The leaders of Uzbekistan and India discussed the prospects for further strengthening the strategic partnership

On September 16, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting in Samarkand with the Prime Minister of the Republic of India Narendra Modi, who is in Uzbekistan to attend a meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the press service of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan reports.

At the beginning of the meeting, the head of our state sincerely congratulated on the 75th anniversary of India’s independence.

The parties discussed issues of further deepening mutually beneficial cooperation and expanding the scope of strategic partnership relations.

The observed dynamics of the development of bilateral Uzbek-Indian relations and the readiness of the parties for joint actions for their further expansion in all areas of mutual interest were noted with satisfaction.

The leaders noted the growth in the volume of bilateral trade. Since the beginning of this year, the trade turnover has grown by 30 percent. Over the past six years, the number of joint ventures has increased 5 times.

Investment projects in the field of IT, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and tourism are being successfully implemented. The plans include bringing mutual trade up to $1 billion in the coming years.

The need for the speedy adoption and implementation of cooperation programs in the trade, economic, investment, scientific and educational fields, as well as agreements on the promotion and mutual protection of investments was noted.

The leaders paid special attention to strengthening partnership relations between the regions of the two countries.

The interest of Uzbekistan in strengthening transport links with India, including using the port of Chabahar, was emphasized.

A separate topic of the talks was the expansion of cultural and humanitarian cooperation. In recent years, three Indian universities have opened in Uzbekistan.

The results of the first India-Central Asia online summit were highly appreciated, the importance of the practical implementation of the agreements reached within the framework of this platform was emphasized. Gratitude was expressed to the Indian side for supporting the resolution of the UN General Assembly on strengthening the interconnectedness between Central and South Asia.

An exchange of views took place on issues of humanitarian assistance and assistance to the economic reconstruction of Afghanistan. Narendra Modi highly appreciated the efforts of Uzbekistan in this direction.

An agreement was reached on taking additional measures to promote joint projects and cooperation programs in priority areas of interaction.

The meeting was held in an open, warm and friendly atmosphere.