India and Uzbekistan elevate ties to comprehensive strategic partnership during PM Modi's Tashkent visit

Key facts

• India and Uzbekistan elevated their bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership during PM Modi's visit to Tashkent on August 31, 2026.
• The two countries set a target of $5 billion in annual bilateral trade by 2030, up from the current level of over $1 billion.
• India and Uzbekistan agreed to establish a framework for the long-term supply of uranium from Uzbekistan to India.
• PM Modi and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev witnessed the exchange of 11 agreements covering mining, culture, education, and tourism.
• An MoU between India's ministry of mines and Uzbekistan's ministry of mining industry and geology will focus on cooperation in mineral resources, including rare earths.
• India's NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) signed a commercial agreement with Uzbekistan's National Interbank Processing Centre JSC (NIPC) to enable Indian UPI apps to scan national QR codes for merchant payments in Uzbekistan.
• Uzbekistan introduced a 30-day visa-free regime for Indian citizens during PM Modi's visit.
• Mirziyoyev conferred Uzbekistan's highest honour for foreign leaders, the Oliy Darajali Do'stlik Order, on PM Modi.
• The leaders agreed to promote direct linkages, co-production, and co-development between their defence industries.
• PM Modi said India and Uzbekistan share a resolve to adopt a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism, extremism, and separatism.