PM Modi’s Uzbekistan Visit: Uranium, Trade and New Ties

PM Modi’s two-day visit to Uzbekistan from August 29 to 30, 2026, was a big step towards deepening India’s relations with Central Asia. During the discussions between PM Modi and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent, both sides enhanced their cooperation in many spheres such as trade, energy, defence, technology, health care, education, culture, and space. The relation between the two countries was taken to a new level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, while Uzbekistan honoured PM Modi with its Order of Oliy Darajali Do‘stlik. Among other things, a long-term arrangement on uranium supply, cooperation in the field of critical minerals, and support for India’s permanent membership in the UN Security Council were major achievements.

Elevation of India-Uzbekistan Relation to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

The most important diplomatic achievement is upgrading India-Uzbekistan relation to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Here are the list of areas of cooperation,

• Trade and investment
• Energy and critical minerals
• Defence and security
• Digital technology and AI
• Cybersecurity
• Healthcare and pharmaceuticals
• Education
• Space cooperation
• Transport and connectivity

A mechanism involving foreign ministers of both countries will supervise the implementation of agreements.

PM Modi Awarded Order of Oliy Darajali Do‘stlik by Uzbekistan

The Order of Oliy Darajali Do‘stlik was awarded to PM Modi during the visit. This is among the most prestigious awards of Uzbekistan and it was presented for his role in India-Uzbekistan relations.

PM Modi described the award in terms of the bond of friendship shared by the people of the two nations, showing how relations have been strengthened.

Uranium and Critical Minerals Become Key

One of the aspects that became apparent during the visit is the cooperation on energy-related matters. Both India and Uzbekistan decided to collaborate towards a long-term agreement on the supply of uranium.

India’s uranium demand is rising due to its plans for expanding the nuclear power generation in the country. In addition to this, collaboration in the field of nuclear power generation, mining and geology along with critical minerals will also be considered.

Critical minerals have gained importance in recent times due to their use in technologies, clean energy and manufacturing industries.

Trade, Pharma and AI Agenda Points

Both India and Uzbekistan plan to expand and diversify the scope of their bilateral trade by overcoming any non-tariff barriers and difficulties that exist in investment spheres. These issues will be discussed in the frame of the Joint Working Group where there are several promising areas like engineering goods, electrical products, automobiles and pharmaceuticals.

Technological cooperation is becoming more relevant too. India and Uzbekistan plan to foster cooperation between IT parks, start-ups, companies and educational establishments in the sphere of artificial intelligence.

Indian pharmaceutical industry is also gaining its potential in Uzbekistan through cooperation in public health, biomedical research, innovation and manufacturing.

Education, Culture and Tourism cooperation

Education remains one of the important channels of people-to-people contact for the two countries. About 2,700 citizens of Uzbekistan have been beneficiaries of India’s ITEC programme, and 400 students from Uzbekistan have been granted scholarships under ICCR, including AYUSH scholarships.

The new Lal Bahadur Shastri Scholarship for Hindi Language has been offered to Uzbekistan.

Culture and tourism cooperation will continue through such programs as Cultural Exchange Programme 2026-2030 and Tourism Cooperation Programme 2026-2028. Training of yoga instructors and cooperation in traditional medicine is also planned.

Environmental Cooperation at the Aral Sea and Buddhist Heritage Conservation

Environment is the issue which has gained much attention during the visit. India will extend $1 million along with technical assistance for ecological rehabilitation and greening initiatives of the Aral Sea Region. This programme is linked with Uzbekistan’s Yashil Makon and Indian “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaigns.

The two sides also agreed on cooperation in the field of conserving and restoring ancient Buddhist temples of Fayaz Tepe and Karatepa.

Defence, Outer Space and Diplomacy on the World Stage

Military relations between India and Uzbekistan are expected to proceed, with the joint military exercise of Dustlik set to take place. Security talks touched upon such topics as terrorism, organized crime, illicit drug trafficking and cybersecurity.

Furthermore, both nations decided to extend their cooperation in the peaceful exploration of outer space, in particular through scientific data exchange, applications, education and joint seminars.

Internationally speaking, Uzbekistan reiterated its support for India’s membership in the United Nations Security Council.