interest. Both leaders expressed their continued commitment to take India-Uzbekistan strategic partnership to a new and higher level.

Recalling the visits of President of Uzbekistan to India in September 2018 and January 2019, Prime Minister of India expressed appreciation to the fact that agreements reached during these visits have further strengthened cooperation between India and Uzbekistan in diverse sectors such as political, trade and investment, defence, security, counter-terrorism, science and technology, nuclear energy, space, Information Technology and have promoted cultural and academic linkages.

The leaders took special note of regular high level exchanges between India and Uzbekistan including the visits of Chief Minister of Gujarat and Defence Minister of India to Uzbekistan in 2019 and those of Interior Minister and the Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan to India in 2019 and 2020 respectively. They expressed satisfaction on the holding of the first meeting of the National Coordination Committee at the Ministerial level in August 2020 for monitoring implementation of various bilateral projects and agreements for timely and effective outcomes.

COVID-19 Pandemic

Taking stock of the considerable success achieved in their respective countries in containing the COVID-19 pandemic, both leaders emphasized on the need for bilateral and global cooperation to continue the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic including development and distribution of effective vaccines and other medicines. President of Uzbekistan thanked India for the assistance rendered to Uzbekistan in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s continued commitment to support Uzbekistan in this regard.

Trade, Economic and Investment Cooperation

Recalling that both India and Uzbekistan have a mutually identified target of USD 1 billion for bilateral trade, the leaders stressed on the importance of making concerted efforts to achieve this target. They acknowledged that the current level of bilateral trade does not reflect the true potential of bilateral trade. The leaders instructed their officials to fast-track the conclusion of the ongoing Joint Feasibility Study that will pave the way for commencement of negotiations on a Preferential Trade Agreement.

The leaders agreed that both sides should work towards an early conclusion of Bilateral Investment Treaty which shall facilitate investment promotion and protection for further improvement of trade and economic cooperation. The Sides noted the prospects for greater opportunities in the free economic zones of the two countries, including in the Uzbek-Indian free pharmaceutical zone in the Andijan region. The Uzbek side welcomed the opportunities in India for investing / manufacturing under the ‘Make in India’ flagship programme of Government of India.

The leaders agreed to strengthen mutual cooperation in the field of science, technologies and innovation by enhancing direct cooperation between government organizations, research institutes, innovation centres and technological enterprises of two countries.

The leaders highlighted the productive outcomes in the form of 23 B2B and G2G agreements and MoUs concluded during the visit of the business delegation from Gujarat led by Chief Minister Shri Vijay Rupani to Andijon in October 2019 and the return visit of an Uzbek business delegation to Gujarat in November 2019 within the framework of cooperation established between Gujarat and Andijon region. The Sides agreed to follow up on various investment projects identified during these visits, in particular, in the fields of pharmaceuticals, agriculture, textiles, gems & jewellery, information technology and others. The Sides agreed to encourage the development of direct contacts between more States of India and the regions of Uzbekistan.

The Sides also agreed to encourage establishment of direct contacts between the various chambers of commerce and industry from both countries and to enhance business exchanges through the established institutional mechanism of the Uzbekistan-India Business Council run by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Uzbekistan (Uz-CCI). In this regard, they also noted the holding of the 2nd session of India-Uzbekistan Business Forum in October 2020 with the participation of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Uz-CCI.

Development Cooperation

The Indian side confirmed the approval of USD 448 million of Line of Credit to be extended by India for four developmental projects in Uzbekistan in the fields of road construction, sewerage treatment and information technology. The Indian side reiterated its commitment to further deepen the development partnership between India and Uzbekistan, including under the framework of India-Central Asia dialogue.

The Uzbek side conveyed its desire to explore the possibility of implementing priority developmental projects in Uzbekistan as part of the USD 1 billion Line of Credit offered by India for Central Asian countries during the 2nd meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue.

The Uzbek side expressed its intention to use effectively the innovative grant financing mechanism of Government of India for undertaking community development projects in Uzbekistan under the MoU on High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs).

President of Uzbekistan thanked the Prime Minister of India for assistance for Uzbekistan-India Entrepreneurship Development Centre and noted that the Centre would not only help develop Entrepreneurs in sunrise as well as traditional sectors in Uzbekistan, but will also help in training and development of professionals, thereby realizing the full potential of the demographic dividend in Uzbekistan.

Both leaders noted the increasing G2G and B2B ties between both countries in the areas of Information Technology and Education sector. The Uzbek side thanked the Indian side for the deputation of an Indian expert to develop IT Parks in Uzbekistan. The Uzbek side noted that courses offered by the Indian Universities set up in Uzbekistan are sought after by the Uzbek students.

Defence and Security

Noting that defence is an important component of bilateral strategic partnership, the leaders appreciated the enhanced pace of bilateral defence cooperation since the convening of the first meeting of Joint Working Group on Defence Cooperation in February 2019. They welcomed the holding of the first-ever joint military exercises in November 2019 coinciding with the visit of Defence Minister of India to Uzbekistan. The Uzbek side noted that they highly value the quality of training and capacity building courses offered by India and called for closer cooperation in these areas.

Noting the importance of a safe and secure regional environment for development and prosperity, the Sides agreed to cooperate in addressing threats and challenges to national as well as regional security. In this regard, the Sides welcomed the holding of the first bilateral dialogue between the National Security Councils in Tashkent in September 2019. The Sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation between the law enforcement agencies and special services of the two countries, including under the framework of the Uzbekistan-India Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism.

President of Uzbekistan welcomed the establishment of an India Room in the Armed Forces Academy of Uzbekistan and thanked for the Indian assistance in the ongoing development of an IT Room in the Academy.

Civil Nuclear Energy

Both Sides welcomed the deepening of their bilateral civil nuclear cooperation, in particular, the conclusion of the bilateral agreement between the Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership, India and the Agency for Development of Nuclear Energy, Uzbekistan.

Connectivity

The Sides reiterated their continued commitment for enhancing connectivity between India and Uzbekistan and in the larger Central Asian region to bolster trade and investment. In this regard, the Indian side cited the successful functioning of the Chabahar port that could be a fulcrum of connectivity to Central Asia.

The Indian side welcomed the Uzbek proposal to hold trilateral dialogue among India, Iran and Uzbekistan to promote connectivity through the Chabahar port. The Indian side also requested the Uzbek side to consider joining the international North-South Transport Corridor which would add to the overall improvement of connectivity in the larger Eurasian space.

Culture, Education and People- to-People Contacts

Recalling the age-old cultural and civilizational links between India and Uzbekistan, the leaders stressed on the importance of promoting bilateral cooperation in cultural, educational and humanitarian spheres to further invigorate people-to-people contacts between the two countries.

The Sides expressed their appreciation for the 25 successful years of functioning of the Lal Bahadur Shastri Centre for Indian Culture in Tashkent and the role it has played in strengthening India-Uzbekistan cultural relations.

The Indian side invited the Uzbek side to avail of increased scholarship opportunities provided by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and training and capacity building under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme. The Uzbek side conveyed its gratitude for the large number of useful ITEC and ICCR courses/programmes being offered by India. The Indian side also offered customized ITEC courses as per the requirements of the Uzbek side.

Both Sides welcomed the progress made in the field of educational cooperation between the two countries. The Uzbek side highly valued the opening of branches of the Amity University and the Sharda University in Tashkent and Andijon respectively which have been providing quality education in various vocational sectors, including IT, tourism and management.

Terrorism

The leaders strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and reaffirmed the determination of their countries to combat this menace by destroying terrorist safe-havens, networks, infrastructure and funding channels. They also underlined the need for every country to ensure that its territory is not used to launch terrorist attacks against other countries. Both Sides called for an early finalization of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.

The Sides agreed to further intensify cooperation under the bilateral Intergovernmental Agreement concluded by both Sides in October 2018 on mutual cooperation in combating illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors as well as Interagency Agreement signed in November 2019 on cooperation in the field of combating transnational organized crime and international terrorism.

Afghanistan

The leaders discussed the situation in Afghanistan and noted that establishment of peace and stability in that country is of great importance to the security and stability of the entire region. They called for the settlement of the Afghan conflict on the principle of Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled peace process. India and Uzbekistan expressed their unanimity in their support for a united, sovereign and democratic Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

Appreciating the constructive role played by Uzbekistan, the two sides expressed their interest in strengthening cooperation for the development and economic reconstruction of Afghanistan, including through implementation of various development projects for the benefit of the people of Afghanistan and strengthening the institutions of Afghanistan. The Sides agreed that it would be vitally important to preserve the socio-economic development and political gains achieved by Afghanistan in the last 19 years, including the rights of minorities, women and children.

Reformed Multilateralism

The Sides reaffirmed that the United Nations must play a central role in maintaining global peace and security. They agreed to strengthen their cooperation, including through mutual support, in the United Nations and other international and regional organizations. The Sides called for comprehensive reform of the UN structures including the Security Council with expansion in both categories of membership. Uzbekistan reaffirmed its support to India’s candidature for permanent membership of the UN Security Council and congratulated India on its election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the term 2021-22. The Indian side thanked the Uzbek side for its support to Indian candidature for the UNSC and congratulated the Uzbek side on its successful election to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the term 2021-23.

The Sides lauded their close cooperation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Uzbekistan congratulated India on its successful holding of the Meeting of the Council of the Heads of Government of SCO on 30 November 2020 which was the first-ever HOG-level event hosted by India since its joining the SCO.

India thanked Uzbekistan for its support in the successful holding of the 2nd India-Central Asia Dialogue at the level of Foreign Ministers with the participation of Afghanistan. The Sides drew satisfaction from the successful institutionalization of the India-Central Asia Dialogue mechanism, the first meeting of which was hosted by Uzbekistan in Samarkand in January 2019 as a joint India-Uzbekistan initiative.

Conclusion

The leaders thanked each other for the productive discussions held during the Virtual Summit. They expressed confidence that the understandings and agreements reached during the Summit will further deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries for the well-being of their peoples and mutual prosperity.

His Excellency Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan reiterated the invitation to Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi to visit Uzbekistan at a convenient time.