PM Modi’s Uzbekistan Visit: A New Phase in India’s Central Asian Strategy

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Abstract

Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Uzbekistan from 29-30 August holds strategic relevance for India, particularly expanding its connectivity in the Central Asian region. The bilateral talks in Tashkent between the two Asian strategic partners, before the Indian PM participated in the 26^th SCO Summit in Kyrgyzstan, not only reevaluated their bilateral relations but also extended the scope of cooperation in the field of “trade and investment, defence, digital connectivity, energy, education and people-to-people”[i].

Prime Minister Modi’s fourth visit to Uzbekistan, and meeting with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, indicated “the depth and growing momentum”[ii] in their bilateral relations. The visit also reflected progress and a reshaping of the India-Uzbekistan strategic partnership beyond traditional and political domains. It prioritises security, connectivity and economic opportunities that align with India’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and Uzbekistan’s 2030 Strategic goals.

From Historical Ties to a Strategic Partnership

As a doubly landlocked country, Uzbekistan serves as a regional gateway to Central Asia. The most populous country in the region, Uzbekistan holds significant strategic and economic relevance for India. India was among the first countries to recognise Uzbekistan’s sovereignty after it declared independence from the Soviet Union on 31 August 1991. India shares longstanding historical and cultural ties with Uzbekistan; however, formal “diplomatic relations were begun on 18 March 1992”[iii].

A major shift in their bilateral relations occurred after the signing of the Strategic Partnership in 2011. After becoming strategic partners, both countries have maintained a cordial partnership through regular high-level diplomatic engagements. New Delhi’s delegation-level discussions with Tashkent before attending the SCO Summit in Kyrgyzstan from 31-1^st September 2026 not only showed genuine “concerns for long term, mutually beneficial cooperation”[iv] but also underlined to strengthen relations into a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” to broaden their cooperation. The leaders mutually agreed to establish a “Foreign Ministers-led mechanism”[v] to provide high-level coordination to monitor the implementation of bilateral agreements and arrangements and the timely execution of initiatives and projects.

Trade, Investment and Technology

Economic cooperation is the key to their bilateral partnership. More than 400 Indian companies are currently operating in Uzbekistan and ensuring stronger commercial ties between the two nations. India is among the top 10 trade partners of Uzbekistan, marking India as an essential trade partner in terms of providing great investment opportunities. Accordingly, the “India-Uzbekistan Business Forum” offers a platform to elevate bilateral trade, investment, connectivity, manufacturing and business-to-business links. Their bilateral trade reached an estimated USD 1.5 billion [vi] in August 2026 and mutually expressed commitment towards doubling their bilateral trade in the sectors of “pharmaceuticals, agriculture, ICT, digital public infrastructure”, energy, critical minerals, healthcare, education, tourism, logistics and manufacturing”[vii]. These sectors offer a profound scope to expand annual bilateral trade to about “USD 5 billion by 2030” [viii].

The visit also highlighted the need to diversify trade by exploring new opportunities and sectors to cooperate. To enhance trade and investment growth, their efforts in removing non-tariff barriers and investment barriers help in promoting core commitment and interests of the two countries. As “Uzbekistan is rich in natural resources”[ix] cooperation between India and Uzbekistan on critical minerals offers a new dimension in the partnership.

India’s growing interest and investment in geology and mining, both sides’ leaders decided to work together on joint projects for recycling, geological exploration, value-added product development, integrated supply chains, and mineral processing. Thus, cooperation in these areas crucial for green energy transitions, digital technologies and defence manufacturing.

Furthermore, increasing bilateral cooperation on the development of mineral deposits in collaboration with Indian enterprises in Uzbekistan and Uzbek firms in India showed keen interest in progressing the cooperation in renewable energy, energy-infrastructure modernisation, and investment in energy projects.

Digital technologies, innovation and space cooperation provided another promising area in their ties. The first IT Park in Tashkent, established on the model of “Software Technology Parks of India (STPI)” demonstrates successful outcomes in deepening their relations. Moreover, the expanding partnership among industries, technological firms, startups and academic institutions within these two countries reflects sincerity and efforts to strengthen collaboration for sustainable development. Both supported the development of “safe, secure, and trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI) systems”[x] that promote sustainable economic progress, drive innovation and address societal challenges effectively. India and Uzbekistan move forward to intensify cooperation in peaceful space applications through the “exchange of scientific data, and capacity-building initiatives, including joint workshops and training programmes”[xi].

