India and Uzbekistan are set to deepen their strategic partnership with a long-term uranium supply arrangement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the agreement on Sunday after meeting Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent. The deal could become a major boost for India's nuclear energy plans and help ensure a steady uranium supply for years to come.

"We will also establish a long-term arrangement for the supply of uranium," PM Modi said, flagging it as one of the biggest takeaways from the talks.

The two countries also discussed plans to strengthen cooperation between their cities and states. India and Uzbekistan are finalising three sister-city and sister-state agreements. PM Modi called for a clear roadmap to ensure these partnerships translate into concrete projects and results, rather than remaining limited to signed agreements.

Urban development also featured in the talks. Uzbekistan is developing New Tashkent, a new city being built from the ground up. PM Modi highlighted Gujarat's GIFT City as a possible model for Uzbekistan to study. He also offered to host a delegation from Uzbekistan and showcase the planning, technology and implementation behind GIFT City.

The visit also highlighted the growing economic ties between the two countries. President Mirziyoyev said India remains a "reliable strategic partner" for Uzbekistan. He said bilateral trade crossed the $1 billion mark last year for the first time. Joint ventures between Indian and Uzbek companies have also increased sevenfold compared with a few years ago.

Connectivity between the two countries has also improved. Mirziyoyev said 14 direct flights now operate between India and Uzbekistan every week. Better air connectivity is expected to support tourism, business and wider exchanges between people from both countries.

Cultural cooperation remains another important part of the relationship. Mirziyoyev pointed to the Lal Bahadur Shastri Centre for Indian Culture and the Mahatma Gandhi Centre for Indian Studies. He said both institutions have contributed to stronger people-to-people ties between India and Uzbekistan.

Yoga has also become increasingly popular in Uzbekistan. The country has had a national Yoga Federation since 2018. In June, Uzbekistan hosted a yoga festival that brought participants from several parts of the region. The growing interest in yoga reflects the wider cultural links between the two countries.

Travel between India and Uzbekistan could become easier soon. Uzbekistan plans to remove visa requirements for Indian citizens visiting the country for stays of up to 30 days. Mirziyoyev said the decision would support tourism, business travel and broader people-to-people contact.

The latest developments point to a relationship that is expanding beyond traditional diplomatic ties. Rising trade, more direct flights and easier travel are creating stronger links between the two countries. The uranium agreement also adds a new and important area of cooperation.

India and Uzbekistan already work together in several sectors, including trade, investment, education, pharmaceuticals, information technology and culture. Nuclear energy and urban development are now emerging as additional areas of cooperation. India sees Uzbekistan as an increasingly important partner in Central Asia. 

The visit also brought a significant diplomatic honour for PM Modi. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev conferred the ‘Order of Oliy Darajali Do‘stlik’, Uzbekistan’s highest state honour, on the Indian prime minister. The award recognises the deep and enduring ties between India and Uzbekistan.

PM Modi thanked his "brother" President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for the honour. He said India and Uzbekistan will work together for the welfare of humanity.

PM Modi's visit to Tashkent concludes on August 30. He will then travel to Bishkek for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. The latest talks have produced several key commitments, ranging from long-term uranium supplies to visa-free travel. Both sides now face the task of turning these announcements into concrete outcomes.