PM's Uzbekistan Visit: India and Uzbekistan Elevate Ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

During the Prime Minister's recent visit to Uzbekistan, India and Uzbekistan announced the elevation of their bilateral relations to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership. To strengthen this cooperation, 11 significant memoranda of understanding and agreements were signed between the two nations.

To promote cultural and historical ties, both countries have launched a cultural exchange program for the years 2026-30. Furthermore, a letter of intent was signed for the conservation and restoration of ancient Buddhist sites, Fayaz Tepa and Kara Tepa, located in Termez. An agreement was also reached for cooperation in the field of archival work.

On the economic and technical front, India and Uzbekistan agreed to enhance cooperation in sectors such as finance, mining, tourism, and environmental protection. Notably, an agreement between NPCI International Payments Limited and the National Interbank Processing Center of Uzbekistan will enable payments in Uzbekistan using Indian UPI apps via national QR codes.

Significant steps have also been taken in the fields of education and research. Both nations signed an agreement for cooperation in higher education and scientific research. Additionally, 100 Lal Bahadur Shastri scholarships for the Hindi language and the establishment of an ICCR Sanskrit Chair at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies were announced.

To make diplomatic relations more effective, an agreement was signed between the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service and the Diplomatic Academy of Uzbekistan. Furthermore, a cooperation agreement was signed to establish a partnership between the state of Gujarat in India and the Samarkand region of Uzbekistan.

Demonstrating its commitment to the environment, India announced a grant of 1 million USD for plantation activities in the Aral Sea region. The visit also opens new avenues for cooperation in traditional medical systems, such as Ayurveda.

These agreements and announcements reflect the growing trust and shared development goals between India and Uzbekistan. According to official sources, this visit will serve as a milestone for the future relationship between the two countries.