During an official visit to Uzbekistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on 30 August 2026. The two nations have decided to upgrade their relationship and work towards closer economic and strategic ties. The discussions covered areas ranging from trade and defence to healthcare, education and people-to-people contact.
What was decided
India and Uzbekistan have elevated their Strategic Partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The two countries have set a goal to reach USD 5 billion in bilateral trade by 2030 and plan to hold a Business Summit to strengthen economic links.
To manage this expanded partnership, both nations agreed to establish a Foreign Ministers-led mechanism and upgrade the Inter-Governmental Commission to ministerial level.
In concrete initiatives, Prime Minister Modi announced:
- The Lal Bahadur Shastri Scholarship for Hindi language study, to be made available to Uzbek students. This marks the 60th anniversary of the former Prime Minister’s passing.
- A USD 1 million grant to support environmental rehabilitation work in the Aral Sea region, aligning with Uzbekistan’s green development goals and India’s own environmental programmes.
- A Letter of Intent for restoring two Buddhist heritage sites: Fayaz Tepa and Kara Tepa.
- An agreement to establish a Sanskrit Chair at Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies.
Several other agreements were signed covering culture, higher education, capacity building, tourism, mining, ayurveda and sister-state relations.
Prime Minister Modi noted that India is committed to strengthening cooperation on critical minerals, particularly referencing the long-term uranium supply arrangement already in place.
What this means for you
Indian students and professionals may find new opportunities for collaboration in education and research through expanded academic ties. Indian businesses aiming to export or invest in Central Asia have a clearer roadmap, with bilateral trade expected to grow significantly. The emphasis on heritage conservation and Sanskrit education reflects India’s broader cultural outreach in the region. For those interested in environmental work, the Aral Sea project represents a concrete example of India’s commitment to tackling ecological challenges beyond its borders.