PM Modi’s Uzbekistan visit takes shape after Saidov-Jaishankar talks

New Delhi: India and Uzbekistan are preparing for a fresh push in bilateral ties with the prime minister, Narendra Modi, expected to visit the Central Asian country following talks between the two sides in New Delhi. The Uzbek foreign minister, Bakhtiyor Saidov, who is in India, said preparations for Modi’s visit were under way after his meetings with the external affairs minister, S Jaishankar, and the president, Droupadi Murmu.

The proposed visit comes as both countries look to expand their economic relationship beyond the existing $1 billion trade volume. New areas such as mining and rare earth minerals are gaining attention, alongside established cooperation in energy, infrastructure, digital technology, healthcare and education.

Jaishankar, in a post on X, said the discussions covered energy, infrastructure, trade, defence, education and culture, besides regional issues and multilateral cooperation. Saidov said the talks also focused on expanding trade, economic and investment ties, strengthening transport and logistics connectivity and implementing the agreements reached between the two countries.

The potential for cooperation in critical minerals was also highlighted during Saidov’s meeting with Murmu. She said India and Uzbekistan share deep historical, cultural and civilizational ties rooted in ancient trade routes. She highlighted the potential for cooperation in rare earth minerals, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and information technology, while both sides agreed to explore new areas of bilateral cooperation.

Defence cooperation is another established part of the relationship. The two countries conduct the Dustlik joint military exercise, while their wider partnership has also grown through educational and capacity-building programmes. More than 3,000 Uzbek officials, professionals and students have benefited from Indian training and scholarship programmes, while over 16,000 Indian students are pursuing higher education in Uzbekistan.

The two sides are also seeking greater coordination on international issues. India has backed Uzbekistan’s chairship of the Non-Aligned Movement for 2027-29, while Jaishankar appreciated Tashkent’s support for India’s hosting of the BRICS Summit. New Delhi has also welcomed Uzbekistan’s position against terrorism.

Modi’s visit would be his fourth trip to Uzbekistan, following visits in 2015, 2016 and 2022. The latest trip is expected to give political momentum to the areas discussed during Saidov’s visit and further expand India’s engagement with Tashkent.

The prime minister is also expected to travel to Kyrgyzstan, where his programme will centre on the SCO summit and include bilateral meetings. India’s relationship with Bishkek has a strong security and capacity-building focus, including military training, joint exercises and personnel exchanges.

The two countries also collaborate through the Kyrgyz-India Mountain Bio-Medical Research Centre in Bishkek, while India provides 100 ITEC training slots to Kyrgyz nationals. Modi last visited Kyrgyzstan in 2019, after his earlier trip in 2015.

Together, the proposed visits would give India an opportunity to strengthen ties with two key Central Asian partners while using both bilateral and SCO engagements to advance its interests in trade, security, connectivity and strategic resources.