New Delhi, June 6, 2025 – In a strong reaffirmation of their growing strategic partnership, India and Uzbekistan have pledged to deepen bilateral ties across sectors like trade, connectivity, energy, and counter-terrorism. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar met with his Uzbek counterpart Bakhtiyor Saidov in New Delhi on Thursday, ahead of the 4th edition of the India-Central Asia Dialogue scheduled for June 6.
During their meeting, both leaders acknowledged terrorism as a shared regional challenge and emphasized the urgency of closer coordination to combat this common threat. “Spoke about the common challenge of terrorism for our regions,” Jaishankar posted on X (formerly Twitter), sharing an image from the meeting. “Also discussed our cooperation in connectivity, investment, trade and energy sectors. Concluded a Program of Cooperation, reflective of our commitment to further our Strategic Partnership.”
Adding substance to their talks, India and Uzbekistan signed a Programme of Cooperation between their Foreign Ministries for 2025-2026, laying the groundwork for expanded diplomatic and policy coordination in the years ahead.
Saidov, reflecting on the meeting, noted that the discussions were guided by “ambitious goals set by the leaders of two nations to elevate bilateral trade and enrich dynamically expanding ties.” In a social media post, he emphasized the deep historical and cultural bonds that underpin current Indo-Uzbek relations, calling them “a robust strategic partnership.”
Strategic Dialogue with a Broader Vision
Saidov is in India to participate in the fourth edition of the India-Central Asia Dialogue, a multilateral initiative that brings together the Foreign Ministers of India and five Central Asian nations — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal welcomed Saidov’s arrival in Delhi and highlighted the significance of the visit. “Warm welcome to FM @FM_Saidov of the Republic of Uzbekistan. During his official visit to India, he will participate in the 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue and hold several bilateral meetings,” Jaiswal posted on X.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the Dialogue serves as a vital platform for enhancing political, economic, developmental, and security cooperation between India and Central Asian nations. The previous (third) edition of the dialogue was held in December 2021 in New Delhi, and the inaugural India-Central Asia Summit was held virtually in January 2022.
The fourth edition will focus on strengthening partnerships in key areas including trade, regional connectivity, technology cooperation, and development partnerships. It will also serve as a forum for addressing shared security challenges and aligning approaches on regional and global issues of mutual concern.
India’s Extended Neighbourhood Policy in Action
The India-Central Asia Dialogue is a flagship initiative that embodies India’s “Extended Neighbourhood” policy — a diplomatic effort aimed at nurturing strong relations with Central Asia, a region with which India shares centuries-old civilizational links.
India and the Central Asian republics enjoy rich people-to-people ties rooted in history, language, and culture. Today, those ancient connections are being reshaped into 21st-century strategic and economic partnerships.
This multilateral initiative has gained increased importance in the context of global shifts in power dynamics, energy cooperation, and new geopolitical challenges — particularly in the wake of instability in Afghanistan and the growing importance of alternate connectivity routes like the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and Chabahar Port.
Looking Ahead
The Jaishankar-Saidov meeting has set a positive tone ahead of the larger multilateral discussions on June 6. Both countries are expected to continue aligning on core priorities like counter-terrorism cooperation, infrastructure connectivity, and smoother trade routes between South and Central Asia.
With the Programme of Cooperation now signed, India and Uzbekistan look set to take their bilateral engagement to the next level, anchored in mutual respect, regional security, and economic ambition.
As the world watches regional powers recalibrate their partnerships, India and Uzbekistan’s warm handshake in Delhi could be a signal of a stronger, more interconnected Eurasian future.
