Visit of Modi to lift Uzbek-Indian relations to new level

India for every citizen of Uzbekistan is a country with a rich history and unique culture. Our peoples are linked by bonds of sincere friendship, centuries-old cultural and trade and economic ties. Much in history, literature, music, arts and architecture of our peoples and their mutual enrichment is associated with the name of our great ancestor Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur.

But life goes on. First official visit to Uzbekistan at the invitation of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, Prime Minister of the Republic of India Narendra Modi is a significant event in the political life of both countries. Analysis of the results allows us to characterize the visit as an important new stage in the development and strengthening of the historically friendly Uzbek-Indian relations.

Strong legal basis of relations between Uzbekistan and India, in particular, signed in May 2011 Joint statement on strategic partnership expands the possibilities for further strengthening of cooperation on a wide range of areas, including all aspects of political, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres, which parties consider mutually beneficial.

We in UzLiDeP faction have carefully studied the results of the meeting between the leaders of our countries, and we believe that it was a good opportunity to fully discuss the condition and perspectives of bilateral cooperation in the political, trade, economic, investment, cultural and humanitarian spheres, as well as exchanged views on mutual interest regional and international issues. Separately, stressed that the position of the parties views and assessments on the issues discussed are close or coincide.

At the same time, the critical analysis of the state and prospects of relations between Uzbekistan and India made fertile ground for extensive exchange of views on issues to give a new potent impetus to the Uzbek-Indian relations by way of mobilizing the hitherto unused opportunities and capacities, enhancing the scales of cooperation in the political, economic, investment and cultural-humanitarian areas. Therefore, we in UzLiDeP believe that the visit of Prime Minister of India will provide a solid basis for a new stage of relations, which are characterized as a strategic partnership in all areas of cooperation on a long term basis.

Kutlimurat Babashev, Member of UzLiDeP faction in the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan

In its election program UzLiDeP noted the importance of enhancing the investment attractiveness of the country abroad, use of mechanisms of bilateral cooperation to build the process of attracting foreign direct investment and advanced technologies in the priority sectors of the national economy. In this regard, UzLiDeP pays attention to the talks between Islam Karimov and Narendra Modi where among other issues were the issues of development the trade and economic, financial and investment cooperation.

On behalf of our voters - representatives of business - I would like to express interest for further development the trade and economic cooperation between two countries in various sectors of the economy.

In this context, stressed that according to UzLiDeP opinion the level of turnover between Uzbekistan and India does not meet the potential of the two countries’ economies. Thus, despite the growth in the indicators of mutual trade (twofold increase within the past four years) in 2014 (growth by 21.2 percent) reached 315.9 million U.S. dollars. Given that the economic relations constitute a foundation for the strategic partnership, the two sides agreed to bolster the interaction in order to shore up the volumes of turnover and diversification of the range of goods in it, including by encouragement of direct contacts among the representatives of business by way of the arrangement of trade fairs and other events. A special place should take use of the opportunities of transcontinental intermodal hub at the airport in the city of Navoi, "Jizzakh" and "Angren" special industrial zones.

UzLiDeP believes that our entrepreneurs and business people are interested in further attracting Indian high-tech companies to the implementation of joint projects in the organization of production of ready-made industrial goods in demand, including chemical products, modern and highly effective medicines as well as new types of construction materials.

We consider that the issues of bilateral relations in trade and economic sphere will find its solution in the meetings of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade-Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation. The commission aims to become an effective mechanism for the implementation of agreements at the highest level in all areas of mutual interest.

Abdullajon Hamrakulov, Member of UzLiDeP faction in the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan

The official visit of the Prime Minister of the Republic of India to the Republic of Uzbekistan has become a good platform for joint discussion at the highest level of important foreign policy issues. The relevance of the current negotiations is increasing, given the rapidly changing situation in the world, exacerbation of conflicts, tensions and geopolitical competition in the global and regional levels, increasing the spread of terrorism, extremism and radicalism, which find their direct or indirect expression in the Central Asian region.

Our two countries support each other’s initiatives during summits of the United Nations as well as nominations to various UN agencies, and they interact dynamically within other international and regional institutions. It was underscored that the community and similarity of approaches to addressing the core regional and global issues is reliable bedrock for the interaction of sides within the frameworks of international organizations.

It should be highlighted that the last exchange of views on the situation in Afghanistan, which reflected a common understanding of the lack of a military solution to this problem. Greater emphasis ought to be placed on the provision of economic aid to Afghanistan, to the implementation of social, infrastructure and humanitarian projects, to addressing issues related to the employment of population as well as the most pressing challenges in combating poverty, destitution and lawlessness. It is essential to display unconditional respect to the ages-old traditions, customs and values of the people of Afghanistan.

In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that early establishment of peace and stability in Afghanistan would not only strengthen and expand regional cooperation, but would also promote the formation and development of economically viable routes that bring together markets of India and Central Asia which fully meets the interests of the electorate UzLiDeP.