Uzbekistan FM Saidov arrives in New Delhi for bilateral talks with India
Synopsis
Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov is in New Delhi for a high-stakes diplomatic visit that goes well beyond protocol — meetings with President Murmu and EAM Jaishankar, a business forum, and a packed agenda covering trade, energy, and digital tech signal that India is treating Central Asia as a strategic priority, not an afterthought.
Key Takeaways
Uzbekistan FM Bakhtiyor Saidov arrived in New Delhi on 3 July for an official visit lasting until 5 August .
Saidov is scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan and hold talks with EAM S.
A business forum in New Delhi will spotlight economic and commercial cooperation opportunities.
EAM Jaishankar and Saidov held a preparatory phone call on 20 July , focusing on trade, investment, and bilateral ties.
India and Uzbekistan completed their 17th round of Foreign Office Consultations in May , covering trade, tourism, energy, and digital technology.
Uzbekistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bakhtiyor Saidov, arrived in New Delhi on Monday, 3 July for an official visit aimed at deepening the strategic partnership between India and Uzbekistan. The visit, which runs until 5 August, covers a broad agenda spanning trade, investment, technology, energy, education, and connectivity.
Key Engagements Scheduled
During his stay, Saidov is scheduled to call on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan and hold formal discussions with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. He will also participate in a business forum in New Delhi designed to highlight avenues for expanding economic and commercial cooperation between the two nations.
What the Government Said
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal extended a public welcome to the visiting minister, describing his arrival as an important step in bilateral engagement. Ahead of the visit, EAM Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with Saidov on 20 July, with both leaders focusing on 'deepening our bilateral ties, including in trade, investment and other areas,' according to Jaishankar. Saidov described those talks as substantive, adding that both sides agreed to maintain regular and trust-based dialogue between their foreign ministries.
Diplomatic Background
India and Uzbekistan have sustained close diplomatic engagement under their existing strategic partnership framework. In May, the two countries completed the 17th round of Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi, where officials reviewed bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on regional and global issues. That round focused on trade, tourism, digital technology, innovation, energy, and education, and also explored strengthening coordination in international forums.
Why This Visit Matters
Uzbekistan occupies a pivotal position in Central Asia, and India has been steadily expanding its footprint in the region through diplomatic and economic channels. This visit comes as both countries look to move beyond established frameworks and explore new, concrete areas of partnership. Notably, this is the first high-level in-person diplomatic engagement between the two sides following the May consultations, signalling an intent to accelerate the pace of bilateral progress.
What Comes Next
The outcomes of Saidov's meetings with President Murmu and EAM Jaishankar, along with the business forum deliberations, are expected to shape the next phase of India-Uzbekistan cooperation. Fresh agreements or joint statements on trade and investment may follow, with both governments keen to translate diplomatic warmth into measurable economic outcomes.
Point of View
And Saidov's visit is a marker of that shift. The 17th round of Foreign Office Consultations in May followed by a ministerial visit within weeks is not routine cadence — it suggests both sides are trying to compress timelines on deliverables. The real test will be whether the business forum produces binding commitments on trade and investment, or remains an exchange of intent. India's connectivity ambitions in Central Asia — partly a counter to China's BRI footprint — depend on partners like Uzbekistan translating goodwill into infrastructure and commercial agreements.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister visiting India?
Uzbekistan FM Bakhtiyor Saidov is visiting India from 3 July to 5 August to strengthen bilateral relations across trade, investment, technology, energy, education, and connectivity. The visit includes meetings with President Droupadi Murmu and EAM S. Jaishankar, as well as participation in a business forum in New Delhi.
Who will Bakhtiyor Saidov meet during his India visit?
Saidov is scheduled to call on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan and hold formal discussions with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. He will also attend a business forum focused on expanding economic cooperation between India and Uzbekistan.
What did EAM Jaishankar and Saidov discuss before the visit?
EAM Jaishankar and Saidov held a telephonic conversation on 20 July, focusing on deepening bilateral ties including trade and investment. Saidov described the talks as substantive and said both sides agreed to maintain regular, trust-based dialogue between their foreign ministries.
What is the current state of India-Uzbekistan relations?
India and Uzbekistan maintain a strategic partnership with active engagement across trade, tourism, digital technology, energy, and education. In May, the two countries held their 17th round of Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi, the most recent in a sustained series of high-level diplomatic exchanges.
Why does India's relationship with Uzbekistan matter strategically?
Uzbekistan is a key Central Asian nation, and India has been expanding its diplomatic and economic presence in the region. Deeper ties with Uzbekistan support India's broader connectivity and trade ambitions in Central Asia, an area of growing geopolitical significance.
