India, Uzbekistan raise ties, set USD 5 billion trade target by 2030

Tashkent,UPDATED: Aug 30, 2026 20:20 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday left for Kyrgyzstan to attend the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Leadership Summit after concluding his two-day visit to Uzbekistan, during which India and Uzbekistan agreed to raise their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and set a target of USD 5 billion in annual bilateral trade by 2030.

During the visit, the two sides signed 11 agreements to step up cooperation in key sectors, including mining and tourism, and agreed to create a framework for the long-term supply of uranium from Uzbekistan to India in line with cooperation in the civil nuclear energy sector. The talks between Modi and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also covered trade, investment, infrastructure, critical minerals, mining, defence and security, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, health, information technology, digital public infrastructure, including UPI, and education.

Modi was seen off at the airport in Tashkent by Uzbekistan Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X. "PM's visit to Uzbekistan reaffirmed the deep and enduring bonds between our two countries. In Kyrgyz Republic, PM will attend the 26th SCO Leadership Summit and carry forward India's constructive engagement with the region," he said.

In his press statement, Modi said the two countries had set a target of USD 5 billion in annual bilateral trade by 2030. The current volume of bilateral trade between the two nations is over USD 1 billion. Both leaders also announced the elevation of India-Uzbekistan ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, reflecting what they described as the growing depth and expanding scope of cooperation.

On Sunday, Modi paid floral tribute at the Shastri Memorial, honouring former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, and jointly planted a tree with Mirziyoyev in Tashkent. He was also conferred the "Oliy Darajali Do'stlik" Order, Uzbekistan's highest honour for foreign leaders, by Mirziyoyev for his contribution to strengthening friendship between the two countries.

Modi also visited the Mahatma Gandhi Centre at Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies and interacted with Indologists and students. "The interaction highlighted the vibrant cultural and intellectual ties between the two countries, especially among our youth and scholars," Jaiswal said in another post on X. Earlier in the day, Modi attended a yoga session hosted by the Yoga Federation of Uzbekistan.

The prime minister arrived in Tashkent on Saturday and was welcomed at the airport by Mirziyoyev. After his arrival, he visited Yangi Uzbekistan Park and laid a wreath at the Independence Monument with the Uzbek president. He also met members of the Indian community at a hotel in Tashkent.

Modi will be in Kyrgyzstan from August 31 to September 1 for the 26th SCO summit, after wrapping up a visit to Uzbekistan that saw both sides broaden cooperation across sectors and outline a more ambitious partnership.

With PTI Inputs

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