New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on August 12 as the leaders reviewed progress in key sectors of cooperation and reiterated their commitment to advancing the India–Uzbekistan Strategic Partnership. Mirziyoyev extended warm Independence Day greetings to PM Modi and the people of India, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) stated.

On X, PM Modi wrote, “Had a fruitful conversation with the President of Uzbekistan, Mr Shavkat Mirziyoyev. We reviewed the progress achieved in key areas of our bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed our shared resolve to further advance the India–Uzbekistan Strategic Partnership.”

The leaders exchanged views on regional and global developments and reaffirmed their intent to strengthen centuries-old ties between India and Central Asia, agreeing to remain in touch. “The two leaders reviewed progress in several key areas of bilateral cooperation, including trade, connectivity, health, technology and people-to-people ties,” the PMO added.

India was among the first nations to recognise Uzbekistan’s sovereignty after independence. PM Modi visited Tashkent (2015, 2016) and Samarkand (2022), while Mirziyoyev visited India in 2018 and 2019. A Virtual Summit was held in 2020, and the leaders also met at COP-28 in Dubai (2023) and at the BRICS Summit in Kazan (2024).

In June, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov to discuss cooperation in connectivity, investment, trade and energy. Both addressed the shared challenge of terrorism. Saidov was in Delhi for the 4th India–Central Asia Dialogue, launched in 2019 in Samarkand, a platform for strengthening regional ties. Jaishankar appreciated Central Asia’s solidarity in condemning the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

— Bureau Report