Basics
- Capital – Tashkent
- Border
- It is a doubly landlocked country located in Central Asia.
- It is surrounded by five countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan.
Areas of Cooperation
- Historical Context
- India was one of the first countries to recognize Uzbekistan’s sovereignty after its independence from the Soviet Union.
- The protocol on the establishment of diplomatic relations was signed in Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital.
- Political Relations
- The two countries have declared a Strategic Partnership in 2011, which has led to several institutionalized dialogue mechanisms at both political and official levels.
- High-level visits, such as the Prime Minister’s visits to Tashkent in 2015 and 2016, and to Samarkand in 2022, have further strengthened political ties.
- Virtual summits were held between the leaders in December 2020 to discuss regional stability, counter-terrorism, and economic cooperation
- Both nations participate in multilateral platforms like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the India-Central Asia Dialogue.
- Defence and Security
- The first joint military exercise, Dustlik, was conducted to strengthen defense ties.
- India has supported Uzbekistan’s security agencies through training and capacity building, focusing on counter-terrorism, organized crime, and smuggling.
- An “India Room” was established at the Armed Forces Academy of Uzbekistan in Tashkent
- Economic Cooperation
- India and Uzbekistan have set a bilateral trade target of $1 billion.
- They have signed numerous agreements, including those on military cooperation, people-to-people ties, and business.
- India has also extended a Line of Credit of $200 million for low-cost homes and other social infrastructure projects in Uzbekistan.
- Cultural and Educational Exchanges
- Cultural relations have been fostered through various exchange programs, including scholarships for Uzbek students to study in India and vice versa.
- Indian universities like Amity and Sharda have opened campuses in Uzbekistan.
- Collaboration in promoting startups and entrepreneurship has been facilitated by Indian institutions like iCreate
- The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has played a significant role in promoting cultural ties.
Challenges in Relations
- Limited Trade Volume – Bilateral trade remains low despite potential for expansion.
- Connectivity Issues – Lack of direct land routes due to geopolitical barriers (Pakistan, Afghanistan).
- Security Concerns – Terrorism threats from Afghanistan impact regional stability.
- China’s Influence – Uzbekistan’s increasing economic dependence on China poses a challenge for India.
- Slow Progress on INSTC – Delays in fully operationalizing the International North-South Transport Corridor.
- Energy Cooperation Gaps – Untapped potential in nuclear and renewable energy collaboration.
- Strategic Balancing – Uzbekistan’s neutrality policy limits deeper defense cooperation with India.