India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Uzbekistan Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov met in New Delhi to strengthen bilateral ties and strategic partnerships.
This meeting signifies India's intent to integrate Uzbekistan more deeply into its extended neighborhood policy to secure economic and geopolitical interests in Central Asia.
The discussions focused on expanding cooperation across several critical sectors, including mining, energy, and digital technology [1, 2]. Both ministers explored ways to deepen coordination in international forums and enhance economic cooperation [1, 2]. The visit by Minister Saidov lasted four days [3].
Trade between the two nations currently stands at nearly $1 billion [1]. The officials aimed to identify new avenues to grow this figure through increased investment and joint ventures in the energy sector.
Minister Saidov also met with President Murmu during his visit to focus on boosting bilateral ties [3, 4]. The talks in New Delhi occurred on July 20, 2024 [5].
India views the partnership as a gateway to broader regional stability. By leveraging Uzbekistan's position in Central Asia, India seeks to diversify its energy sources and expand its digital footprint in the region [1, 2].
“Trade between India and Uzbekistan is worth nearly $1 billion”
The engagement reflects India's strategic shift toward Central Asia to counter regional volatility and secure critical mineral supply chains. By prioritizing Uzbekistan, India is attempting to create a reliable economic corridor that reduces reliance on traditional trade routes and strengthens its diplomatic presence in a region traditionally influenced by Russia and China.
