India and Uzbekistan have agreed to deepen cooperation across trade, defence, and energy sectors following high-level talks between their leaders. This move aims to strengthen strategic ties and economic collaboration.
$600 million
Bilateral Trade (2025)
⏳ Time Machine
How today’s news fits into the bigger picture
January 2017
Uzbek President Visits India
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev made his first state visit to India, signing several agreements on trade, investment, and cultural exchange, setting the stage for enhanced bilateral relations.
October 2018
First Joint Military Exercise
India and Uzbekistan held their first joint military exercise, 'Dustlik', in Uzbekistan, focusing on counter-terrorism operations. This marked a significant step in defence cooperation.
December 2020
Virtual Summit & Trade Boost
PM Modi and President Mirziyoyev held a virtual summit, setting a target of $1 billion for bilateral trade by 2025. Discussions covered post-COVID economic recovery and strategic partnerships.
November 2025
Energy Cooperation Forum
India and Uzbekistan co-hosted an Energy Cooperation Forum in Tashkent, exploring investment opportunities in oil and gas, as well as renewable energy, signaling growing interest in the sector.
Today
India and Uzbekistan agreed to deepen cooperation in trade, defence, and energy sectors.
What happens next?
Specific MoUs and joint working groups are expected to be established within the next 6-12 months to implement projects across the agreed sectors.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held delegation-level talks, resulting in an agreement to enhance cooperation in key areas including trade, defence, energy, and digital connectivity. The discussions focused on expanding economic engagement, promoting joint defence initiatives, and exploring new opportunities in the energy sector to bolster regional stability and prosperity. This renewed commitment underscores India's 'Connect Central Asia' policy and Uzbekistan's interest in diversifying its international partnerships, potentially opening new avenues for Indian businesses and strategic interests in the Central Asian region.
💭 If you're wondering…
It's India's foreign policy initiative aimed at strengthening political, economic, security, and cultural ties with the five Central Asian republics: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
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