Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Tashkent on Sunday, August 30, for high-level bilateral talks with Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, with trade, defence, energy and strategic cooperation forming the core of the discussions.
Modi arrived in the Uzbek capital on Saturday for a two-day State Visit and was personally received at the airport by President Mirziyoyev. The visit is Modi’s fourth trip to Uzbekistan, reflecting the growing strategic relationship between the two countries.
The main diplomatic engagements of the visit are scheduled for Sunday, with Modi and Mirziyoyev set to hold delegation-level talks at the Presidential Palace.
According to the official agenda, the two leaders will review cooperation across trade and investment, defence, digital connectivity, energy, education and people-to-people relations while identifying new areas for future collaboration.
Economic cooperation is expected to be a major focus. India and Uzbekistan are looking to expand bilateral trade beyond the current level of around $1 billion, with both sides exploring opportunities in investment, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and industrial cooperation.
Critical minerals and mining are also expected to feature prominently in the discussions, particularly cooperation involving rare-earth minerals, gold and other strategically important resources.
Defence ties between India and Uzbekistan have steadily expanded through military exercises, training programmes and security cooperation. The two countries are expected to discuss ways to further strengthen this partnership while addressing common regional security challenges.
Energy cooperation will form another important part of the talks, alongside discussions on digital technology, healthcare, medicine, skill development and improved connectivity between India and Central Asia.
Before his formal bilateral engagements on Sunday, Modi participated in a yoga programme organised by the Yoga Federation of Uzbekistan, highlighting cultural and people-to-people links between the two countries.
On Saturday, the Prime Minister also visited the Yangi Uzbekistan Park and paid tribute at the national monument after reaching Tashkent.
India and Uzbekistan are also expected to discuss their respective long-term development visions — Viksit Bharat 2047 and Uzbekistan-2030 — and explore areas where the two countries can work together to achieve shared economic and developmental goals.
After completing his Uzbekistan visit, Modi will travel to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, where he is scheduled to participate in the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit from August 31 to September 1.
The SCO meeting is expected to focus on regional security, terrorism, connectivity and economic cooperation among member countries.
Modi’s visit comes as India seeks to deepen its strategic engagement with Central Asia through stronger economic ties, improved connectivity and expanded security cooperation.
source – Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)
Supreme News Network
