Uzbekistan and Sri Lanka hold inaugural political consultations in Tashkent

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The first round of political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan and Sri Lanka was held in Tashkent on 9 July 2026. Following the meeting, the two parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a permanent framework for conducting bilateral consultations.

The diplomatic delegations were led by Bakhromjon Aloev, the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, and Aruni Ranaraja, the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism of Sri Lanka.

During the high-level talks, the delegates reviewed the current state of Uzbek-Sri Lankan relations and mapped out strategic paths for their long-term expansion.

A primary focus of the session was placed on advancing economic diplomacy. The participants agreed to draft targeted, actionable measures aimed at increasing the volume and diversification of bilateral trade. Discussions also centered on driving joint investment ventures across key manufacturing sectors.

Beyond trade, the officials explored avenues for deepening cultural-humanitarian cooperation. The agreed-upon roadmap includes expanding academic and joint scientific research exchanges, alongside implementing regional promotion initiatives to boost tourism flows between the two countries.

The signed memorandum establishes a regular and institutionalized channel of communication between the respective foreign ministries, ensuring synchronized diplomatic engagement on both bilateral and international issues.