3 days ago

India, Uzbekistan Upgrade Ties, Advance Trade and Security Cooperation

India and Uzbekistan decided to make their partnership much stronger.

They gave the relationship a new name: a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Uzbekistan again said it supports India getting a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

The countries will create a group led by their foreign ministers to check that agreements are carried out on time.

They also want to work toward a Preferential Trade Agreement.

Their trade is already worth more than USD 1 billion, and they hope to reach USD 5 billion by 2030.

The two countries agreed to cooperate more closely against terrorism and in defense.

They will also work together on investment, digital trade and international issues.

Key facts

Bilateral relationship: Elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, marking 15 years of the existing strategic partnership.
UN Security Council: Uzbekistan reaffirmed support for India’s bid for permanent membership.
Oversight mechanism: A Foreign Ministers-led mechanism will provide high-level oversight and monitor priority initiatives and projects.
Trade agreement: The countries agreed to take time-bound steps toward a Preferential Trade Agreement after a Joint Feasibility Study.
Trade target: Bilateral trade has crossed USD 1 billion and is targeted to reach USD 5 billion by 2030.
Economic cooperation: A Joint Working Group will address non-tariff barriers and investment hurdles, while both sides pursue cooperation in digital trade, payments and manufacturing.
Security cooperation: The countries reaffirmed zero tolerance for terrorism and agreed to deepen law-enforcement, intelligence-sharing and defense cooperation.

firstpost.com · 3 days ago

republicworld.com · 3 days ago