India, Uzbekistan set $1-bn trade target, to cooperate on counter-terror
New Delhi, Oct 1 : India and Uzbekistan set an annual bilateral trade target of $1 billion to be achieved in two years and agreed to cooperate in counter-terrorism efforts as the two sides signed 17 agreements across a range of sectors following delegation-level talks led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev here on Monday.
They also agreed to further strengthen their Strategic Partnership and boost connectivity in a significant manifestation of India's increasing engagements with Central Asia.
"We have agreed to strengthen trade and investment ties and have set a bilateral trade target of $1 billion by 2020," Modi said in a joint address to the media with Mirziyoyev after the talks. "We have also decided to start negotiations for a preferential trade agreement."
Bilateral trade stands at around $350 million now.
According to a joint statement, both sides called for further promotion of investment.
"They noted the favourable conditions for investment by Indian companies in Uzbekistan, including in the framework of the special economic zones and free pharmaceutical zones," it stated.
Both countries positively assessed the establishment of an Uzbek-Indian Business Council between industry body CII and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan.
Modi said India had decided to extend a line of credit (LoC) of $200 million to Uzbekistan for housing and other social infrastructure projects.
"We will welcome Uzbekistan's proposals under $800 million line of credit and buyer's credit from Exim Bank," he said. "We have proposed to help Uzbekistan in the areas of space, human resource development and IT."
Both sides discussed ways to boost connectivity.
Modi stressed the importance of Chabahar port in Iran being jointly developed by India, Iran and Afghanistan.
He expressed gratitude to Uzbekistan for its support in India for becoming a member of the Ashgabat Agreement which seeks to establish an international transport and transit corridor between Iran, Oman, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
"We are happy Uzbekistan has agreed to be a part of the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC)," he said.
The INSTC is a 7,200-km-long multi-modal network of ship, rail and road routes to move freight between India, Iran, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia and Europe.
Modi said that India and Uzbekistan shared their vision and plans to further strengthen their strategic partnership.
The India-Uzbekistan relationship was elevated to a Strategic Partnership when then Uzbek President Islam Karimov visited India in 2011.
"Meaningful discussions were also held on regional issues of importance that are linked to our security, peace, prosperity and cooperation," Modi said.
Both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and other international forums.
In defence cooperation, Modi said India and Uzbekistan discussed joint military exercises and military education and training among other areas.
According to the joint statement, two two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation between their law enforcement agencies and special services, including under the framework of the Uzbekistan-India Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism.
Modi called for a stable, democratic, inclusive and prosperous Afghanistan.
Both sides "reiterated their support for ... a genuine Afghan-owned, Afghan-led and Afghan-controlled peace and reconciliation process that would allow for a peaceful, secure, united, inclusive and prosperous nation".
Also discussed were issues of e-visa, tourism, academic exchanges and air connectivity.
On his part, Mirziyoyev said the India-Uzbekistan Strategic Partnership was very important for Tashkent's foreign policy.
He said Uzbekistan supported India's bid for a permanent membership in the UN Security Council.
"We are very concerned about the conflict in Afghanistan and feel that the only solution is a dialogue between the Afghan government and the opposition."
The 17 agreements signed between the two sides covered the areas of tourism, military training, law and justice, agriculture, science and innovation, health and pharmaceuticals.
Earlier, Mirziyoyev was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj called on him.
The Uzbek President arrived on Sunday on his first official visit to India since assuming office in 2016.
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Karnataka Guv, CM Siddaramaiah, ISRO chief pay last respects to Kasturirangan
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah were among the dignitaries who paid their final tributes to former ISRO Chairman K Kasturirangan on Sunday.
Kasturirangan, who led the space agency for nearly a decade (1994 to 2003), passed away in Bengaluru on Friday at the age of 84.
His mortal remains, wrapped in the national flag, were kept at the Raman Research Institute (RRI) for the public and well-wishers to pay their last respects, ahead of the last rites with full state honours.
Gehlot, who offered condolences to the family members of Kasturirangan, later recalled his interactions with him on numerous occasions, while speaking to reporters.
"He lives on through his works for the nation and the world," he added.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, after paying floral tributes, said Kasturirangan's death is an unbearable loss for the country, especially for the scientific community.
"His contribution to the field of space science is immense. He was the ISRO chairman for a long time, and his contributions to education are also remarkable. He cannot be forgotten. He won awards and accolades from across the world. He also played a key role as the Chairman of the high-level working group on the Western Ghats. His contribution to Karnataka is immense," he added.
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, BJP State President B Y Vijayendra, and former ISRO chiefs A S Kiran Kumar, K Sivan, and S Somanath were among those who paid their last respects to Kasturirangan.
A number of people from the scientific and academic community, as well as the ISRO fraternity, also paid their tributes.
Recalling his 50-year association with Kasturirangan, Kiran Kumar described him as a great personality who brought a personal touch through his interactions with people and had a tremendous ability to articulate ideas.
His contributions, not just to ISRO but to the country, cannot be forgotten. His work spanned various fields—not only space technology but also as a Rajya Sabha member, the head of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission, and through his studies on the Western Ghats. His contributions to the country and society are enormous. We will all miss him, as leaders like him are rare, he said.
Sivan stated that Kasturirangan's death is a loss for the entire country. He made immense contributions to science, academics, and ISRO's current form.
"During his tenure as ISRO Chairman, the transformation from the experimental phase to the operational phase occurred. Under his leadership, PSLV and GSLV became operational, along with some advanced satellites. When I was Chairman, I frequently sought his advice, which was always helpful," he said.
Earlier in the day, ISRO Chairman V Narayanan remembered Kasturirangan as a transformative figure who profoundly shaped India's space ambitions, educational framework, and envisioned the future.
In his condolence message, he said, "Kasturirangan's life, marked by an unwavering pursuit of knowledge and its application for the nation's advancement, has left an enduring legacy."
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