Category: Bilateral
Bilateral Relations : India-Uzbekistan
India-Uzbekistan Relations
Brief on India-Uzbekistan Bilateral Relations
India and Uzbekistan share a long-standing relationship rooted in ancient history. India was among the first countries to recognize Uzbekistan’s independence. Diplomatic relations were officially established with the signing of a protocol in Tashkent on 18 March 1992. The two nations elevated their partnership to a Strategic Partnership in 2011, supported by multiple institutional mechanisms at political and official levels.
Leaders’ Engagements
- Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited Uzbekistan in July 2015, June 2016, and September 2022.
- President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited India in October 2018 and January 2019.
- A Virtual Summit was held between the two leaders in December 2020.
- President Mirziyoyev participated in the first India-Central Asia Summit (Virtual) on 27 January 2022.
- The most recent meeting took place during COP-28 in Dubai, December 2023.
Ministerial Engagements
- Regular interactions occur on the sidelines of forums like the India-Central Asia Dialogue and SCO summits.
- The Foreign Ministers last met during the SCO Summit in July 2024 in Astana.
- High-level visits include Defence Ministers, Speakers of Parliament, and Agriculture Ministers.
- The Finance Minister attended the 9th Annual Meeting of the AIIB in September 2024 in Uzbekistan, meeting with senior Uzbek leaders and participating in the Uzbekistan-India Business Forum, where a Bilateral Investment Treaty was signed.
Inter-Governmental Commission
The 13th meeting of the Uzbek-Indian Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation took place in New Delhi on 28 July 2022. The meeting was co-chaired by India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, and Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Jamshid Khodjaev. An agreement was reached to organize an India-Central Asia Transport Ministers’ meeting to develop multimodal transport corridors under the North-South initiative.
Foreign Office Consultations (FoC)
- Secretary (West) Shri Sanjay Verma visited Uzbekistan on 8–9 August 2023 for the 16th round of FoC, meeting Deputy Foreign Minister Bakhrom Aloyev and Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov.
- Earlier, Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Furkat Sidikov led the Uzbek delegation to FoC held in New Delhi on 11 May 2022.
Bilateral Trade and Investments
India ranks among Uzbekistan’s top 10 trading partners. In 2023, bilateral trade stood at USD 756.60 million (as per Uzbek statistics), indicating significant untapped potential.
India’s major exports:
- Pharmaceuticals
- Mechanical equipment
- Vehicle parts
- Frozen buffalo meat
- Mobile phones
- Optical instruments and services
India’s imports from Uzbekistan include:
- Fruit and vegetable products
- Fertilizers
- Juice products and extracts
- Lubricants
- Services
Trade Statistics (USD Million)
| Year | Export | Import | Total Trade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–21 | 423 | 19.70 | 442.60 |
| 2021–22 | 460.60 | 29.90 | 490.50 |
| 2022–23 | 654.90 | 35.60 | 690.50 |
| 2023–24 | 648.50 | 108.10 | 756.60 |
| 2024–25 (till June) | 363.60 | 50.00 | 388.50 |
Total Indian investment in Uzbekistan is approximately USD 325 million. Indian companies are engaged in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, healthcare, education, and real estate. As of August 2024, 317 enterprises with Indian capital participation are registered in Uzbekistan.
Four Indian universities operate in Uzbekistan:
- Amity University, Tashkent
- Sharda University, Andijan
- Sambhram University, Jizzakh
- Acharya University, Bukhara
Defence & Security Cooperation
India and Uzbekistan maintain strong cooperation in defence, including:
- The Joint Working Group (JWG) on Defence Cooperation established in 2019; the fourth JWG meeting took place in April 2024.
- Annual joint military exercises “DUSTLIK” – the fifth edition was held in April 2024, attended by COAS General Manoj Pande.
Education Cooperation
India has supported educational cooperation through:
- Establishment of India Study Centres in 15 universities under “Aid to Uzbekistan”.
- ICCR Chairs in Samarkand State University (Economics) and Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies (Hindi).
- Provision of IT instruments, books, musical instruments, and cultural materials.
In January 2023, four Uzbek Hindi scholars participated in the World Hindi Conference in Fiji. Prof. Nilufar Khodjaeva received the Hindi Samman Award from the External Affairs Minister. A proposal to establish an IIT campus is under consideration. Over 100 Uzbek candidates were selected under ITEC programmes in 2023–24.
Cultural Cooperation
There is a deep cultural connection between the two countries. Indian films, songs, and actors have been immensely popular in Uzbekistan since the era of Raj Kapoor.
The Lal Bahadur Shastri Centre for Indian Culture (LBSCIC) had around 400 yoga and 200 Kathak students in 2023. Over 2,000 people participated in International Yoga Day. The Yoga Federation of Uzbekistan works closely with the Indian Embassy and includes an Indian yoga teacher. Two batches of yoga volunteers have been certified by the Ministry of AYUSH.
People-to-People Contacts & Diaspora
The Indian community in Uzbekistan is estimated at around 15,000, including a large number of students.
| Year | Uzbeks Visited India | Indians Visited Uzbekistan |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 12,500 | 28,200 |
| 2023 | 17,000 | 45,500 |
Multilateral Engagement
India and Uzbekistan cooperate actively in multilateral platforms such as the UN, G20, BRICS, and SCO. The two sides also engage through the India-Central Asia framework, including:
- India-Central Asia Summit
- India-Central Asia Dialogue
- Joint Working Group on Afghanistan
- Central Asia Business Council
- National Security Advisors’ Meetings
Uzbekistan also actively participates in the Voice of Global South Summit (VGSS).
(Updated: September 2024)