The Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan, Mr. Bakhtiyor Saidov, made a four-day bilateral visit to India from 2 to 5 August 2026. The aim of the visit was to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Uzbekistan and India and create further opportunities for diplomatic dialogue. During his stay in New Delhi, Mr. Saidov called upon the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, held bilateral discussions with the Minister of External Affairs of India, Dr. S. Jaishankar, participated in the India-Uzbekistan Business Forum, and held a meeting with the Speaker of the Lok Sabha of India, Mr. Om Birla.
On 3 August, Mr. Saidov was welcomed along with his delegation to the Rashtrapati Bhavan by President Murmu. She took note of the historical, cultural and economic ties that both the countries share during their discussions, particularly the shared heritage in architecture, cuisine, music and cultural traditions. She highlighted the bilateral ties and exchanges that the two countries have nurtured over the years that have contributed to people-to-people ties. For instance, she lauded that over 3,000 professionals and students from Uzbekistan are benefiting from Indian scholarships and the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC) courses, alongside the 16,000 Indian students pursuing their higher education in Uzbekistan. During their discussions on expanding political dialogue, cultural exchanges, investments and economic cooperation, she emphasised the areas of potential partnership available in sectors such as mining, information technology, agriculture and pharmaceuticals. Mr. Saidov expressed his appreciation for the presidential reception and also conveyed the greetings of the President of Uzbekistan, Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev to President Murmu.
Dr. Jaishankar also a convened a meeting with Mr. Saidov and the accompanying delegates the same day. Welcoming the delegation, he remarked, “We in India very much consider Uzbekistan to be a part of our extended neighbourhood, and there has always been a continuous exchange of people, of ideas, of goods in both directions.” The leaders held comprehensive talks on bilateral cooperation, international matters, and dialogue through international fora such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Extension of economic partnership into the mining sector was discussed, along with the preparations for upcoming high-level engagements. Dr. Jaishankar announced the formation of the Parliamentary Friendship Group for India-Uzbekistan contacts during the meeting. He thanked Uzbekistan for their support to India for BRICS initiatives as India chairs the group this year. He also expressed his support for Uzbekistan for its forthcoming tenure as the Chair of the Non-Alignment Movement from 2027 to 2029.
Mr. Saidov also participated in the India-Uzbekistan Business Forum jointly organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in New Delhi. Investment opportunities across healthcare, food processing, agriculture, transport, digital technologies and energy sectors were discussed. The Union Minister of Commerce & Industry of India, Mr. Piyush Goyal, delivered the keynote address for the forum, with the Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan, Mr. Laziz Kudratov. Government representatives, and stakeholders from the business sectors of both the countries were present in the forum.
Mr. Saidov and Mr. Om Birla also met at the Parliament House. Bilateral partnership, and knowledge exchange in lawmaking were considered. Mr. Birla expressed his appreciation for the reception accorded to him during the 150th Anniversary Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union hosted by Uzbekistan in 2025. The leaders of both the countries hailed this visit’s significance in bolstering the partnership between India and Uzbekistan, which was notably elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2011.
