Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred Uzbekistan’s ‘Oliy Darajali Do’stlik’ Order, the country’s highest state honour, by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. The award recognises distinguished contributions to bilateral relations and reflects the growing strategic partnership between India and Uzbekistan.
Order of Oliy Darajali Do’stlik
- Oliy Darajali Do’stlik is the highest state honour of Uzbekistan.
- It is commonly rendered in English as the Order of Friendship.
- Such state honours are formal decorations awarded by governments to recognise distinguished service or contributions to bilateral relations.
Key India–Uzbekistan Outcomes
1. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
India and Uzbekistan agreed to upgrade their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, taking their diplomatic engagement to a higher level.
2. Visa-Free Travel
Uzbekistan announced the removal of visa requirements for Indian citizens staying for up to 30 days, facilitating greater people-to-people, tourism and business exchanges.
3. $5 Billion Trade Target
Both countries set an ambitious target of increasing bilateral trade to $5 billion by 2030.
4. Long-Term Uranium Supply
India and Uzbekistan agreed to work towards a long-term framework for uranium supplies, strengthening cooperation in the energy sector.
5. Coordination Council
The two countries agreed to establish a Coordination Council headed by their respective Foreign Ministers to provide stronger institutional oversight of bilateral cooperation.
6. Upgraded Joint Commission
The existing Joint Commission will be upgraded from the secretary level to the ministerial level, giving greater political weight to bilateral economic and developmental cooperation.
7. MoUs and Agreements
Several agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged in areas including: Education, Mining, Ayurveda, Culture, Tourism