PM Modi Receives Uzbekistan’s Highest State Award, ‘Oliy Darajali Do’stlik’, Announces Business And Strategic Initiatives

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred Uzbekistan’s highest honour for foreign leaders, the ‘Oliy Darajali Do’stlik’ Order, by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent on Sunday. The award recognises Modi’s contribution to strengthening India Uzbekistan ties as both countries upgraded their Strategic Partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Accepting the honour, Modi dedicated it to the 1.4 billion people of India, describing it as a symbol of the enduring friendship between the two countries and their civilisations. He said the recognition also carried responsibility for India and Uzbekistan to work together as Global South partners.

Modi praised Mirziyoyev’s warm welcome, saying the celebrations made him feel at home and reminded him of Gujarat. He thanked the Uzbek president for his personal involvement, the banquet and cultural performances, saying it felt as if “Hindustan” had been created in Uzbekistan and his Gujarat had come alive. He also praised Tashkent being illuminated in the colours of the Indian tricolour.

The two countries agreed to raise annual bilateral trade to $5 billion by 2030, from more than $1 billion currently, with greater cooperation on market access, connectivity, banking and payment systems. A business summit will also be organised to deepen investment and commercial ties.

The new partnership covers trade, investment, defence, security, critical minerals, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, education, tourism, space, startups and digital public infrastructure including UPI. A Foreign Ministers led coordination mechanism will guide the partnership, while the Inter Governmental Commission will be upgraded to the ministerial level. Sector specific roadmaps with implementation timelines will also be prepared.

India and Uzbekistan will work towards a long term uranium supply arrangement, while an MoU on geology and mineral resources will strengthen cooperation in mining and critical minerals. Defence industries will explore co development and co production, with both sides stressing cooperation against terrorism, extremism and separatism.

A wide agreement package covers the 2026–2030 Cultural Exchange Programme, higher education and research, Ayurveda and traditional medicine, environmental protection, economic and financial dialogue, archives, and the 2026–2028 Tourism Cooperation Programme. The countries also agreed on archaeological research and conservation of the Buddhist sites of Fayaz Tepa and Kara Tepa.

India and Uzbekistan will expand regional cooperation through Andijan Gujarat, Fergana Haryana and Samarkand Agra partnerships. Bilateral trade crossed $1 billion last year, joint ventures have increased sevenfold and there are 14 direct flights a week. Uzbekistan has also introduced a 30 day visa free regime for Indian citizens.

The cultural push includes regular Days of Culture, concerts, exhibitions, forums and film festivals. Modi attended a Yoga programme and visited the Mahatma Gandhi Centre at Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, where he interacted with Indologists and students. He announced a Lal Bahadur Shastri Scholarship for Hindi language for Uzbek students and an ICCR Sanskrit Chair at the university. This year marks 60 years since former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri died in Tashkent. Modi paid a floral tribute at his memorial.

On environmental cooperation, Modi and Mirziyoyev jointly planted a tree under India’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ and Uzbekistan’s ‘Yashil Makon’ initiatives. India also announced a $1 million grant for environmental rehabilitation in the Aral Sea region.

Modi highlighted Uzbekistan’s New Tashkent project and offered to share India’s experience with Gujarat International Finance Tec City. The leaders also discussed cooperation through the UN, SCO and BRICS. Modi will travel to Bishkek next for the 26th SCO Summit.