Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, marking the first leg of his four-day Central Asia tour. During his visit, PM Modi is expected to hold high-level talks with Uzbekistan’s leadership, with trade and investment, defence cooperation, digital connectivity, energy, education and people-to-people ties high on the agenda.

The visit comes as India and Uzbekistan look to deepen their strategic partnership and expand cooperation across key sectors. Discussions are also expected to focus on strengthening connectivity and setting a roadmap for the next phase of bilateral relations.

After Uzbekistan, PM Modi will travel to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of State Summit. Regional security, counterterrorism, connectivity, economic cooperation and stronger engagement with Central Asia are expected to remain key priorities for India.

PM MODI ARRIVES IN TASHKENT | Modi Begins 4-Day Central Asia Tour With Uzbekistan Visit

PM MODI IN UZBEKISTAN: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, for a two-day visit aimed at strengthening India-Uzbekistan bilateral relations.

PM Modi was welcomed by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, with the two leaders set to hold discussions on a wide range of issues of mutual importance.

The visit will focus on the entire spectrum of India-Uzbekistan relations, including their longstanding civilizational and people-to-people ties. Key areas of cooperation include trade and investment, defence, digital connectivity, energy, education and people-to-people exchanges.

Tashkent has been decorated with Indian flags ahead of the Prime Minister's visit, reflecting the importance attached to the bilateral relationship.

During his visit, PM Modi is also scheduled to visit Yangi Uzbekistan Park and participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Independence Monument, a traditional diplomatic gesture of respect.

The Yangi Uzbekistan Park spans approximately 104 hectares and is described as one of the country's major recreational spaces.

PM Modi in Uzbekistan | PM Narendra Modi Arrives In Tashkent For Two-Day Visit 

Even as India and Uzbekistan have seen increased high-level exchanges, New Delhi has been invited to an international connectivity summit from July 15 and 16 which will take place in the Uzbek capital Tashkent.

Connectivity has been a key focus point of talks between the two countries and both India and Uzbekistan are already engaging on the Chabahar project. They formed a core group involving Iran, India and Uzbekistan on Chabahar port after the virtual summit between PM Modi and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in December 2020. Chabahar port in Iran is key to India's connectivity westwards and New Delhi has heavily invested in it.

Speaking to WION, Uzbek envoy to India, Dilshod Akhatov said, "Chabahar is a very important port. An important route for us in connectivity in the trade area, for our regions and between Uzbekistan and India. This was also discussed during the virtual summit between our leaders. We created a trilateral working group and to discuss the possibility of joint use of the port."

Uzbekistan had earlier announced its intent to join the international north-south transport corridor that connects Mumbai to Moscow. The invite for the mega connectivity summit was personally handed over by Uzbek foreign minister Abdulaziz Kamilov during his Delhi visit from February 24 to 25.

Uzbek envoy to India, Dilshod Akhatov said, "the main goal of the summit is to elevate the cooperation between two regions and countries of two neighbouring regions into a new level. Elevation of close historical ties between the region in a mutually beneficial manner in areas like economic, trade, investment, transport, innovations and technologies, culture, tourist exchanges and security areas."

The international conference named "Central Asia and South Asia regional connectivity: Challenges and opportunities" is being organized which is the initiative of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The summit will have three common themes of discussion - economic, cultural, security- connectivity and aims to refresh historical ties. This is the first such initiative to bring leaders of central and South Asia together.

The summit will focus on connectivity between Central Asia and South Asia. The heads of states, governments and ministers of foreign affairs of Central and South Asia and other foreign countries, heads of leading international organizations, financial institutions, investment funds and companies as well as world research and analytical centres will be invited to the summit.

All leaders of both the regions, including the leadership and representatives of Russia, Iran, China, the US, and the EU will be invited to the summit.

Uzbekistan is the only central Asian country with which India has held a virtual summit so far. In strategic space and defense both sides are set to increase engagement. India and Uzbekistan are holding military exercises Dustlik-2 from March 9 to 21 Chaubatia, Uttarakhand.&nbsp;

Indian PM Narendra Modi had visited Uzbekistan twice, the first being &nbsp;2015 and the second in 2016. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also visited India twice in 2018 and in 2019. Uzbekistan is the only country in the region to host two private Indian universities.&nbsp;

The Bukhara state medical institute opened its branch at a university in Noida. An MoU on cooperation has been signed between Gujarat and the Andijan region of Uzbekistan and next in the line is India's Haryana state and Fergana.

Amid the pandemic, the air bubble agreement has also been given a green light to restart air travel between the two countries.&nbsp;

Recently the chief of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations(ICCR) Vinay Sahasrabuddhe had visited Uzbekistan to increase the cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Even as India and Uzbekistan have seen increased high-level exchanges, New Delhi has been invited to an international connectivity summit from July 15 and 16 which will take place in the Uzbek capital Tashkent.

Even as India and Uzbekistan have seen increased high-level exchanges, New Delhi has been invited to an international connectivity summit from July 15 and 16 which will take place in the Uzbek capital Tashkent. Connectivity has been a key focus point of talks between the two countries and both India and Uzbekistan are already engaging on the Chabahar project. They formed a core group involving Iran, India and Uzbekistan on Chabahar port after the virtual summit between PM Modi and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in December 2020. Chabahar port in Iran is key to India's connectivity westwards and New Delhi has heavily invested in it. Speaking to WION, Uzbek envoy to India, Dilshod Akhatov said, "Chabahar is a very important port. An important route for us in connectivity in the trade area, for our regions and between Uzbekistan and India. This was also discussed during the virtual summit between our leaders. We created a trilateral working group and to discuss the possibility of joint use of the port." Uzbekistan had earlier announced its intent to join the international north-south transport corridor that connects Mumbai to Moscow. The invite for the mega connectivity summit was personally handed over by Uzbek foreign minister Abdulaziz Kamilov during his Delhi visit from February 24 to 25. Uzbek envoy to India, Dilshod Akhatov said, "the main goal of the summit is to elevate the cooperation between two regions and countries of two neighbouring regions into a new level. Elevation of close historical ties between the region in a mutually beneficial manner in areas like economic, trade, investment, transport, innovations and technologies, culture, tourist exchanges and security areas." The international conference named "Central Asia and South Asia regional connectivity: Challenges and opportunities" is being organized which is the initiative of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The summit will have three common themes of discussion - economic, cultural, security- connectivity and aims to refresh historical ties. This is the first such initiative to bring leaders of central and South Asia together. The summit will focus on connectivity between Central Asia and South Asia. The heads of states, governments and ministers of foreign affairs of Central and South Asia and other foreign countries, heads of leading international organizations, financial institutions, investment funds and companies as well as world research and analytical centres will be invited to the summit. All leaders of both the regions, including the leadership and representatives of Russia, Iran, China, the US, and the EU will be invited to the summit. Uzbekistan is the only central Asian country with which India has held a virtual summit so far. In strategic space and defense both sides are set to increase engagement. India and Uzbekistan are holding military exercises Dustlik-2 from March 9 to 21 Chaubatia, Uttarakhand. Indian PM Narendra Modi had visited Uzbekistan twice, the first being 2015 and the second in 2016. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also visited India twice in 2018 and in 2019. Uzbekistan is the only country in the region to host two private Indian universities. The Bukhara state medical institute opened its branch at a university in Noida. An MoU on cooperation has been signed between Gujarat and the Andijan region of Uzbekistan and next in the line is India's Haryana state and Fergana. Amid the pandemic, the air bubble agreement has also been given a green light to restart air travel between the two countries. Recently the chief of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations(ICCR) Vinay Sahasrabuddhe had visited Uzbekistan to increase the cultural exchanges between the two countries.

As ties strengthen, Uzbekistan invites India for mega connectivity summit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uzbek President&nbsp;Shavkat Mirziyoyev will hold a virtual summit on December 11.

This is the first such virtual summit with a Central Asian country, and the 7th in the series of a new format of diplomatic engagement amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

Indian PM has already had virtual summits with his counterparts from--Australia,&nbsp;EU, Sri Lanka, Denmark, Italy, Luxembourg. More such meets are on the anvil, with a virtual summit with Bangladesh expected to happen on the 17th of this month.&nbsp;

A statement released by the&nbsp;ministry of external affairs on the India Uzbekistan virtual summit said, "The leaders will discuss the entire spectrum of the bilateral relationship, including strengthening of India-Uzbekistan cooperation in the post-COVID world. They will also exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest." A number of Government-to-Government agreements will be signed at the summit.&nbsp;

Both India and&nbsp;Uzbekistan&nbsp;have had close ties and a high-level of engagements. Indian Prime Minister had visited the doubly landlocked central Asian country in 2015 and 2016, followed by visits of Uzbek President Mirziyoyev to India in 2018 and 2019.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev will hold a virtual summit on December 11. This is the first such virtual summit with a Central Asian country, and the 7th in the series of a new format of diplomatic engagement amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev will hold a virtual summit on December 11. This is the first such virtual summit with a Central Asian country, and the 7th in the series of a new format of diplomatic engagement amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. Indian PM has already had virtual summits with his counterparts from--Australia, EU, Sri Lanka, Denmark, Italy, Luxembourg. More such meets are on the anvil, with a virtual summit with Bangladesh expected to happen on the 17th of this month. A statement released by the ministry of external affairs on the India Uzbekistan virtual summit said, "The leaders will discuss the entire spectrum of the bilateral relationship, including strengthening of India-Uzbekistan cooperation in the post-COVID world. They will also exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest." A number of Government-to-Government agreements will be signed at the summit. Both India and Uzbekistan have had close ties and a high-level of engagements. Indian Prime Minister had visited the doubly landlocked central Asian country in 2015 and 2016, followed by visits of Uzbek President Mirziyoyev to India in 2018 and 2019.

India-Uzbekistan virtual summit on December 11, a first with a central Asian country

On ‘The Diplomacy Show’, WION speaks to FARHOD ARZIEV, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to India. Former Indian Diplomat and show host Arun K. Singh talks to Mr. Arziev about India's role in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Central Asia evolving as an economic battleground, cultural similarities between India and Uzbekistan, and the Aral Sea Crisis.

The Diplomacy Show: WION speaks to Farhod Arziev, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to India