What happened?
On August 12, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a telephone call from President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. During the conversation, the two leaders reviewed progress in key areas of bilateral cooperation, including trade, connectivity, health, technology, and people-to-people ties. President Mirziyoyev conveyed his warm greetings to Prime Minister Modi and extended felicitations to the people of India on the occasion of the upcoming 79th Independence Day. Both leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments of mutual interest and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the longstanding ties between India and Central Asia.
Why it matters to India
The conversation underscores the importance India places on its strategic partnership with Uzbekistan, a key player in Central Asia. India and Uzbekistan declared their Strategic Partnership in 2011 and have since established several institutional mechanisms for regular engagement at political and official levels. The two countries collaborate in various sectors such as trade, health, and technology, and share historical and cultural ties dating back to ancient times. Today both countries cooperate closely at several multilateral platforms such as the UN, G20, BRICS & SCO. The two sides also engage through the India-Central Asia Summit, India-Central Asia Dialogue, and the Central Asia Business Council. Continued high-level engagement with Uzbekistan supports India’s broader regional strategy in Central Asia, particularly in the context of connectivity, energy security, and regional stability.