On the occasion of Uzbekistan’s Independence Day, India once again highlighted the depth and vitality of its bilateral partnership with the Central Asian nation.

External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar extended warm greetings to his counterpart, Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov, conveying India’s felicitations to the government and people of Uzbekistan.

In his message, Jaishankar emphasised that relations between the two countries continue to "deepen and diversify," underscoring the steady upward trajectory of bilateral engagements.

His public message draws attention to the expanding scope of cooperation, which now encompasses trade, cultural exchange, connectivity, health, education, and evolving technological collaboration.

The greetings came shortly after a significant meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit reception. Their interaction reinforced the dynamic and multi-faceted partnership between the two countries.

Prime Minister Modi described the India-Uzbekistan bond as "dynamic," noting that it was expanding across cultural cooperation, economic linkages, and robust people-to-people exchanges.

His remarks, supported by visuals capturing a warm handshake and embrace with President Mirziyoyev, carried both symbolic and diplomatic weight, reflecting the spirit of mutual trust and friendship that underpins the relationship.

Beyond ceremonial exchanges, the interaction was a continuation of ongoing high-level engagement. Just last month, Prime Minister Modi and President Mirziyoyev held a telephonic discussion in which they reviewed the progress of cooperation in several crucial sectors.

The two leaders examined developments in trade and commerce, connectivity initiatives across Central and South Asia, public health exchanges—particularly post-pandemic health security—and the role of new technology in enhancing bilateral cooperation. The discussions also pointed toward a shared vision for regional peace and stability, with dialogue on Afghanistan and broader Central Asian integration forming an integral part of their agenda.

India and Uzbekistan share a historically grounded relationship that stretches back centuries, marked by exchanges along the famed Silk Route, cultural intermingling, and shared traditions in art, literature, and architecture.

Modern diplomatic relations were established soon after Uzbekistan declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, with India being among the first nations to recognise its sovereignty. In March 1992, the two countries formalised diplomatic ties through a protocol signed in Tashkent, beginning a new chapter in their bilateral relationship.

The relationship entered a new strategic phase in 2011 with the formal declaration of a Strategic Partnership. Since then, institutionalised dialogue mechanisms have been established at various levels—ministerial, official, and sectoral—ensuring continuity and follow-up in cooperation initiatives. These include joint commissions, business councils, working groups, and frequent foreign minister-level dialogues.

Both nations have also placed priority on regional and multilateral coordination, engaging through organisations such as the United Nations, G20, BRICS, and the SCO. Their coordination within the SCO framework has been particularly significant, given the organisation’s role in regional security and economic cooperation.

Another major dimension of collaboration is the India-Central Asia framework, which provides a dedicated platform for India to deepen its engagement with the entire Central Asian region, while strengthening bilateral ties simultaneously.

The India-Central Asia Summit, the regular India-Central Asia Dialogue at the foreign ministers’ level, the Joint Working Group on Afghanistan, and the Central Asia Business Council are among the mechanisms that sustain structured and consistent interaction.

These platforms have also allowed India and Uzbekistan to expand not only their economic exchanges but also their regional security cooperation amidst evolving geopolitical challenges.

Today, as Uzbekistan celebrates its Independence Day, the greetings and engagements from India’s top leadership clearly reaffirm New Delhi’s commitment to nurturing a robust and future-oriented partnership with Tashkent.

The trajectory of this relationship reveals a layered and sustained effort to blend history with modern aspirations, creating a cooperative framework that is anchored in trust, mutual benefit, and regional stability.

Looking ahead, India and Uzbekistan are expected to enhance bilateral trade, invest in stronger connectivity corridors linking South and Central Asia, and deepen cooperation in emerging domains such as renewable energy, digital technologies, and skills development.

Based On ANI Report