Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in his speech at the first India-Central Asia summit, held on 27 January in the format of a videoconference, paid special attention to expanding cultural and humanitarian ties. In this regard, his initiative to create joint virtual libraries deserves attention.

In recent years, close attention has been paid in Uzbekistan to the development of libraries as centers of education, information and self-education. Large-scale work is being carried out in our country to modernize the library system. Most of the libraries in the country have a rich book stock and are equipped with modern information technologies. The automated system of information and library institutions of Uzbekistan makes it possible to quickly search for resources and connect to the database of electronic resources of the National Library named after Alisher Navoi and others, including foreign funds.

In this regard, the experience of India in creating a unified electronic library system is also interesting. The National Digital Library operates in this country, which unites local and international digital libraries within a single web portal. Taking this into account, the initiative of the head of our state on the creation of joint virtual libraries will expand the possibilities for finding information. This, in turn, will allow the peoples to get to know the origins of the deep historical and cultural ties that have united Central Asia and India for hundreds of years.

At the same time, in order to preserve the common heritage for future generations, the leader of Uzbekistan also proposed to develop a joint program of events, which stipulates the cooperation of museums, the organization of exhibitions and conferences, as well as the study of the common historical and archaeological heritage.

In this regard, it should be noted that India intends to take part in the implementation of a project to preserve the Buddhist heritage in Surkhandarya region (the Fayaztepa and Karatepa complexes in Termez). The implementation of this initiative is important from the point of view of the common historical interconnectedness of the two countries.

In the future, there is also an intensification of bilateral efforts to catalog, comprehensive scientific study and wide popularization of historical artifacts stored in the museums of Uzbekistan and India through the implementation of joint research programs, projects and other activities.

From this point of view, Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s proposal to hold the Indian Film Week and Indian Culture Festival in the countries of Central Asia will further enrich our centuries-old history, opening up new opportunities for expanding fruitful cooperation in the film industry.

It should be noted that Bollywood films, songs and television series in Hindi are very popular among the population of Uzbekistan. The love for Indian cinematography among the inhabitants of our country shows interest in the study of India.

Here it is gratifying to note that in Uzbekistan, on the basis of the Tashkent State Institute of Oriental Studies, there is already a developed school of Indology, where the Hindi language is taught, the history, literature and culture of India are studied.

The Center of Indian Culture named after A. LB Shastri at the Embassy of India in Tashkent is popular among the youth of Uzbekistan.

In turn, in 2017, a corner of the Uzbek language and culture was created at one of the leading universities in India - Jamia Millia Islamia University.

In general, the initiatives of the President of Uzbekistan in the field of expanding cultural and humanitarian ties with India are based on rich traditions and historical ties. Their support and enrichment will contribute to a new stage of close relations between the Central Asian region and India.

Iroda Imamova,

Leading Researcher, 

Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies

under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan