Uzbekistan FM Saidov calls on President Murmu, eyes deeper India ties
Synopsis
Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 3 August, with both sides committing to deepen a partnership rooted in ancient trade routes. Talks with EAM Jaishankar and a business forum are also on the agenda — signalling that India's Central Asia outreach is moving from diplomatic intent to sector-by-sector action.
Key Takeaways
Uzbekistan FM Bakhtiyor Saidov called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 3 August .
Both sides agreed to identify new bilateral cooperation areas across trade, investment, technology, energy, education, and connectivity.
President Murmu highlighted deep historical and civilisational ties rooted in ancient trade routes.
Jaishankar and Saidov had a preparatory phone call on 20 July to discuss deepening ties.
Saidov is also scheduled to meet Jaishankar and attend a business forum in New Delhi during the visit.
Uzbekistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Bakhtiyor Saidov called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on 3 August, with both sides agreeing to identify new areas of bilateral cooperation and strengthen their mutually beneficial partnership across diverse sectors. The meeting marks a significant diplomatic engagement as India and Uzbekistan seek to expand ties spanning trade, investment, technology, energy, education, and connectivity.
What Was Discussed
President Murmu underscored that the two countries share deep historical, cultural, and civilisational ties rooted in ancient trade routes, according to the President's Secretariat. Both leaders viewed the visit as an opportunity to chart fresh ground in bilateral cooperation and advance their strategic partnership at multiple levels.
Key Engagements During the Visit
Earlier in the day, Saidov arrived in New Delhi for his official visit. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal extended a formal welcome, noting the significance of the visit for India-Uzbekistan relations. During the trip, Saidov is also scheduled to hold talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and participate in a business forum highlighting opportunities for expanding economic and commercial cooperation between the two nations.
Groundwork Laid Before the Visit
The visit was preceded by a telephonic conversation between EAM Jaishankar and Saidov on 20 July, during which both sides discussed deepening bilateral ties. 'A good conversation with Bakhtiyor Saidov of Uzbekistan today. We spoke about deepening our bilateral ties, including in trade, investment and other areas,' Jaishankar wrote on X. Saidov, in turn, described the call as substantive and confirmed that both sides agreed to maintain regular dialogue between their foreign ministries.
Strategic Context
This comes amid a broader push by India to strengthen partnerships with Central Asian nations, where connectivity, energy, and trade corridors have emerged as priority areas. Uzbekistan and India formalised their strategic partnership framework in recent years, and both sides have since been working to translate high-level intent into concrete sectoral outcomes. The two sides also exchanged views on upcoming bilateral engagements at the highest levels and on strengthening cooperation within international organisations.
The visit signals that India-Uzbekistan diplomatic momentum is building, with the business forum and ministerial talks expected to produce actionable outcomes in the coming weeks.
Point of View
But without bankable project announcements, this risks being another high-profile meeting that moves the optics more than the numbers. India's Central Asia policy needs fewer communiqués and more committed investment pipelines.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister visit India?
Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov visited New Delhi on 3 August for an official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations with India. The visit included a call on President Droupadi Murmu, scheduled talks with EAM S. Jaishankar, and participation in a business forum focused on expanding economic cooperation.
What did President Murmu and FM Saidov discuss?
President Murmu and FM Saidov agreed to identify new areas of bilateral cooperation and deepen their strategic partnership across trade, investment, technology, energy, education, and connectivity. President Murmu also underscored the deep historical and civilisational ties between the two countries rooted in ancient trade routes.
What is the current state of India-Uzbekistan relations?
India and Uzbekistan share a strategic partnership that has been developing steadily across all areas of cooperation. Both countries have been working to expand ties in trade, investment, energy, education, and connectivity, with high-level diplomatic engagements increasing in frequency.
Did EAM Jaishankar speak with the Uzbekistan FM before the visit?
Yes, EAM S. Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with FM Bakhtiyor Saidov on 20 July, ahead of the visit. They discussed deepening bilateral ties including in trade, investment, and other areas, and agreed to continue regular dialogue between their foreign ministries.
What is the significance of the business forum during Saidov's visit?
The business forum in New Delhi is intended to highlight opportunities for expanding economic and commercial cooperation between India and Uzbekistan. It signals both governments' intent to translate diplomatic goodwill into tangible trade and investment outcomes.
