India and Uzbekistan to establish foreign ministries council

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — India and Uzbekistan have agreed to raise the level of bilateral dialogue by establishing a coordination mechanism between the foreign ministries of the two countries, Sibi George, Secretary (West) at India’s Ministry of External Affairs, said at a press briefing following the Indian prime minister’s state visit to Uzbekistan.

Responding to a question about the new coordination council, George said several dialogue mechanisms were already operating between the two countries, including consultations between foreign ministries and intergovernmental cooperation at the secretary and deputy minister levels.

During the visit, the sides decided to raise the status of these mechanisms. Dialogue between the foreign ministries will be elevated to the ministerial level, while implementation of the comprehensive partnership will be carried out under an agreed roadmap. “The roadmap will be implemented under the leadership and oversight of the foreign ministers,” George said.

He also clarified that meetings of the intergovernmental commission, which had previously been held at the secretary and deputy minister levels, will be elevated to the ministerial level.

According to the diplomat, an approved roadmap and its consistent implementation under the supervision of the foreign ministries will enable the two countries to further advance bilateral cooperation.