New Delhi, 30 August (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday held delegation-level talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and announced that India and Uzbekistan will elevate their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as the two countries mark the 15th anniversary of their strategic partnership this year.

Under the upgraded framework, the two sides will set concrete targets and timelines to advance bilateral cooperation across key sectors. Prime Minister Modi identified nuclear energy as an important area of collaboration and said India and Uzbekistan would establish a long-term arrangement for the supply of uranium.

In his opening remarks at the talks, Modi welcomed the initiative to identify projects in key areas and set timelines for implementing them to strengthen the bilateral economic partnership. He expressed confidence that the two countries would make early progress on the identified priorities.

The Prime Minister also said that the level of the Joint Commission between India and Uzbekistan would be upgraded from the secretary level to the ministerial level. The move is expected to provide greater momentum and effectiveness to bilateral cooperation.

Modi noted that the two countries were working towards establishing three sister-city and sister-strait arrangements. He said both sides should prepare a roadmap to realise the full potential of these arrangements.

The Prime Minister further announced that India and Uzbekistan would jointly organise a business summit bringing together business leaders from both countries. The initiative is expected to provide fresh impetus to economic and commercial ties.

Drawing a comparison between Uzbekistan’s New Tashkent mega project and Gujarat’s GIFT City, Modi said India would be pleased to welcome a delegation from Uzbekistan to Gujarat to study best practices and the use of advanced technologies.

He also extended advance greetings and best wishes to President Mirziyoyev and the people of Uzbekistan on the country’s 35th Independence Day, which will be celebrated on September 1.

President Mirziyoyev, in his opening remarks, said Prime Minister Modi’s state visit reflected the importance both countries attach to advancing their multifaceted cooperation. He said India and Uzbekistan would issue a joint statement on their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, opening a new avenue for expanding cooperation across various sectors.

The Uzbek President praised India’s economic growth and progress in digital technology, artificial intelligence, space and other fields, while highlighting the country’s growing influence in global affairs. He described India as a reliable strategic partner of Uzbekistan.

Mirziyoyev noted that bilateral trade between the two countries had crossed the USD 1 billion mark for the first time and that the number of joint ventures had also increased significantly. He also highlighted the growing connectivity between the two countries, including weekly direct flights, Indian cultural centres and the rising popularity of yoga in Uzbekistan.

The Uzbek President said the visa-free arrangement for Indian citizens was an important step towards promoting tourism, business ties and greater people-to-people contacts between the two countries.

Prime Minister Modi is on a state visit to Tashkent from August 29 to 30. This is his fourth visit to Uzbekistan as Prime Minister.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar