Uzbekistan, India mull co-op

/By AzerNews/

By Aynur Karimova

Key bilateral and regional issues, including the situation in Afghanistan, were high on the agenda of talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uzbek President Islam Karimov on July 6.

During Modi's visit to Uzbekistan, the two countries discussed ways to enhance strategic, economic, and energy ties apart from reviewing key regional issues.

Following the bilateral talks, President Karimov and Prime Minister Modi adopted a joint statement. The document said the two countries reached understanding on a wide range of issues to further deepen Uzbek-Indian strategic relations, mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in various fields, and international and regional issues of mutual interest.

The two sides reaffirmed their interest in expanding and further strengthening long-term bilateral cooperation covering diverse sectors such as political ties, security, counter-terrorism, trade and investment, science and technology, as well as cultural linkages.

President Karimov noted that strengthening relations with India is one of the top foreign policy priorities of Uzbekistan, while Prime Minister Modi emphasized that a strong strategic partnership between India and Uzbekistan is a key pillar of India’s engagement with Central Asia.

“The sides agreed to maintain regular bilateral consultations and political dialogue through exchange of official visits at the leadership and other levels to promote mutual understanding on bilateral as well as regional and international issues,” the joint statement said.

Noting the importance of adequate and timely responses to threats and challenges to national, as well as regional security, the two sides expressed their intention to strengthen coordination between law enforcement agencies and special services, particularly under the framework of the Uzbekistan-India Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism.

Later, the top officials held a joint press conference, where Modi mentioned that the two countries discussed various initiatives to further enhance connectivity.

“We agreed to intensify security cooperation and exchanges. The bilateral Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism will meet later this year. We also agreed to strengthen cooperation in defense and cyber security.”

He said his discussions with President Karimov were “very productive” and aimed at further deepening ties.

Noting that the two countries have built a strategic partnership, Modi said this includes expanding economic cooperation, combating terrorism, advancing stability in the region, and promoting regional integration.

The two leaders also discussed ways to implement a contract for the supply of uranium from mineral-rich Uzbekistan signed last year. The pact was signed for the supply of 2,000 metric tons of yellow cake.

Modi briefed Karimov about the International North-South Transport Corridor and suggested that Uzbekistan consider joining the project.

The International North-South Transport Corridor is a ship, rail, and road route for moving freight between India, Russia, Iran, Europe, and Central Asia while the Ashgabat Agreement is a transit pact established in 2011 between Uzbekistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, and Oman.

Noting that the pacts inked on June 6 in the field of culture and tourism will bring the people of the two countries closer, Modi said Uzbekistan and India also agreed to expand cooperation in the fields of defense and cyber-security.

The two countries highlighted the importance of promoting long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships among their business communities.

They also called for a partnership in creating the necessary conditions for Indian companies to invest in Uzbekistan, including at the Navoi, Angren and Dzizak special economic zones.

The two countries inked three pacts to boost cooperation between their foreign offices and in culture and tourism.

They recognized that tourism is an important area of bilateral cooperation and agreed to implement practical measures under the framework of the bilateral agreement on cooperation in tourism signed during the visit.

“The sides discussed the situation in Afghanistan and noted that establishment of peace in that country is of great significance to the security and stability of the entire region. They expressed support for a genuine Afghan-owned and Afghan-led process for peaceful reconstruction and revival of the country,” the statement said.

Modi is in Tashkent where he will be attending the BRICS and Shanghai Cooperation Organization summits.

On July 6, Modi began a tour of the five Central Asian nations and Russia, to participate in the BRICS & SCO Summit.

There are over 3,000 Indians in Uzbekistan.

From there, Modi will go to Kazakhstan on July 7. He will then travel to Russia on July 8, before flying to Turkmenistan on July 10, Kyrgyzstan on July 11 and Tajikistan on July 12.