Uzbekistan, a country in Central Asia, shares its borders with five countries: Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan. These nations, collectively, form a significant region on the world map.
The 13th Session of the India-Uzbekistan Inter-Governmental Commission
Recently, the Union Minister for Commerce & Industry attended the 13th Session of the India-Uzbekistan Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC). IGC serves as a platform to deliberate ideas, discuss issues, and strengthen bilateral relations, especially in the field of trade and investment. The minister emphasized the importance of India-Uzbekistan relations to India’s vision of an integrated extended neighbourhood.
Key Highlights and Focus Areas of the Session
The Minister highlighted several key points during the session, including the need to extend the relations into newer domains such as technology, digital payment solutions, and investment in start-ups. He also stressed the need for an integrated approach towards regional connectivity and cooperation. Seven emerging areas of cooperation were identified: Digital Payments, Space Cooperation, Agri and Dairy, Pharma, Gems and Jewellery, MSME, and Inter-regional cooperation.
India-Uzbekistan Relations: A Historical Overview
India and Uzbekistan have a long history of cooperation that began soon after Uzbekistan’s independence when India was among the first countries to recognise its state sovereignty. Currently, the bilateral relations encompass a variety of realms, including political and strategic issues, defence and security, trade and investment, energy, agriculture, S&T, education, and people-to-people ties.
Initiatives and Mechanisms Strengthening The Relationship
Progress has been made in cooperative initiatives ranging from defence and security to trade, investments, education, tourism, and solar power. The first-ever joint military exercise between India and Uzbekistan was named Dustlik. Additionally, the Uzbek government has extended the e-Visa facility to Indian tourists, making Uzbekistan a significant source of medical tourism for India. In the realm of solar power, Uzbekistan has expressed an interest in joining the International Solar Alliance.
Trade has increased by 38.5%, from USD 247 million in 2019-20 to USD 342 million in 2021-22. Indian investments include pharmaceuticals, amusement parks, automobile components, and the hospitality industry.
Challenges in India-Uzbekistan Relations
Despite the strong relationship between India and Uzbekistan, certain challenges persist. These include a relatively low level of trade and commerce, lack of connectivity due to Uzbekistan being a landlocked country, underdeveloped air connectivity, and China’s influence through its Belt and Road Initiative.
The Way Forward for Strengthening the Relationship
To overcome these challenges and tap into the economic and trade potential of the two countries, Indian companies can utilise Uzbekistan’s trade agreements to implement beneficial joint investment projects. There is a need for increased convergence between the two countries, with Uzbekistan joining the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), which includes both Iran and India, to improve connectivity.
Relevance to UPSC Civil Services Examination
This topic holds relevance for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, as it deals with international relations, a significant portion of the syllabus. A previous year question discussed the consequences of human activities by asking candidates about the shrinking of specific water bodies, including the Aral Sea located between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan due to Soviet irrigation projects. The main question focused on implications of India joining the Ashgabat Agreement.