Tashkent, August 30, 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his state visit to Uzbekistan, held formal talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the Kuksaroy Presidential Palace. President Mirziyoyev warmly welcomed Prime Minister Modi and accorded him a ceremonial reception.
Prime Minister Modi conveyed his warm greetings to the people of Uzbekistan on the occasion of the country’s 35th Independence Anniversary.
The two leaders held comprehensive and substantive discussions at the delegation level on all aspects of the India-Uzbekistan strategic partnership. The discussions covered trade and investment, innovation and startups, Digital Public Infrastructure and UPI, defence and security, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, agriculture, education, tourism, space and people-to-people exchanges.
Prime Minister Modi welcomed the progress towards establishing a long-term arrangement for the supply of uranium from Uzbekistan to India and reiterated the importance of strengthening cooperation in critical minerals.
Strategic Partnership Upgraded
Reflecting the depth and growing importance of bilateral relations, the two leaders agreed to elevate the India-Uzbekistan Strategic Partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The two sides also agreed to set a target of USD 5 billion in bilateral trade by 2030 and called for organising a Trade Summit to further strengthen economic and investment ties.
To provide greater momentum to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the leaders agreed to establish a mechanism led by the two Foreign Ministers and decided to elevate the Inter-Governmental Commission to the ministerial level.
Focus on Yoga, Hindi and Environmental Cooperation
The leaders noted that India and Uzbekistan’s ancient civilisational ties, along with contemporary people-to-people connections, continue to add vitality to the bilateral partnership.
Prime Minister Modi appreciated the growing popularity of yoga in Uzbekistan. Earlier, he also witnessed a yoga session organised by the Uzbekistan Yoga Federation.
To commemorate the 60th death anniversary of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, Prime Minister Modi announced the Lal Bahadur Shastri Scholarship for Uzbek students to promote the study of the Hindi language.
Highlighting the similarities between Uzbekistan’s “Yashil Makon” green initiative and India’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign, Prime Minister Modi announced India’s partnership with Uzbekistan in ongoing environmental conservation efforts in the Aral Sea region. India will provide a grant of USD 1 million for the project.
The two leaders also jointly planted a tree in the gardens of the Presidential Palace.
Agreements Signed Across Several Sectors
Following the talks, the two sides exchanged Memoranda of Understanding and agreements covering several areas, including culture, higher education and research, capacity building, archives, economic cooperation, environment, tourism, mining, Ayurveda and inter-state relations.
A Letter of Intent was signed for the restoration of the Buddhist sites of Fayaz Tepa and Kara Tepa in Uzbekistan.
An MoU was also finalised for establishing an ICCR Sanskrit Chair at Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev hosted a banquet in honour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Prime Minister Modi thanked President Mirziyoyev for his warm hospitality and invited him to visit India.
