Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Sunday, 30 August jointly called for sweeping reform of the United Nations, including its Security Council, to better reflect contemporary global realities and make the body more representative, effective, and efficient. The call came in a joint statement issued after bilateral talks in Tashkent, during Modi's two-day state visit to Uzbekistan.

Key Developments from the Tashkent Summit

The joint statement affirmed that both nations believe the UN must remain the central pillar of global peace and security. The two leaders agreed to deepen mutual cooperation across the UN and other international and regional bodies, including through active support for each other's multilateral positions.

In a significant diplomatic endorsement, Uzbekistan reaffirmed its support for India's candidature for permanent membership of the UN Security Council — a long-standing Indian foreign policy objective that has gained renewed momentum as New Delhi pushes for a restructured multilateral order.

Uzbekistan Backs India's UNSC Bid

Tashkent's backing for India's permanent seat bid is part of a broader pattern of Central Asian states aligning with New Delhi's multilateral ambitions. India has consistently argued that the current Security Council structure — largely unchanged since 1945 — fails to represent the geopolitical weight of the Global South. Uzbekistan's endorsement adds to a growing list of countries that have voiced support, though formal expansion of the Council remains stalled by great-power disagreements.

SCO, BRICS, and the Global South Agenda

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening coordination within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), describing it as a vital platform for regional peace, stability, and economic cooperation. President Mirziyoyev congratulated PM Modi on India's Chairship of BRICS in 2026 and extended wishes for a successful BRICS Summit.

Modi, in turn, expressed confidence in Uzbekistan's Chairship of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) for the period 2027–2030, reaffirming India's readiness to support the Movement as one of its founding members. The joint statement also underscored both countries' shared commitment to advancing the common interests of Global South nations in international forums.

Climate and Conservation Cooperation

The two leaders acknowledged the important roles of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) and the International Solar Alliance (ISA) as platforms for advancing global cooperation in wildlife conservation and clean energy respectively. The Indian side welcomed Uzbekistan's interest in joining both frameworks and conveyed readiness to facilitate the necessary accession processes.

What Comes Next

PM Modi's 29–30 August visit to Uzbekistan is expected to set the tone for deeper India-Central Asia engagement ahead of the BRICS Summit and upcoming SCO engagements. The accession consultations for the IBCA and ISA, and the continued push for UNSC reform, will be watched closely as India seeks to consolidate its multilateral standing through the remainder of 2025 and into its BRICS Chair year of 2026.