NEW DELHI: India and Uzbekistan on Sunday agreed to deepen cooperation in trade and investment, digital connectivity, defence and energy as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held delegation-level talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent, with the two sides seeking to advance their strategic partnership and shared development goals.PM Modi, who is on a two-day state visit to Uzbekistan from August 29 to 30 at the invitation of Mirziyoyev, received a ceremonial welcome before the two leaders held talks on strengthening bilateral ties. The discussions focused on key areas of mutual interest and ways to advance the shared developmental visions of ‘Viksit Bharat’ and ‘Yangi Uzbekistan’, according to the Indian side.The talks came as India and Uzbekistan looked to build on the significant progress made in their strategic partnership in recent years. PM Modi had earlier said the relationship had witnessed significant advancement and expressed his desire to further deepen cooperation in key sectors.
PM Modi attends yoga session in Tashkent
Earlier on Sunday, PM Modi attended a yoga session hosted by the Yoga Federation of Uzbekistan, highlighting the growing people-to-people and cultural ties between the two countries.“Yoga has immense appeal in Uzbekistan. It is bringing people and cultures together and strengthening people-to-people ties between India and Uzbekistan,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a post on X.After the session, PM Modi said Uzbekistan had been a “proud participant” in the first-ever World Yogasana Championship held in Ahmedabad earlier this year. He also noted that some of the medal winners from the championship were present at the yoga session.
PM Modi’s engagements in Uzbekistan
PM Modi arrived in Tashkent on Saturday and was warmly received by Mirziyoyev at the airport. Following his arrival, the prime minister visited Yangi Uzbekistan Park and laid a wreath at the Independence Monument along with the Uzbek president.He later interacted with members of the Indian community at a hotel in Tashkent. The programme featured Kathak and Andijan Polka performances by members of the diaspora, while Uzbek children performed to the Indian song “Ude Jab Jab Zulfe Teri”.The prime minister also watched a fusion performance featuring the tabla alongside traditional Uzbek instruments Doira and Chang, underlining the cultural links between the two countries.
PM Modi to travel to Kyrgyzstan for SCO summit
After concluding his Uzbekistan visit, PM Modi is scheduled to travel from Tashkent to Kyrgyzstan to participate in the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit on August 31 and September 1 at the invitation of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov.
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The summit will mark the 25th anniversary of the SCO. PM Modi is expected to address the gathering and highlight India’s priorities of “Security, Connectivity and Opportunity”.He will also hold bilateral meetings with leaders of SCO member countries on the sidelines of the summit.PM Modi is further scheduled to attend the opening ceremony of the sixth World Nomad Games.The Uzbekistan visit is PM Modi’s fourth trip to the Central Asian country and comes as New Delhi seeks to expand its engagement with the region through greater economic, strategic, energy and connectivity cooperation.
