India, Uzbekistan ink pacts to boost cooperation

July 7, 2015

India and Uzbekistan have inked pacts to boost cooperation between their foreign offices and in the field of culture and tourism.
The agreements were signed after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his counterpart Islam Karimov, Uzbekistan President had talks on key bilateral and regional issues.
This visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was part of his first leg of strategic tour to 5 Central Asian countries (Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan) and Russia.
Both nations discussed on following issues

Economic and Strategic ties: Enhance strategic, economic and energy ties along with reviewing key regional issues including the situation in Afghanistan.
Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism: To intensify security cooperation and exchanges for combating terrorism, promoting regional integration and advancing stability in the region.
Defence and cyber security: Enhance cooperation in the fields of defence and cyber-security.
Uranium supply contract: Implement the contract which was signed in 2014 for supply of 2,000 metric tonnes of the Uranium from mineral-rich Uzbekistan to India.
Strengthening cooperation: In the areas of information technology, agriculture and energy.
International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC): India asked Uzbekistan to be part of INSTC similar to Ashgabat Agreement which is s a transit pact between Uzbekistan, Iran, Turkmenistan and Oman established in 2011.
It should be noted that INSTC is a ship, road and rail route for moving freight between India, Iran, Russia, Europe and Central Asia.