India-Uzbekistan Ties: Deepening of Bilateral Relations

India-Uzbekistan Ties: Deepening of Bilateral Relations

Question: PM Modi has embarked on his first visit to C. Asian countries. Discuss the deepening of bilateral ties with Uzbekistan in this context.

- PM Narendra Modi has held talks with Uzbek President Islam Karimov on important bilateral and regional issues such as the situation in Afghanistan

- The 2 nations also inked 3 pacts to facilitate cooperation between foreign offices and boost ties in the field of culture and tourism

- During the course of the talks, the two leaders also discussed ways to enhance strategic, economic and energy ties apart from reviewing key regional issues including those of war torn Afghanistan

- The two leaders also worked to counter the growing threat of extremism and terrorism in the extended and surrounding neighbourhood of the two countries

- India and Uzbekistan have build a strategic partnership based on mutual respect and shared interests

- PM Modi also placed the suggestion that Uzbekistan should become a member of the International North South Transport Corridor

- This is a ship, rail and road route for moving freight between the following nations: India, Russia, Iran, EU and C. Asia.

- The 2 leaders also agreed to boost cooperation in areas of defence and cyber security

- With regard to this, the bilateral JWG on Counter Terrorism will be meeting within the year

- The two leaders also discussed steps to implement the contract for uranium supply from mineral rich Uzbekistan; the pact was signed for 2000 metric tonnes of yellow cake

- The two leaders also worked on boosting cooperation in areas of agriculture, IT and energy

- The Indian PM also sought Uzebekistan’s support for joining the Ashgabat Agreement; the pact is a transit agreement established in the year 2011 between Iran, Oman, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan

- Pacts inked in the field of culture and tourism aim at increasing p2p contacts

- A specially commissioned reproduction of 'Khamsa-i-Khusrau' by the great 13th century sufi poet Amir Khusrau who was born in Uttar Pradesh and whose father hailed from Uzbekistan was gifted to the Uzbek President

- Speedy completion of the Entrepreneurship Development Centre was also stressed

- Partnerships between business communities, companies and enterprises were also formed

- Two sides called for favourable investment conditions for Indian firms in Uzbekistan including framework of SEZs Navoi, Angren and Jizzakh

- Prospects for joint investment projects in sectors such as IT, communications, light industry and pharma were also stressed on

Facts and Stats

- The Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation of May 1993 governs trade relations between India and Uzbekistan

- Features of trade agreements include mutual MFN treatment, promotion of economic, scientific, industrial and technical cooperation

- India and Uzbekistan signed the DTAA in 1993 and BIPPA in 1999

- Bilateral trade increased from USD 79.4 million in 2008 to 124.9 million in 2009

- Major export items from Uzbekistan to India include machinery, silver, cotton, silk, non ferrous metals and more. Indian exports to Uzbekistan comprise drugs, paper, wooden products, garments and fabrics, tea, plastic items and more.

- In January 2010, 17 Indian firms and companies were accredited under Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations Investments and Trade of Uzbekistan

- 53 firms and companies have been formed in Uzbekistan with Indian investments and 11 of these have 100% foreign capital