New Delhi, 30 August (H.S.): Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Sunday conferred Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Uzbekistan’s highest state honour, the “Oliy Darajali Do‘stlik” (Order of Supreme Friendship), in recognition of his contribution to strengthening the longstanding friendship and partnership between the two countries.

Expressing gratitude for the honour,PM Modi described the occasion as a moment of great pride. He said the award represented an honour for the 1.4 billion people of India and expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the people and government of Uzbekistan, as well as to President Mirziyoyev.

PM Modi said the honour also carried a significant responsibility. He assured that India would never shy away from its responsibilities and would remain fully committed to strengthening the friendship between the two nations.

The Prime Minister said India and Uzbekistan would work together to amplify the collective voice of the Global South and contribute with dedication to its welfare as well as the broader interests of humanity.

Dedication to the centuries-old friendship and shared heritage between India and Uzbekistan, Modi said the award reflected the deep historical bonds connecting the two societies. He credited President Mirziyoyev’s visionary leadership and his friendship towards India for the steady strengthening of bilateral relations.

PM Modi said the growing ties had culminated in the decision to elevate India-Uzbekistan relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Earlier, President Mirziyoyev thanked PM Modi for the substantive discussions held in a spirit of openness and brotherhood. He praised India’s rapid development and its growing influence on the global stage, attributing much of the country’s progress to Modi’s leadership.

Mirziyoyev said bilateral relations had reached a historically significant new level, with cooperation expanding across areas including trade, investment, transport, tourism, culture and environmental protection.

The Uzbek President said the two countries possess enormous potential for expanding economic cooperation. He described the existing bilateral trade level of around $1 billion not as a destination but as a starting point, expressing the ambition to increase trade to $5 billion and eventually to $10 billion.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar