Ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit next week, the Uzbekistan Ambassador to India Dilshod Akhatov has said that Tashkent supports events and initiatives under India's SCO presidency.

Speaking to WION’s diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, ambassador Akhatov said, “The ongoing Indian Presidency of the SCO has shown that the Organisation is transforming into one of cultural-humanitarian and transport-economic cooperation.”&nbsp;India became a member of the grouping in 2017, and for the first time is chairing the group. It will be holding a virtual summit of the grouping on July 4.&nbsp;

The ambassador explained that SCO is a “key platform for India's interaction with Central Asia” and added, “SCO is a key platform for India's interaction with Central Asia.”

Iran will become a full member of the grouping during this year’s summit. Uzbekistan was the previous chair of the grouping and hosted the summit in Samarkand in September of 2022.

WION: How do you see the SCO Presidency of India?

Dilshod Akhatov: India, during its Presidency, also paid special attention to promoting partnerships in various fields, building trust and cooperation among the members of the Organization. International events under the Indian Chairmanship, in their essence and content, covered all key areas of relations between the countries of the region: economy, tourism, education, science, medicine, culture, etc. I remember well such events as the SCO Film Festival, SCO Cultural Showcase at the Surajkund Mela, the International Fusion Music Festival, conferences of young scientists, specialists in traditional medicine, discussion of start-up projects and much more. Tashkent supports India's initiatives put forward during these events. In general, the ongoing Indian presidency of the SCO has shown that the Organization is transforming into cultural-humanitarian and transport-economic cooperation. This approach undoubtedly serves to bring the SCO Member States closer together, reinforce mutual trust and respect with partner countries, and to ease tensions and build good neighbourly relations between countries with which they have clashes of interest. This approach will remain on the foreign policy agenda of the SCO Member States in the near future. First time, India has led this dynamically developing international structure, thereby starting a cycle of chairmanship with the participation of its new member states within the framework of the SCO.

WION: How do you see SCO as a platform that brings together, India and Central Asia?

Dilshod Akhatov: It is also very important for us that the SCO is a key platform for India's interaction with Central Asia. In the prospects for the development of mutually beneficial cooperation, interconnectedness plays a special role. As you know, connectivity has emerged as a crucial factor in promoting economic integration and fostering regional cooperation. The SCO, comprising eight Member States, recognizes the significance of connectivity in achieving its goals of regional stability, economic development, and people-to-people exchanges. I would like to recall that at the last SCO summit in Samarkand, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on the SCO member countries to provide transit access to each other and spoke in favour of expanding cooperation to ensure the sustainability of supply chains for the region. In this sense, the importance of efforts to use the port of Chabahar in Iran, a country that is also becoming a full member of the Organization, is multiplied. As noted by the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev in his speech at the “Voice of Global South” Summit in January 2023, our country fully supports the development of the “North-South” international corridor, which is one of the leading transport arteries in the Eurasian region and also promoted by India.

WION: You were the previous President of the grouping, so how do you view the initiatives taken under your Presidency?

Dilshod Akhatov: For Uzbekistan, this is also significant in that Delhi took over the Chairmanship from Tashkent. During the Presidency of our country last year, more than 80 major international events were successfully held at various levels. Despite the fact that this was the first Presidency of the SCO for India, the country has organized over 100 important events covering all facets of cooperation that are on the Organization's agenda. The SCO summit took place in Samarkand in 2022. As the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized, historically Samarkand has been a melting pot of ideas and knowledge. Overall, in the 22nd Summit of the Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in September 2022 in Samarkand, the Heads of States approved a lot of various decisions and agreements. The decisions concern the Comprehensive Action Plan for 2023-2027 for implementation of provisions of the Treaty on Long-term Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation, to develop Interconnectivity and Greate Efficient Transport Corridors.

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Ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit next week, the Uzbekistan Ambassador to India Dilshod Akhatov has said that Tashkent supports events and initiatives under India's SCO presidency.

Ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit next week, the Uzbekistan Ambassador to India Dilshod Akhatov has said that Tashkent supports events and initiatives under India's SCO presidency. Speaking to WION’s diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, ambassador Akhatov said, “The ongoing Indian Presidency of the SCO has shown that the Organisation is transforming into one of cultural-humanitarian and transport-economic cooperation.” India became a member of the grouping in 2017, and for the first time is chairing the group. It will be holding a virtual summit of the grouping on July 4. The ambassador explained that SCO is a “key platform for India's interaction with Central Asia” and added, “SCO is a key platform for India's interaction with Central Asia.” Iran will become a full member of the grouping during this year’s summit. Uzbekistan was the previous chair of the grouping and hosted the summit in Samarkand in September of 2022. WION: How do you see the SCO Presidency of India? Dilshod Akhatov: India, during its Presidency, also paid special attention to promoting partnerships in various fields, building trust and cooperation among the members of the Organization. International events under the Indian Chairmanship, in their essence and content, covered all key areas of relations between the countries of the region: economy, tourism, education, science, medicine, culture, etc. I remember well such events as the SCO Film Festival, SCO Cultural Showcase at the Surajkund Mela, the International Fusion Music Festival, conferences of young scientists, specialists in traditional medicine, discussion of start-up projects and much more. Tashkent supports India's initiatives put forward during these events. In general, the ongoing Indian presidency of the SCO has shown that the Organization is transforming into cultural-humanitarian and transport-economic cooperation. This approach undoubtedly serves to bring the SCO Member States closer together, reinforce mutual trust and respect with partner countries, and to ease tensions and build good neighbourly relations between countries with which they have clashes of interest. This approach will remain on the foreign policy agenda of the SCO Member States in the near future. First time, India has led this dynamically developing international structure, thereby starting a cycle of chairmanship with the participation of its new member states within the framework of the SCO. WION: How do you see SCO as a platform that brings together, India and Central Asia? Dilshod Akhatov: It is also very important for us that the SCO is a key platform for India's interaction with Central Asia. In the prospects for the development of mutually beneficial cooperation, interconnectedness plays a special role. As you know, connectivity has emerged as a crucial factor in promoting economic integration and fostering regional cooperation. The SCO, comprising eight Member States, recognizes the significance of connectivity in achieving its goals of regional stability, economic development, and people-to-people exchanges. I would like to recall that at the last SCO summit in Samarkand, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on the SCO member countries to provide transit access to each other and spoke in favour of expanding cooperation to ensure the sustainability of supply chains for the region. In this sense, the importance of efforts to use the port of Chabahar in Iran, a country that is also becoming a full member of the Organization, is multiplied. As noted by the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev in his speech at the “Voice of Global South” Summit in January 2023, our country fully supports the development of the “North-South” international corridor, which is one of the leading transport arteries in the Eurasian region and also promoted by India. WION: You were the previous President of the grouping, so how do you view the initiatives taken under your Presidency? Dilshod Akhatov: For Uzbekistan, this is also significant in that Delhi took over the Chairmanship from Tashkent. During the Presidency of our country last year, more than 80 major international events were successfully held at various levels. Despite the fact that this was the first Presidency of the SCO for India, the country has organized over 100 important events covering all facets of cooperation that are on the Organization's agenda. The SCO summit took place in Samarkand in 2022. As the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized, historically Samarkand has been a melting pot of ideas and knowledge. Overall, in the 22nd Summit of the Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in September 2022 in Samarkand, the Heads of States approved a lot of various decisions and agreements. The decisions concern the Comprehensive Action Plan for 2023-2027 for implementation of provisions of the Treaty on Long-term Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation, to develop Interconnectivity and Greate Efficient Transport Corridors. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Indian presidency of SCO strengthens regional cooperation: Uzbek envoy Dilshod Akhatov

Uzbekistan's ambassador, Dilshod Akhatov has announced that his country will undertake a referendum on 30th April on the new constitution which will be "much more comprehensive, much more practical and human centric". To achieve this, the country's Constitutional Commission has studied over 400 international documents and the constitutions of more than 190 countries, including India. In a conversation with our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Ambassador Dilshod talked about India's Shanghai Cooperation Organisation or SCO Presidency and highlighted that the "Indian chairmanship is very, very intensive and active" and Uzbek delegations will be participating in upcoming SCO Defence and foreign minister meetings in India. The SCO Defence Ministers meet will take place in the last week of this month in Delhi and foreign ministers in the first of next month in Goa. Uzbekistan was the previous chair of the grouping and handed over the presidency to India last year.

India's SCO chairmanship INTENSIVE and ACTIVE, says Uzbek Ambassador Dilshod Akhatov

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