This article outlines the diplomatic relationship between India and Uzbekistan: the establishment of relations, the Strategic Partnership, meetings between leaders, ministerial and parliamentary contacts, Foreign Office Consultations, and cooperation in multilateral and regional forums. It is based on the MEA brief of April 2026 and reflects the position described in that brief.

Establishment of relations and the Strategic Partnership

According to the MEA brief of April 2026, India and Uzbekistan have relations that go back to ancient history. India was one of the first countries to recognise the state sovereignty of Uzbekistan after its independence.

The protocol on the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Uzbekistan was signed in Tashkent on 18 March 1992. The two countries declared their Strategic Partnership in 2011. During Prime Minister Modi's State Visit in August 2026, the two leaders elevated it to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The brief states that several institutionalised mechanisms operate at both political and official levels under this partnership to ensure regular interaction.

Leaders' engagements

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited Uzbekistan in July 2015, June 2016 and September 2022, and paid a State Visit to Uzbekistan from 29 to 30 August 2026. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited India in October 2018 and January 2019. A Virtual Summit between the two leaders was held in December 2020.

The Presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan attended the first India-Central Asia Summit on 27 January 2022, in a virtual format.

The two leaders have also met on the sidelines of multilateral events: at COP-28 in Dubai in December 2023, and at the BRICS Summit in Kazan in October 2024. On August 12, 2025 they held a telephone conversation and reviewed developments in the strategic partnership. According to the brief, they last met briefly in September 2025, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China. They have since held talks in Tashkent during Prime Minister Modi's State Visit from 29 to 30 August 2026.

Ministerial engagements

The Foreign Ministers of the two countries have met on the sidelines of the India-Central Asia Dialogue and SCO meetings, among others. Their last meeting, as of the brief, was on the sidelines of the Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington D.C. in February 2026. The two Foreign Ministers met again in New Delhi on 03 August 2026, during Mr. Saidov's visit to India. The brief adds that Speakers of Parliament have also met their counterparts.

Foreign Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Mr. Bakhtiyor Saidov visited India in June 2025 to participate in the 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue. He held a bilateral meeting with EAM and, with the other Central Asian Foreign Ministers, called on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The two Foreign Ministers also held a telephone conversation in January 2026.

Parliamentary contacts

A delegation led by the Speaker of Lok Sabha, Sh. Om Birla, participated in the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), held in Tashkent in April 2025. The Speaker addressed the IPU Governing Council and Assembly, called on President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and met Uzbekistan Senate Chairperson Tanzila Narbayeva and Legislative Chamber Speaker Nuriddin Ismoilov.

Following the visit, the Lok Sabha constituted the India-Uzbekistan Parliamentary Friendship Group in March 2026, with members from both houses of Parliament. According to the brief, the group is intended to support economic, educational, cultural and humanitarian initiatives between the two countries.

Earlier, in July 2024, Senate Chairperson Tanzila Narbaeva held talks with Shri Om Birla in St. Petersburg, on the sidelines of the Xth BRICS Parliamentary Forum.

Foreign Office Consultations

The then Secretary (West), Shri Sanjay Verma, visited Uzbekistan on 8-9 August 2023 and held the 16th Foreign Office Consultations with his counterpart, Deputy Foreign Minister Bakhrom Aloyev. He also called on Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov.

Earlier, Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Furkat Sidikov led the Uzbek delegation to the bilateral Foreign Office Consultations held in New Delhi on 11 May 2022.

Multilateral and regional cooperation

The brief states that India and Uzbekistan cooperate at several multilateral platforms, such as the UN, G20, BRICS and SCO.

The two countries also interact under the India-Central Asia framework, which includes:

  • the India-Central Asia Summit
  • the India-Central Asia Dialogue at EAM level
  • the Joint Working Group on Afghanistan
  • the Central Asia Business Council

Uzbekistan has taken part in the Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS). At the third VOGSS in August 2024, Uzbekistan participated in two Ministerial sessions, on Trade and on Environment. It was represented in the Environment session by H. E. Mr. Jusipbek Kazbekov, Dy. Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection.