Why Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister Is in India and Why the Visit Matters
India's engagement with Central Asia is back in focus as Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov begins a four-day visit to New Delhi aimed at expanding cooperation across trade, investment, connectivity, energy and regional security.
The visit comes at a time when India is seeking to strengthen strategic partnerships across Central Asia while boosting economic ties with a region that sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.
Saidov's schedule includes a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu, participation in a business forum, and wide-ranging bilateral talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at Hyderabad House. The discussions are expected to cover political ties, economic cooperation and ways to accelerate bilateral engagement.
The visit builds on a series of high-level exchanges between New Delhi and Tashkent. India and Uzbekistan established diplomatic relations in 1992 and elevated the relationship to a Strategic Partnership in 2011. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev last met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin in September 2025.
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Despite growing political ties, economic engagement remains below potential. Bilateral trade currently stands at around USD 756.6 million, with India ranking among Uzbekistan's top 10 trading partners. India exports pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, vehicle components, optical equipment, mobile phones and frozen buffalo meat, while importing fruits, vegetables, fertilisers, juices and lubricants from Uzbekistan.
The relationship has gathered further momentum after both countries signed a bilateral market access protocol in May this year to support Uzbekistan's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), a move expected to create fresh opportunities for businesses in both countries.
With trade, connectivity and strategic cooperation high on the agenda, the visit is expected to add another layer to India's growing outreach in Central Asia.
(With inputs from ANI)