Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Uzbekistan tomorrow

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming two-day visit to Uzbekistan marks a significant milestone in India's sustained diplomatic outreach to Central Asia, a region of growing strategic importance in New Delhi's foreign policy calculus. The visit, extended at the invitation of Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, comes as part of India's broader 'Connect Central Asia' policy launched in 2012, which seeks to deepen political, economic, and cultural ties with the five Central Asian republics — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. This policy framework was articulated during the first India-Central Asia Dialogue at the foreign minister level, and has since been institutionalized through regular summit-level engagements, including the inaugural India-Central Asia Summit held virtually in January 2022, chaired by PM Modi. Historically, India's ties with Uzbekistan date back to ancient times through the Silk Road, with cultural and civilizational links evident in shared Buddhist heritage, linguistic affinities, and the legacy of figures like Babur, who hailed from the Fergana Valley in present-day Uzbekistan. Post-independence, diplomatic relations were formally established in 1992 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. However, it was the signing of the Strategic Partnership Agreement during President Mirziyoyev's visit to India in October 2018 that elevated bilateral relations to a new level, encompassing cooperation in defence, counter-terrorism, trade, investment, energy, and connectivity. Key stakeholders in this engagement include the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on the Indian side, while Uzbekistan's Presidential Administration, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade play pivotal roles. The delegation-level talks in Tashkent are expected to focus on advancing the India-Uzbekistan Strategic Partnership across multiple pillars: enhancing bilateral trade (which stood at approximately $600 million in 2023, well below potential), operationalizing the Chabahar Port corridor for Afghan and Central Asian connectivity, expanding defence cooperation including joint military exercises like 'Dustlik', and deepening collaboration in pharmaceuticals, IT, and agriculture. The significance for India is multifaceted. Economically, Uzbekistan offers vast natural resources — particularly uranium, gold, and rare earth elements — critical for India's energy security and high-tech manufacturing. Politically, a stable, cooperative Central Asia aligns with India's vision of a multipolar world and counters the expanding influence of extra-regional powers. From a security perspective, Uzbekistan shares a border with Afghanistan, making it a crucial partner in counter-terrorism and radicalization efforts, especially after the Taliban's return to power in August 2021. The visit also reinforces India's commitment to the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a 7,200-km multi-mode network linking India with Central Asia, Russia, and Europe via Iran. Constitutionally, Article 51 of the Directive Principles of State Policy mandates the State to "promote international peace and security" and "foster respect for international law," providing a foundational basis for such diplomatic initiatives. While foreign policy is an executive function under Article 73, parliamentary oversight through the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs ensures accountability. The visit also aligns with India's 'Neighbourhood First' and 'Extended Neighbourhood' doctrines, now extended to Central Asia as a 'strategic neighbourhood'. Looking ahead, this visit is likely to yield concrete outcomes: a new bilateral investment treaty, agreements on digital public infrastructure (leveraging India's UPI and Aadhaar models), and a roadmap for the India-Central Asia Summit mechanism to meet biennially. It may also pave the way for PM Modi's participation in the SCO Summit, where Uzbekistan is a founding member. For aspirants, this visit exemplifies how India leverages historical ties, strategic autonomy, and institutional diplomacy to expand its footprint in a region vital for its long-term security and prosperity.