India secures long-term uranium supply arrangement with Uzbekistan during PM Modi visit
India and Uzbekistan have agreed to establish a long-term arrangement for the supply of uranium, marking a significant development in bilateral energy cooperation during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to the Central Asian nation.
The announcement came after PM Modi held talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent on Sunday. The two leaders discussed expanding cooperation across energy, trade, investment, defence and connectivity, while also moving to elevate bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
Uranium supply to support India’s nuclear energy plans
PM Modi said the long-term uranium supply arrangement would be among the key outcomes of his discussions with President Mirziyoyev.
The agreement comes as India seeks to substantially expand its nuclear power capacity and secure reliable fuel supplies for its growing civilian nuclear energy programme.
India has been diversifying its uranium supply sources as it looks to expand nuclear generation as part of its broader clean-energy strategy. Uzbekistan, which has significant uranium resources, is therefore emerging as an important partner in this area.
The two countries are working towards establishing a framework for long-term uranium supplies, according to the Indian side.
PM Modi conferred Uzbekistan’s highest state honour
PM Modi was conferred the Order of ‘Oliy Darajali Dustlik‘, Uzbekistan’s supreme state award, by President Mirziyoyev, which he dedicated to the ‘enduring‘ bond between India and Uzbekistan. This marks the 36th international award received by PM Modi.
India, Uzbekistan upgrade strategic partnership
The uranium arrangement was part of a broader push to deepen India-Uzbekistan relations.
During the talks, the two sides agreed to elevate their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, signalling a wider expansion of cooperation beyond energy.
Trade and investment, digital connectivity, defence and other areas were also discussed during the delegation-level talks. The two countries have set an ambitious target of taking bilateral trade to $5 billion by 2030.
Uzbek President Mirziyoyev said bilateral trade crossed the $1 billion mark last year for the first time, while the number of joint ventures between the two countries has increased significantly in recent years.
Focus on cities, connectivity and people-to-people ties
Urban development also featured in the discussions, with PM Modi highlighting Gujarat’s GIFT City as a potential model for Uzbekistan’s New Tashkent project.
India has offered to host an Uzbek delegation to study the planning, technology and implementation behind GIFT City.
The two countries are also finalising three sister-city and sister-state agreements, with PM Modi calling for clear roadmaps to ensure such partnerships translate into tangible outcomes rather than remaining limited to formal agreements.
Connectivity between the two countries has also improved, with 14 direct flights operating each week, according to President Mirziyoyev.
Uzbekistan to ease travel for Indian citizens
In another major development, Uzbekistan is set to remove visa requirements for Indian citizens travelling for stays of up to 30 days.
The move is expected to facilitate tourism, business travel and greater people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
Cultural links were also highlighted during the visit, with both sides pointing to institutions such as the Lal Bahadur Shastri Centre for Indian Culture and the Mahatma Gandhi Centre for Indian Studies. Yoga has also gained popularity in Uzbekistan, further strengthening cultural ties.
PM Modi’s Central Asia outreach continues
PM Modi’s Uzbekistan visit is the first leg of his four-day Central Asia tour. After concluding his engagements in Tashkent, he is scheduled to travel to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, where he will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.
The visit comes as India seeks to strengthen its strategic engagement with Central Asia, with energy security, connectivity, trade and regional cooperation emerging as key areas of focus.
The long-term uranium supply arrangement with Uzbekistan adds an important energy dimension to India’s expanding engagement with the region.
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