A Nuclear Boost for India: Uzbekistan Opens a New Strategic Chapter

New Delhi, August 30, 2026 India and Uzbekistan are taking their strategic partnership into a new phase, with nuclear energy emerging as a major area of cooperation. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent, the two countries announced plans for a long-term uranium supply arrangement. The move is expected to strengthen India’s nuclear fuel security and support its long-term nuclear power ambitions. “We will also establish a long-term arrangement for the supply of uranium," PM Modi said, describing it as one of the key outcomes of the talks. The discussions also covered three proposed sister-city and sister-state agreements. Modi stressed that these partnerships should lead to tangible outcomes rather than remain limited to signed documents, calling for a clear roadmap for implementation. Urban development was another focus, with Uzbekistan currently developing New Tashkent. Modi highlighted Gujarat’s GIFT City as a model and offered to host an Uzbek delegation to study its planning, technology and implementation. Economic and people-to-people ties are also gaining momentum. Mirziyoyev called India a "reliable strategic partner" and said bilateral trade crossed $1 billion last year for the first time. He added that joint ventures have increased sevenfold compared with a few years ago. Connectivity has also improved, with 14 direct flights operating between the two countries every week. Cultural exchanges remain an important part of the relationship, with the Lal Bahadur Shastri Centre for Indian Culture and the Mahatma Gandhi Centre for Indian Studies contributing to closer ties. Yoga has also become increasingly popular in Uzbekistan, which has had a national Yoga Federation since 2018. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan is set to remove visa requirements for Indian citizens for stays of up to 30 days, a step expected to boost tourism, business travel and wider interaction. The developments show that India-Uzbekistan relations are moving beyond traditional cooperation towards practical and strategic engagement. With nuclear energy, trade, connectivity, urban development and cultural exchanges all gaining ground, Uzbekistan is emerging as an increasingly important partner for India in Central Asia. PM Modi concludes his Tashkent visit on August 30 before travelling to Bishkek for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, with both countries now looking to turn their latest commitments into concrete results.