NEW DELHI: PM Modi and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held comprehensive talks Monday to broaden the scope of bilateral partnership and step up cooperation in key areas such as defence and counter-terrorism.
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev commenced on the official visit to India on Sept. 30, 2018. President Mirziyoyev and his wife, Ziroatkhon Hoshimova were earlier received at the Rashtrapati Bhavan with an official welcome.
PM Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind had received him. This is Mirziyoyev’s first visit to India since assuming office in 2016.
India-Uzbekistan bilateral trade stands at around $350 million now and the new target represents a six-fold increase over this.According to a joint statement, both sides called for further promotion of investment.
The 17 agreements signed between the two sides covered the areas of tourism, military training, law and justice, agriculture, science and innovation, health and pharmaceuticals.Defence has been an important aspect in the India-Uzbekistan ties.
In terms of defence cooperation, the Prime Minister said that India and Uzbekistan discussed joint military exercises and military education and training among other areas.
PM Modi said India had decided to extend a line of credit (LoC) of $200 million to Uzbekistan for housing and other social infrastructure projects.
PM Modi said that India and Uzbekistan shared their vision and plans to further strengthen their strategic partnership.
Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said the India-Uzbekistan Strategic Partnership was very important for Tashkent’s foreign policy.
India was made a member of the SCO, a Eurasian inter-governmental organisation, last year. In terms of defence cooperation, the Prime Minister said that India and Uzbekistan discussed joint military exercises and military education and training among other areas.
