Uzbekistan
India and Uzbekistan have relations that go back in history. India was one of the first countries to recognize the state sovereignty of Uzbekistan after the latter’s independence. The protocol on establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Uzbekistan was signed in Tashkent on 18 March 1992. In recent years, there has been significant intensification in bilateral ties. Bilateral relations now encompass a wider canvas, including on political and strategic issues, defence and security, trade and investment, energy, agriculture, S&T, education and people-to-people ties.
Cooperation to tackle the challenge of COVID-19 Pandemic
- India gifted HCQ and Paracetamol tablets sought by Uzbekistan, along with lifting ban on export of essential medicines to fight Covid-19.
- India also conducted e-ITEC programmes for capacity building of medical professionals from Uzbekistan.
- 660,000 doses of Covishield vaccine were delivered from Serum Institute of India to Uzbekistan under the COVAX initiative on 17 March 2021. In India’s fight against the second wave of COVID-19, Uzbekistan provided 100 Oxygen concentrators and 2000 injections of Remdesivir carried by Uzbekistan Airways flight on 1 May 2021 to deliver at New Delhi.
Capacity Building & Other Exchanges
- Uzbekistan has been sending candidates under the ITEC programme since 1993.
- More than 2400 Uzbek professionals have undergone training under ITEC in premiere institutes in India so far.
- 164 slots were utilized in 2019 in regular and specialized courses.
- As per the MoU between Gujarat Forensic Sciences University in Gandhinagar and Ministry of Innovation Development of Uzbekistan, various post-graduate courses are now open for admission to Uzbek students along with training of Uzbek officials in different forensic sciences.
- Uzbek students also avail of ICCR and Kendriya Hindi Sansthan scholarships.
- ICCR under its Atal Bihari Vajpayee General Scholarship Scheme offers 12 slots every year to Uzbekistan to pursue higher studies in India.
- Head of South Asian Languages Department, Dr. Sirojiddin S. Nurmatov was conferred ICCR Distinguished Alumni Award - 2017 in New Delhi (13 April 2018).
- ICCR Chairs has established in Uzbekistan:-
- Indian Studies Chair at Samarkand State Univeristy
- Indian Studies Chair at University of World Economy and Development.
- Hindi Chiar at Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies.
- There are also scholarships under AYUSH and short-term scholarships for music and dance, in addition to two annual scholarships for one-year course in Hindi by KHS Agra. Regularly, Hindi and Urdu teachers are getting support of the Lal Bahadur Shastri Centre for Indian Culture (LBSCIC) for attending refresher courses/participating in International Conferences/Vishwa Hindi Diwas.
- Indian faculty and scholars visit Uzbek institutions as guest lecturers and for research and conferences. The Samarkand State University has set up an Indian Study Centre, which is headed at present by a senior professor from India.
- Bukhara State University, Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies have also opened an India Room with IT instruments installed in it. The rooms will be equipped with books, musical instruments, dresses, artifacts with assistance of GOI, depicting various facets of Indian culture.
Development Cooperation (Grants/ LoCs/ Assistance)
- In response to a request for LOC of USD 1 billion by the Uzbek Government, a Line of Credit Agreement for USD 200 million for construction of affordable housing and social infrastructure projects was signed between the State Investment Committee of Uzbekistan and the EXIM Bank in January 2019.
- India has also conveyed an offer for additional USD 800 million as Line of Credit/Buyers Credit to Uzbekistan. The Uzbek side had identified 4 projects under LOC so far and has signed an agreement to this effect.
- A Joint Centre for Information Technology was set up in 2006 and upgraded in 2014 with Indian assistance.
- An India-Uzbekistan Entrepreneurship Development Centre (EDC) was inaugurated on 24 December 2018 in Tashkent. An Indian expert has been deputed at EDC for training and capacity building of Uzbek entrepreneurs.
- India has offered grant assistance for implementation of High Impact Community Development Projects to Uzbekistan. Two MOUs were signed in Tashkent on 11 December 2021 at the cost of about USD 2.5 Million under India’s grant assistance.
- Information Technology: The 2nd meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on IT was held in Tashkent alongside the 11th IGC in August 2018. An expert from Software Technology Park of India (STPI) has been deputed to assist with establishment and further expansion of an IT Park in Tashkent. The first phase of IT Park was inaugurated in July 2019.
- Pharmaceutical and Healthcare: This is a high priority for the Uzbek side. The 1st meeting of the JWG on Pharmaceutical and Healthcare was held in Tashkent alongside the 11th IGC in August 2018. Investment by Indian companies in pharma as well as medical care sectors has been a major focus for the Uzbek side.
- e-Governance and ICT: The creation of a Joint Committee on e-Governance and ICT has been envisaged under the MoU signed on 28 September 2018.
- Science &Technology: A Joint Committee on S&T was formed in February 2019 as envisaged under a MoU signed in October 2018.
- In pursuance to the agreement, a Programme of Cooperation in S&T for the period of 2019-22 was signed in October 2019, facilitating joint research, visits of scientists and specialists and fellowships and internships for Uzbeks in premiere Indian scientific institutions.
