Prime Minister Modi Awarded High Level Order of Friendship to Uzbekistan by President Mirziyoyev Today News
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev presented Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Uzbekistan’s highest state honour, the Order of “Oliy Darajali Dustlika”, in Tashkent on Sunday as the two countries agreed to upgrade their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and deepen cooperation across sectors including energy, trade and technology.
The award, given during Modi’s visit to the Central Asian nation, marks his 36th international honour. Modi paid tribute to India-Uzbekistan friendship and the people of India.
“It is a moment of great pride for me to be honored with Uzbekistan’s highest award,” Modi said.
Prime Minister Modi pays highest tribute to Uzbekistan for India-Uzbekistan friendship
Modi said the name of the award itself reflects the foundations of the relationship between the two countries.
He emphasized the meaning of “Dostlik” which means friendship and noted that Indians also know the word “Dost” which means friend.
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Modi said the word “Enough” perfectly captures the basic sentiment underlying the India-Uzbekistan relationship.
He added that the honor is not for a single individual but for all 1.4 billion Indians. On behalf of his fellow citizens, he expressed his sincere gratitude to the people of Uzbekistan, the government and his friend, President Mirziyoyev.
He received the honor during Modi’s fourth visit to Uzbekistan, where he received a ceremonial welcome and held delegation-level talks with Mirziyoyev at the Kuksaroy Presidential Palace.
India and Uzbekistan upgrade ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership
The visit also brought significant progress in bilateral relations, with Modi announcing that India and Uzbekistan would upgrade their strategic partnership to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership.
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The development coincides with the 15th anniversary of India-Uzbekistan strategic partnership and comes shortly before Uzbekistan commemorates its 35th Independence Day.
“In two days you will mark the 35th anniversary of your Independence Day. On this occasion, I congratulate you and the people of Uzbekistan in advance and wish you all the best. It is a happy coincidence that this year we are also celebrating the 15th anniversary of our strategic partnership. I am pleased that on this special occasion we are moving forward the level of our concrete partnerships. goals in this framework,” he said.
The two leaders also discussed ways to expand economic engagement, with Modi welcoming Uzbekistan’s efforts to identify projects across key sectors and set timelines for their implementation.
“I have seen your book in which you have identified projects across key sectors to advance our bilateral economic partnership and outlined a timeline for the way forward. I appreciate this initiative. I am confident that by working together we will make rapid progress on this,” PM Modi said.
Talks between India and Uzbekistan focus on uranium supplies and ministerial coordination
Among the decisions announced during the talks was an arrangement for long-term uranium supplies to India.
The two countries also agreed to establish a coordinating council at the level of foreign ministers to manage the broader relationship and strengthen coordination across areas of cooperation.
Modi said that the existing joint commission will also be elevated from the level of secretary to the level of ministers. In addition, India and Uzbekistan will host a business summit that will bring together entrepreneurs from both countries.
“We had a productive discussion over dinner last night and took several important decisions. Our teams are also aligned on these matters. We will establish a coordination council at the foreign minister level to provide direction for all aspects of our cooperation through close coordination. We will elevate our joint commission from secretary level to ministerial level. The two sides will jointly hold a trade summit involving business leaders from both countries,” he said.
The agreements underscore New Delhi’s and Tashkent’s efforts to provide greater institutional structure to a relationship that has expanded across economic, strategic and cultural domains.
Mirziyoyev praises India’s growth and global influence under Modi
During delegation-level discussions, Mirziyoyev praised India’s economic progress and its growing international profile under Modi’s leadership.
The Uzbek president pointed to India’s economic expansion and progress in areas including digitization, information technology, artificial intelligence and space exploration.
He said India has been achieving remarkable results across sectors while maintaining strong economic growth and executing major projects. Mirziyoyev also said that New Delhi’s voice and influence in global affairs has grown stronger, adding that Uzbekistan welcomes the country’s achievements as a close friend.
PM Modi highlights Uzbekistan’s warm welcome in Tashkent
Modi also spoke warmly of the reception he received in Tashkent and thanked Mirziyoyev for personally overseeing the arrangements for Saturday’s dinner.
He mentioned cultural performances and decorations throughout the city and said the gestures reflected Uzbekistan’s close ties with India.
“I am especially grateful for the experience you prepared for me during yesterday’s meal; you were personally involved in every detail. Apart from the delicious food, I also had the pleasure of witnessing songs and dances performed by talented children. It felt as if you brought India itself to life here, as if you awakened the spirit of my own Gujarat right here. Moreover, you really decorated the whole city in the colors of this Indian tricolor. how close India is to your heart,” said the Prime Minister Modi.
Earlier, Modi received a warm welcome from Mirziyoyev and attended engagements that included visiting the Yangi Uzbekistan memorial and interacting with members of the Indian community.
The prime minister also said that he attended a yoga program organized by the Yoga Federation of Uzbekistan in Tashkent.
Modi arrived in the Uzbek capital on Saturday and was personally welcomed at the airport by Mirziyoyev. The two leaders then traveled together by car to the presidential palace, where they hosted a dinner before formal delegation-level talks the following day.