Uzbekistan seems to be becoming India's launchpad to Central Asia. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has been to India twice in the last four months. First on a state visit in September and then visiting India last week for the Vibrant Gujarat summit in Gandhinagar. Uzbek Ambassador Farhod Arziev spoke to WION on a range of issues, from India-Uzbekistan connectivity, to trade, and the "dynamic" relationship between the two countries.&nbsp;

WION: How do you see connectivity between the two countries?&nbsp; 
Farhod Arziev: I would like to inform you just before the visit of President (Shavkat Mirziyoyev), we have hosted important event — India-Central Asia Dialogues — at the level of foreign ministers in which foreign minister of Afghanistan also participated. For the first time, such format was created and the meeting took place in Samarkand. And all ministers of FMs of central Asia, India and Afghanistan participated. One of the key items of discussion was to expand areas of connectivity between India and central Asia and use transit potential of Afghanistan. So now, discussion among the parties, among Central Asia and India is going on to increase the connectivity opportunities which will create new corridors between Uzbekistan, central Asia and India. We see great transit potential of Afghanistan in this regard. And we believe this will have practical implication and it will be beneficial for all parties.&nbsp;

WION: How do you see the role of Chabahar port?&nbsp; 
FA: Uzbekistan is not only landlocked but double landlocked. Any projects that can help Uzbekistan to reach the international market, we see positively. The projects like Chabahar creates an opportunity for central Asia. We believe it will play a very important, practical role in expanding trade and economic relations.&nbsp;

WION: How do you see ties between the two countries?&nbsp; 
FA: For the past four months, we have had the highest level visits. The second time our president visited on 17th and 18th January and attended the Vibrant Gujarat investment summit. I would like to stress the intensity of visits at the highest level shows how close and how dynamic the relationship between the two countries is. Our relations are getting closer at various levels — political, economic, trade and cultural. In all areas, it is of a comprehensive character. We had a country pavilion where we showed made-in-Uzbekistan products. Our president gave a speech (at Vibrant Gujarat) to highlight key areas of cooperation. Our president highlighted the importance of connectivity between India and Uzbekistan as a means to expand investment. Idea is to establish a railway line project that can connect Uzbekistan and India via &nbsp;Afghanistan through the Chabahar Port. We believe with expanding connectivity, options on trade and volume of trade will increase. Regional cooperation was also highlighted. &nbsp;&nbsp;

WION: How do you see Investment ties? &nbsp;&nbsp; 
FA:&nbsp;Investment and economic cooperation is an important part of Uzbek-India dialogue. Investment was an important part of the agenda of our president when he came on the state visit last year in October. This time, in his talks with PM Modi, importance of investment cooperation was highlighted separately. And I am happy to inform you as part of the visit, a very important and strategic agreement on the supply of Uzbek uranium to India and exchange of documents took place in front of the two leaders at the Vibrant Gujarat summit. Also, to encourage investment projects, we have signed an agreement between EXIM Bank of India and State Investment Committee of Uzbekistan. They have inked framework agreement on line of credit. We are talking about a soft loan. We are getting a line of credit at the volume of 200 million US dollars to implement social and infrastructure projects. We are working with the private sector of India. &nbsp;

Uzbekistan seems to be becoming India's launchpad to Central Asia. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has been to India twice in the last four months. First on a state visit in September and then visiting India last week for the Vibrant Gujarat summit in Gandhinagar.

Uzbekistan seems to be becoming India's launchpad to Central Asia. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has been to India twice in the last four months. First on a state visit in September and then visiting India last week for the Vibrant Gujarat summit in Gandhinagar. Uzbek Ambassador Farhod Arziev spoke to WION on a range of issues, from India-Uzbekistan connectivity, to trade, and the "dynamic" relationship between the two countries. WION: How do you see connectivity between the two countries? Farhod Arziev: I would like to inform you just before the visit of President (Shavkat Mirziyoyev), we have hosted important event — India-Central Asia Dialogues — at the level of foreign ministers in which foreign minister of Afghanistan also participated. For the first time, such format was created and the meeting took place in Samarkand. And all ministers of FMs of central Asia, India and Afghanistan participated. One of the key items of discussion was to expand areas of connectivity between India and central Asia and use transit potential of Afghanistan. So now, discussion among the parties, among Central Asia and India is going on to increase the connectivity opportunities which will create new corridors between Uzbekistan, central Asia and India. We see great transit potential of Afghanistan in this regard. And we believe this will have practical implication and it will be beneficial for all parties. WION: How do you see the role of Chabahar port? FA: Uzbekistan is not only landlocked but double landlocked. Any projects that can help Uzbekistan to reach the international market, we see positively. The projects like Chabahar creates an opportunity for central Asia. We believe it will play a very important, practical role in expanding trade and economic relations. WION: How do you see ties between the two countries? FA: For the past four months, we have had the highest level visits. The second time our president visited on 17th and 18th January and attended the Vibrant Gujarat investment summit. I would like to stress the intensity of visits at the highest level shows how close and how dynamic the relationship between the two countries is. Our relations are getting closer at various levels — political, economic, trade and cultural. In all areas, it is of a comprehensive character. We had a country pavilion where we showed made-in-Uzbekistan products. Our president gave a speech (at Vibrant Gujarat) to highlight key areas of cooperation. Our president highlighted the importance of connectivity between India and Uzbekistan as a means to expand investment. Idea is to establish a railway line project that can connect Uzbekistan and India via Afghanistan through the Chabahar Port. We believe with expanding connectivity, options on trade and volume of trade will increase. Regional cooperation was also highlighted. WION: How do you see Investment ties? FA: Investment and economic cooperation is an important part of Uzbek-India dialogue. Investment was an important part of the agenda of our president when he came on the state visit last year in October. This time, in his talks with PM Modi, importance of investment cooperation was highlighted separately. And I am happy to inform you as part of the visit, a very important and strategic agreement on the supply of Uzbek uranium to India and exchange of documents took place in front of the two leaders at the Vibrant Gujarat summit. Also, to encourage investment projects, we have signed an agreement between EXIM Bank of India and State Investment Committee of Uzbekistan. They have inked framework agreement on line of credit. We are talking about a soft loan. We are getting a line of credit at the volume of 200 million US dollars to implement social and infrastructure projects. We are working with the private sector of India.

Uzbek ambassador proposes India-Uzbekistan rail line through Afghanistan, Chabahar port

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Uzbek ambassador proposes India-Uzbekistan rail line through Afghanistan, Chabahar port