India-Uzbekistan Eye $5 Billion Trade, Uranium Talks Get the Billion-Dollar Treatment

India and Uzbekistan on Sunday elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev holding talks focused on strengthening economic, energy and strategic cooperation. One of the key outcomes of the meeting was an agreement to work towards establishing a frame work for the long term supply of uranium to India. The discussions also set an ambitious target of taking bilateral trade between the two countries to USD 5 billion by 2030. The developments came after Prime Minister Modi met President Mirziyoyev in Tashkent for bilateral talks. The two leaders reviewed the progress of India-Uzbekistan relations and discussed ways to expand cooperation across several areas. The elevation to a comprehensive strategic partnership marks a significant step in the relationship between the two countries. Both sides are looking to deepen engagement not only in trade and investment but also in areas linked to energy security and long term economic cooperation. Focus on Long Term Uranium Supply Energy cooperation emerged as an important component of the discussion, with India and Uzbekistan discussing the possibility of creating a framework for the long term supply of uranium to India. For India, securing reliable long-term energy resources is an important part of its broader energy strategy. The proposed framework could therefore become a significant element of the expanding bilateral relationship, subject to further discussions and agreements between the two governments. $5 Billion Trade Target by 2030 Alongside energy cooperation, both countries set a bilateral trade target of $5 billion by 2030. The target reflects an effort to expand commercial ties and encourage greater cooperation between Indian and Uzbek businesses. Increasing trade could provide opportunities across sectors while strengthening the economic foundation of the strategic partnership. Achieving the target, however, will depend on sustained efforts to expand market access, investment and business to business cooperation. Modi Receives Uzbekistan Highest Award During his visit, Prime Minister Modi was also conferred Uzbekistan highest award for foreign leaders, the Oliy Darajali Do’stlik Order. Accepting the honour, Modi dedicated it to the enduring bond between India and Uzbekistan. The award was presented as a reflection of the close relationship between the two countries and their effort to strengthen bilateral tie. The meeting between Modi and Mirziyoyev therefore combined symbolic diplomacy with concrete economic and strategic objectives, ranging from energy cooperation to a multi billion dollar trade ambition. With the relationship now elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership, both sides are expected to focus on translating the commitments announced during the talks into sustained cooperation over the coming year.