At the invitation of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Mr. Islam Karimov, the Prime Minister of the Republic of India Mr. Narendra Modi paid an official visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan on 6-7 July 2015.
The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Prime Minister of India held friendly, substantive and constructive discussions. They reached understanding on a wide range of issues to further deepen Uzbekistan-India strategic relations, mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in various fields, as well as international and regional issues of mutual interest.
The Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of India (hereinafter referred to as “the Sides”) reaffirmed their interest in expanding and further strengthening long-term cooperation between India and Uzbekistan, covering diverse sectors such as political ties, security, counter-terrorism, trade and investment, science and technology as well as cultural linkages. Noting that stronger cooperation between India and Uzbekistan contributed to the mutual benefit of the people of both countries and enhanced regional stability and prosperity, the Sides stated the following:
- Welcoming the first ever visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Uzbekistan, President Islam Karimov noted that strengthening relations with India is one of the top foreign policy priorities of Uzbekistan. Prime Minister Narendra 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. They also encouraged greater inter-parliamentary ties as well as business, cultural, educational and other linkages between India and Uzbekistan.
- The Sides reaffirmed that their engagement was based on mutual respect for the developmental model chosen by each country in accordance with its domestic conditions and based on their national interests.
- Noting the importance of adequate and timely responses to threats and challenges to national as well as regional security, the Sides expressed their intention to strengthen coordination between the law enforcement agencies and special services of the two countries, including under the framework of the Uzbekistan-India Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism. They also agreed to expand cooperation in the fields of defence and cyber-security.
- The Sides noted that despite ongoing negative impact of the global financial and economic crisis, both India and Uzbekistan have sustained healthy rates of economic growth, which could enable further development of mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.
- The Sides agreed that despite growth in bilateral trade, the current volume of trade did not correspond to the potential and opportunities that exist in both countries. They agreed to take joint measures to expand and diversify the trade basket.In this context, the Sides noted the importance of promoting long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships among their business communities, companies and enterprises, and agreed to facilitate their participation in exhibitions, trade fairs, business forums and other joint business activities in Uzbekistan and India.
- The Sides called for further promotion of investment cooperation between the two countries. They called for partnership in creating favorable conditions for investment by Indian companies in Uzbekistan, including in the framework of the Special Economic Zones “Navoi”, “Angren” and “Jizzakh”. They noted prospects for joint investment projects in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, light industry, IT and communications.
- The Sides agreed to further develop mutually beneficial cooperation in transport and communications. They noted the perspectives of expanding cooperation in the field of civil aviation connectivity through direct flights between Tashkent and Indian cities. The Sides also agreed to explore various options to enhance surface connectivity between them.
- The Sides stressed the importance of holding regular meetings of the Uzbekistan-India Intergovernmental Commission on Trade-Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation for the implementation of various economic agreements, identification of promising areas and promotion of joint projects in various sectors of economy.
- The Sides noted with satisfaction the ongoing cooperation in Science and Technology, Education and Information and Communication Technologies. They highly appreciated the productive cooperation in the framework of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC) through which the Uzbek specialists are trained at specialized training centers in India.The Sides noted with satisfaction the joint training of Uzbek specialists in information and communication technologies at the Uzbek- Indian Centre of Information Technologies, Tashkent which was modernized recently.
- The Sides emphasized the importance of bilateral cooperation in the sphere of health, medical education and pharmaceuticals and looked forward to conclude an Agreement between the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of India on cooperation in the health sector and medical science.The Sides welcomed the proposal to set up telemedicine links connecting medical institutions in Uzbekistan and India for medical consultations, exchange of experiences and teleconferences.
- The Sides recognize that shared historical and cultural links between the two countries over the centuries provide a firm basis for the development of contemporary Uzbekistan-India relations. The Sides welcomed the signing during the visit, of a new Programme of Cultural Cooperation for the period 2015-2017, and called for its full and timely implementation to expand cultural exchanges. The Sides agreed to expand participation of creative groups of both countries in international festivals held in Uzbekistan and India.
- The Sides recognized tourism as 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 Sides reaffirmed that the United Nations must play a central role in maintaining global peace and security, assisting common development and advancing international cooperation. India and Uzbekistan will continue to strengthen their mutual support and cooperation in the United Nations and other international and regional organizations. The Sides called for comprehensive reforms of the UN structures, first of all, its Security Council, including expansion in both categories of membership. Uzbekistan reaffirmed its support to India’s candidature for permanent membership of the UN Security Council.
- The Sides agreed to further strengthen mutual cooperation under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
- The Sides expressed confidence that the understandings and agreements reached during the visit will further deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries for the well-being of their peoples and mutual prosperity.The Prime Minister of India expressed his gratitude to the President of Uzbekistan and the Uzbek people for the warm welcome and gracious hospitality extended during the visit.The Prime Minister of India invited the President of Uzbekistan to pay a visit to India at his convenience. The dates of the visit shall be agreed through diplomatic channels.
Tashkent
July 06, 2015