Modi and Mirziyoyev deepen energy ties during Tashkent visit
TASHKENT: India and Uzbekistan have agreed to establish a long-term arrangement for the supply of uranium to India, adding a major energy component to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ongoing visit to the Central Asian nation.
The announcement followed Modi's talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent on Sunday. The agreement is expected to strengthen cooperation in civil nuclear energy while supporting India's long-term energy requirements.
Uranium Supply Becomes Key Part of Bilateral Ties
The long-term uranium arrangement is one of the significant outcomes of Modi's discussions with Mirziyoyev. Uzbekistan is an established uranium-producing country, while India has been seeking reliable international sources of nuclear fuel to support its expanding civilian nuclear programme.
Prime Minister Modi said the two countries would work on arrangements for long-term uranium supplies. The development comes as New Delhi and Tashkent seek to broaden cooperation beyond traditional areas and build stronger strategic and economic links.
India and Uzbekistan Upgrade Strategic Partnership
The uranium agreement was announced alongside a broader decision to elevate India-Uzbekistan relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The two countries have also set an ambitious target of increasing bilateral trade to $5 billion by 2030. Cooperation is expected to expand across energy, infrastructure, digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, space and other sectors.
The two sides also agreed to strengthen institutional mechanisms for coordinating their growing relationship, including a foreign minister-level coordination council.
Energy Cooperation Gets Greater Strategic Focus
The uranium arrangement gives greater importance to energy cooperation within the expanding India-Uzbekistan relationship.
For India, securing dependable nuclear fuel supplies is important as the country looks to expand nuclear power as part of its broader energy strategy. The agreement with Uzbekistan could provide another source of uranium for India's civilian nuclear sector.
The two countries are also exploring cooperation in mining and critical minerals, creating scope for wider collaboration in the resources sector.
Modi's Uzbekistan Visit Strengthens Central Asia Push
Modi's two-day state visit has produced several major outcomes, including the new strategic partnership, the uranium supply arrangement and the $5 billion trade target.
The developments underline India's effort to deepen its engagement with Central Asia through stronger economic, energy and strategic partnerships.
After concluding his Uzbekistan visit, Modi is scheduled to travel to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, where regional security, connectivity and cooperation are expected to feature prominently.
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