Chinmaya IAS Academy – Current Affairs Chinmaya IAS Academy – Current Affairs
- Recently, the Union Minister for Commerce & Industry attended the 13th Session of the India-Uzbekistan Inter-Governmental Commission.
- Further, he highlighted India-Uzbekistan relations as key to India’s vision of integrated extended neighbourhood.
- IGC meeting is an important platform to deliberate on ideas, discuss issues & strengthen bilateral relations especially in the field of trade & investment.
Key Highlights of the Session
- That there is a need to take the relationship forward in newer areas like technology, digital payment solutions, and investment in start-ups.
- The need for an integrated approach for regional connectivity and cooperation.
- Further, there are seven emerging areas of cooperation between both nations namely Digital Payments, Space Cooperation, Agri and Dairy, Pharma, Gems and Jewellery, MSME, and Inter-regional cooperation.
India-Uzbekistan Relations
- India and Uzbekistan have a long history of cooperation.
- After Uzbekistan’s independence, India was one of the first countries to acknowledge its state sovereignty.
- Bilateral relations now encompass a wider canvas, including political and strategic issues, defense and security, trade and investment, energy, agriculture, S&T, education, and people-to-people ties.
Initiatives:
- The first-ever joint military exercise held between India and Uzbekistan was named Dustlik.
- India has also assisted in setting up an India Room at the Armed Forces Academy of Uzbekistan in Tashkent.
- India and Uzbekistan share common perspectives on a number of security issues, including terrorism, trans-national organized crime, illegal trafficking, smuggling, etc.
- The main focus of engagement in this sphere has been to provide assistance to Uzbek security agencies through training and capacity building.
- It has increased from USD 247 million in 2019-20 to USD 342 million in 2021-22, a growth of 38.5%.
- Indian investments by Indian companies include those in the field of pharmaceuticals, amusement parks, automobile components, and the hospitality industry.
- Amity University and Sharda University have opened campuses in Tashkent and Andijan respectively.
- Indian institutions like iCreate are actively cooperating with Uzbek counterparts for promoting a start-up ecosystem in Uzbekistan and training entrepreneurs in setting up incubators.
- The Uzbek government has extended the e-Visa facility to Indian tourists.
- Uzbekistan has also emerged as a significant source of medical tourism with about 8,000 Uzbeks annually seeking medical treatment in India.
- Uzbekistan has expressed interest in joining the International Solar Alliance.
- There is interest in Indian participation in the development of the solar power sector through competitive bidding.
- National Coordination Committees: India and Uzbekistan have set up National Coordination Committees to oversee the implementation of mutually agreed projects and initiatives.
Way Forward
- Indian companies can take advantage of Uzbekistan’s various trade agreements and implement joint beneficial investment projects in the area to tap the economic and trade potential of the two countries.
- There is a need for increased convergence between the two countries.
- Uzbekistan should join the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). With both Iran and India as members of INSTC, the addition of Uzbekistan will move things, especially connectivity, in the proper direction.
SOURCE: THE HINDU,THE ECONOMIC TIMES,MINT
