This article covers cultural relations between India and Uzbekistan, the study of Hindi and India in Uzbek universities, Indian universities in Uzbekistan, and the Indian community there. It is based on the MEA brief of April 2026; community and participation figures are those given in that brief and describe the position as of April 2026.

Cinema

According to the MEA brief of April 2026, there is close affinity between the cultures of the two countries. The brief states that Indian films, actors and songs have been extremely popular in Uzbekistan since the era of Raj Kapoor.

Recent film events recorded in the brief include:

  • a 5-day Indian Cinema Week from 17 to 21 December 2024, to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of Raj Kapoor
  • a 4-day Film Festival on the theme 'Sashakt Nari - Celebrating Womanhood', from March 13-16, 2025, showcasing women-centric films from Hindi and regional cinema
  • the 2nd edition of that festival, from March 12-15, 2026

Lal Bahadur Shastri Centre for Indian Culture

The Lal Bahadur Shastri Centre for Indian Culture (LBSCIC) had approximately 384 yoga students and 250 Kathak students attending classes in 2024.

Yoga

The brief describes Yoga as immensely popular in Uzbekistan, with more than 2000 participants attending International Yoga Day. According to the brief, the Yoga Federation of Uzbekistan maintains a close relationship with the Indian Embassy, and two batches of Yoga Volunteers from the Yoga Federation of Uzbekistan (YFU) have been certified by the Ministry of Ayush to teach Yoga.

The 7th International Conference on Yoga, on the theme 'Yoga for One Earth One Health', was held in Tashkent in September 2025, with the participation of Yoga experts from 10 Eurasian countries.

Hindi and India studies

The Indian mission has set up India Study Centres under "Aid to Uzbekistan" in 15 universities of Uzbekistan. Some of these centres have IT instruments installed and are equipped with books, musical instruments, Indian traditional dresses and artefacts.

ICCR has activated two short term 'Chair' positions: at Samarkand State University (Economics) and at Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies (Hindi).

In January 2023, four Uzbek Hindi scholars attended the World Hindi Conference in Nadi (Fiji). Prof. Nilufar Khodjaeva of Tashkent State University for Oriental Studies was awarded the Hindi Samman Award by the External Affairs Minister.

Indian universities in Uzbekistan

The brief names four Indian universities in Uzbekistan:

  • Amity University in Tashkent
  • Sharda University in Andijan
  • Sambhram University in Jizzakh
  • Acharya University in Bukhara

The Indian community

As of the brief, the size of the Indian community in Uzbekistan is estimated at 21,000. This includes:

  • students studying in different universities in Uzbekistan: 16,300
  • workers and business professionals: 4,700

Visitor figures between the two countries are given in the practical article of this guide.