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

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov was welcomed at the presidential palace Rashtrapati Bhavan.

During a meeting with media representatives the President of Uzbekistan stated that there is need for critical analysis, evaluation and prospects of relations between Uzbekistan and India.

He added that it is importance to discuss issues of international and regional issues and exchange opinion 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.

Uzbek President Islam Karimov held his first meeting with the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The sides discussed current state 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.

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. 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.

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.