Finance
As part of his State Visit to Uzbekistan, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today held official talks with the President of Uzbekistan, H.E. Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev. On arrival at the Kuksaroy Presidential Palace, Prime Minister was warmly received by President Mirziyoyev and accorded a ceremonial welcome. He conveyed his warmest wishes to Uzbekistan on the occasion of their 35th anniversary of Independence.
The two leaders held wide-ranging and substantive discussions in delegation level format on the entire gamut of the bilateral strategic partnership, including trade and investment, innovation and start-up, digital public infrastructure and UPI, defence and security, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, agriculture, education, tourism, agriculture, space and people-to-people exchanges. Prime Minister appreciated the progress made in the long-term arrangement for supply of Uranium from Uzbekistan to India and reaffirmed the importance of strengthening cooperation in critical minerals. Reflecting the depth and salience of the relationship, they decided to elevate the bilateral Strategic Partnership to the level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They also agreed to set a bilateral trade target of USD 5 billion by 2030 and in this regard called for hosting a Business Summit to deepen economic and investment ties. To take forward the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in a meaningful manner, the two leaders agreed to set up a Foreign Ministers led mechanism and raise the Inter-Governmental Commission to the ministerial level.
The leaders noted that ancient civilizational linkages and contemporary people-to-people ties continue to add vitality to the partnership. In this regard, Prime Minister appreciated the popularity of Yoga in Uzbekistan. Earlier in the day, he viewed a Yoga Session organised by the Yoga Federation of Uzbekistan. To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the passing of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, Prime Minister Modi announced the Lal Bahadur Shastri Scholarship for Hindi language for Uzbek students . Recognising the convergence between Uzbekistan’s “Yashil Makon” green initiative and India’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative, Prime Minister Modi announced India’s partnership with Uzbekistan in the ongoing environmental rehabilitation efforts in the Aral Sea region with a grant of USD 1 million for the project. The two leaders also jointly planted a tree in the Palace garden.
Following the talks, the two sides witnessed the exchange of MoUs and agreements covering a wide range of areas, including culture, higher education and research, capacity building, archives, economic collaboration, environment, tourism, mining, ayurveda and sister-state relations. A Letter of Intent for the restoration of the Buddhist sites of Fayaz Tepa and Kara Tepa in Uzbekistan was concluded. An MoU for the establishment of an ICCR Sanskrit Chair at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies was also finalised. The full list of MoUs and agreements can be accessed here.
President Mirziyoyev hosted a banquet lunch in honour of Prime Minister. Prime Minister thanked President Mirziyoyev for his gracious hospitality and invited him to visit India.
Source: PIB