Defence and Security Cooperation

Defence is a strategically significant realm of their wide-ranging cooperation. Their mutual concerns on countering terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and a zero tolerance approach towards it highlight the importance of stronger cooperation in “law enforcement, intelligence-sharing, and combating violent extremism, and illicit drug trafficking, organised crime, and cyber threats”.

Their expanded bilateral military cooperation and enhanced defence industrial ties have led to the implementation of the Joint Working Group (JWG) in February 2019 as an institutional mechanism for advancing defence cooperation. The “sixth meeting of the Joint Working Group, held on 5 August 2026”[xii] underlined the importance of defence education, defence industrial ties, specialised training, effective practices and strategies, counter-terrorism and interoperability in semi-mountainous and semi-urban terrains. The “DUSTLIK” joint military training exercise between both sides’ armed forces aimed to enhance “military cooperation and developing combined capabilities for joint operations”[xiii]. Their continued exchange between the Uzbek Armed Forces and Indian Armed Forces focuses on “training exchange, defence equipment management and capacity-building for Uzbek defence personnel”,[xiv] ensuring commitment towards their long-term institutional ties. Thus, the bilateral defence agenda between these countries focused on defence manufacturing, technology transfer, equipment maintenance and training programmes to deepen defence cooperation.

Education and People to People Ties

The intensifying partnership is driven by joint research programmes, academic exchanges and resources to promote people-to-people ties. However, the growing scope for cooperation in the pharmaceuticals sector to pursue biomedical research and medical innovation through advanced scientific collaboration offers another dimension in upscaling bilateral relations. The “Tashkent Pharma Park” provides a platform “for implementing joint projects, attracting investment in modern pharmaceutical manufacturing, localising production, facilitating technology transfer, and developing a highly skilled workforce”[xv]. Overall, the visit emphasised co-production, co-investment, connectivity and opportunity across trade, defence, technology, pharmaceuticals and education. It promotes a broad-based approach to their bilateral cooperation by combining strategic cooperation with stronger people-to-people ties.

Perspective

India’s deepening engagement with Uzbekistan revolves around its “Connect Central Asia” approach, which considers Central Asia an important part of India’s extended neighbourhood. Therefore, India’s enhanced engagement within the region offers geopolitical depth amid growing Russian and Chinese influence.

India has sought to strengthen partnerships with all five Central Asian countries to advance its strategic interests in energy security, trade, defence cooperation and regional stability. Within this broader regional strategy, Uzbekistan holds demographic weight, strategic geographical location, economic potential and a leadership role in regional connectivity.

However, connectivity remains a key challenge in their relations. India does not share a land border with Uzbekistan, creating significant logistical constraints. Nevertheless, the Chabahar Port and integrated “International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)” can help India overcome some of these geographical limitations. Despite these efforts and commitments, India needs to adopt a practical and sustained approach to strengthening transport, logistics and commercial links with the region. Uzbekistan, as a gateway to Central Asia and India, as a leading power in South Asia, have significant potential to shape future engagement. Therefore, India should not focus only on ambitious strategic declarations but also on implementable projects that advance its core objectives in trade, investment, energy security, digital cooperation and regional connectivity. Consequently, a strengthening and broadening of the India-Uzbekistan partnership can accelerate India’s strategic interests in Central Asia.

References

Embassy of India. (2026, August), Brief on India-Uzbekistan Bilateral Relations. Embassy of India Tashkent. https://eoitashkent.gov.in/bilateral-relations-india-uzbekistan/

Firstpost. (2026, August), PM Modi arrives in Uzbekistan for 2-day visit, to hold talks with President Mirziyoyev. Firstpost. https://www.firstpost.com/world/pm-modi-arrives-in-uzbekistan-for-2-day-visit-to-hold-talks-with-president-mirziyoyev-14041817.html

FM Bharat. (2026, August). India, Uzbekistan hold Joint Working Group meet on defence cooperation, discuss joint training and capacity building. FM News. https://www.fmbharat.com/en/business/india-uzbekistan-hold-joint-working-group-meet-on-defence-cooperation-discuss-joint-training-and-capacity-building

Jeelani, G. (2026, August). PM Modi in Tashkent: India, Uzbekistan seek to unlock next phase of $1.5 billion trade ties. Mint. https://www.livemint.com/economy/pm-modi-in-uzbekistan-india-eyes-3-billion-trade-as-new-delhi-s-economic-ties-with-tashkent-deepen-minerals-defence/amp-11788006888065.html

MEA. (2025, August). Brief on India-Uzbekistan Bilateral Relations. Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.https://www.mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/India-Uzbekistan-Aug-2025.pdf

MEA. (2026, August), Joint Statement during the State Visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Uzbekistan. Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2304718&reg=6&lang=1