Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded Uzbekistan’s highest award, ‘Oliy Darajali Do’stlik’ Order, when he visited Tashkent on August 30, 2026. Modi dedicated the honor to India’s rich history, the Indian nation and the historic friendship between India and Uzbekistan. The award was accompanied by a major diplomatic breakthrough where the two nations elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Besides, they entered into a long-term agreement for the supply of uranium to India, besides planning to strengthen collaboration in trade, investments, defence, energy and digital connectivity.
What is the Oliy Darajali Do’stlik Order?
The ‘Oliy Darajali Do’stlik’ means Order of Supreme Friendship and it is the highest order of Uzbekistan pertaining to friendship and international collaboration.
While receiving the award, Prime Minister Modi said that the award should be considered an honor for the Indian people and not an individual. The Prime Minister dedicated the award to the millennia-old heritage of India and the 1.4 billion people who live there.
The prime minister also referred to the word “Dostlik”, which means friendship and he called it a fitting representation of the historic ties between India and Uzbekistan.
Strategic Implications of India-Uzbekistan Relations
The award came at a time when the ties between the two countries saw a major strategic push. India and Uzbekistan elevated their ties to that of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Modi’s two-day state visit to Tashkent.
This is a result of increasing collaboration between the two nations in various sectors.
Important sectors of collaboration includes,
- Trade and investment
- Defence and security
- Energy
- Digital connectivity
- Nuclear collaboration
- Regional and international issues
The move is important as it increases India’s engagements with the Central Asian region, which is very important from the point of view of connectivity, energy resources, and geopolitical collaboration.
Why is Uranium Supply Agreement Important?
One of the important agreements made during the visit was the one relating to the long-term supply of uranium to India.
Uranium is a very important component of nuclear power generation. For India, the supply of uranium is very important in order to strengthen its nuclear energy program and energy security.
Thus, the agreement brings a new nuclear energy dimension to India-Uzbekistan relations.
Modi Stresses Common Culture and Global South
On receiving this award from Uzbekistan, PM Modi stressed that there were many common ties between the two nations in terms of culture and history. According to him, this recognition came not only with pride but also responsibility.
Modi further reassured Uzbekistan that India will continue to strengthen the bond between the two nations and fulfill its responsibilities.
India and Uzbekistan will jointly strive to become one voice for the Global South and help make efforts towards the well-being of humankind.
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