As previously reported, on 17-18 May of 2011 President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov paid a state visit to India.

At the initiative of the Indian side visit was given the highest status in international practice – the state.

The high level of bilateral cooperation as well as existing historical roots of friendly relations between Uzbek and Indian people were taken into account, too.

In Uzbekistan, India is well known as a country with a unique history, with long-standing and strong cultural and economic and trade ties, and sincere friendship with Uzbek people.

Much of the history, literature, music, art and architecture of the Uzbek and Indian people, in their mutual enrichment and mutual penetration are associated with the name of Zakhiriddin Muhammad Babur.

The official part of the visit began with a ceremony in honor of President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov at the square outside the presidential palace Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Islam Karimov has been given top state honors.

There, during a meeting with media representatives the President of Uzbekistan made a brief statement to the press about the aims and objectives of the present state visit. Uzbek head of state noted the need for critical analysis, evaluation and prospects of relations between Uzbekistan and India. Moreover, the importance of discussion of topical issues of international and regional issues, exchange of views on issues to give a new powerful impulse of the Uzbek-Indian relations through the implementation of untapped opportunities, expansion of mutual cooperation in political, economic, investment, cultural and humanitarian spheres were noted.

The first event of the visit was meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on one-on-one. The two leaders discussed in detail the status and prospects of bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on a wide range of regional and global issues that directly affect the interests of the two countries and peoples.

In an atmosphere of trust and openness, the two leaders exchanged views on a broad agenda of Uzbek-Indian relations, including efficient cooperation within international structures, such as the UN, SCO and others, UzA informs. Uzbekistan has consistently supported India’s aspirations to become a permanent member of the enlarged UN Security Council.

During the talks, the sides noted the coincidence and similarity of positions in almost all bilateral, regional and global issues. As repeatedly emphasized, Uzbekistan and India are interested in cooperation on an equitable basis with mutual interests.

The parties discussed the evolving situation in neighboring Afghanistan and reaffirmed the importance of early establishment of peace and stability in this country that will open opportunities not only for regional cooperation, but also promotes the formation and development of cost-effective route reducing the distance between the markets of India and Central Asia.

In this regard, the opportunities that have arisen with the formation of a new Land Transport Corridor of Central Asia – Persian Gulf and the Trans-Afghan corridor presented of great interest

These and other topics were the focus of attention during bilateral talks in expanded format, when President Islam Karimov and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were joined by other members of official delegations.

The focus of the negotiations were the issues of trade and economic and investment cooperation. It was noted that with high rates of economic growth, Uzbekistan and India’s current bilateral

Uzbekistan supports the efforts of Indian companies to expand investment cooperation in the sectors in which they have advanced technological capabilities. In this context a successful example is the interaction with Spentex Industries Company, one of the largest investors in textile sector in Uzbekistan, with a number of joint projects for processing raw cotton. Serious considerations are available for pharmaceutical companies in the petroleum industry and chemical industry.

Representatives of Indian business are interested in opportunities of transcontinental intermodal hub at the airport in Navoi city as a transit point, which provides the optimal timing of shipments of Europe, CIS, Middle East and other regions of the world and back. Currently this international hub operates regular flights to major transit points of the world, including such industrial centers of India like Delhi and Mumbai.

The sides noted the sphere of information technologies, the production of software products, telecommunications equipment, distance learning and others as one of the most promising areas of bilateral cooperation. In this field, Indian professionals occupy a leading position in the world. Uzbek-Indian center of information technologies named after Jawaharlal Nehru, opened in Tashkent five years ago, trained young professionals, widely introduced modern principles of programming, it was noted during the meeting.

Within the visit, the action plan to promote cooperation in tourism between Uzbektourism and Indian Tourism Development Corporation was signed.

Also, wide possibilities of cooperation in scientific and technical cooperation were marked. Uzbek scholars and research centers are ready to expand joint research with Indian counterparts in fields such as physics, biotechnology, materials science, solar energy, laser technology, automation of manufacturing processes.

Islam Karimov held talks with other top leaders of India including President Pratibha Patil, Vice President, Speaker of the Upper House of Parliament Hamid Ansari and Minister for Foreign Affairs Somanahalli Malay Krishna. In accordance with Indian Protocol, Karimov held talks with leader of opposition Sushma Swaraj in the lower house of parliament.

President Islam Karimov visited the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi where he laid a wreath in memory of a great son of the Indian people, who devoted his entire life to the struggle for national liberation.

According to the negotiators and representatives of Indian media, covering the state visit of President Islam Karimov, the Uzbek-Indian dialogue at the highest level, signed long-term instruments provided a good base to give a powerful impetus to bilateral cooperation.

As highlighted in the joint statement on strategic partnership, bilateral relations are derived on the level of long-term strategic partnership based on equality and mutual understanding. The strategic partnership will provide for increased cooperation on a wide range of areas, including political, economic, anti-terrorism, as well as education, health, human resources development, science and technology, tourism and culture.

During the visit, several documents aimed at major expansion in economic and investment cooperation in the sphere of fuel energy, information technology, textiles, pharmaceuticals, banking and trade were signed.

They include the implementation of more than 30 projects, including those aimed at the joint prospecting, exploration and production of hydrocarbons with Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, leading company in India, the production of fiber-optic cable in Navoi, a number of projects on production of substances and various drugs, etc.

The leading large textile companies of India signed agreements on deep processing of cotton, silk and leather raw material for the production and sale of finished products. In the field of information and communication technology projects, the production of smart phones, tablet PCs and Internet set-top boxes, as well as power sources based on solar-hybrid technology were agreed. The signed documents envisage a number of projects in the chemical industry.

National Bank of Uzbekistan jointly with the Export-Import Bank of India signed an agreement for a credit line on the long-term concessional terms. Agreement was reached for long-term supplies of mineral fertilizers and other strategic goods.

The overall cost of the economic package, which was signed during the visit of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan makes up more than USD $2.2 billion.

According to overall assessment of the parties, the outcome of the visit of President Islam Karimov to India, talks and signed documents serve as reliable basis for a new stage of relations, which is characterized as a strategic partnership in all areas of cooperation on a long term basis.