QuotePM addresses the statement to media during the Joint Press Briefing with President of Uzbekistan at Tashkent
QuoteIndia's relationship with Uzbekistan has ancient roots and has left a strong imprint on both Nations: PM
QuoteFew countries can match Uzbekistan in nurturing Hindi & Indian culture: PM Modi
QuotePM Modi, President Karimov discuss various initiatives to further enhance connectivity between India and Uzbekistan
QuoteIndia & Uzbekistan agree to strengthen cooperation in defence and cyber security

His Excellency President Islam Karimov, President of Uzbekistan, Members of the Media,

I am delighted to be in the historic and beautiful city of Tashkent. It carries the warmth of familiarity that comes from sights and stories we grow up with.

I thank President Karimov and the people of Uzbekistan for their very warm welcome and hospitality.

It is a pleasure to meet President Karimov. He has led with great vision and wisdom to steer Uzbekistan’s progress and advance peace and prosperity in the region.

Today, I have embarked on a five-nation tour of Central Asia. It reflects our resolve to start a new era in our relations with Central Asian Republics.

Our relationship with the region has ancient roots and has left a strong imprint on both. It now occupies a significant place in India’s future.

I have begun my journey in Uzbekistan. This underlines this nation’s importance for India, not just in the context of this region, but also more broadly in Asia.

In recent years, India and Uzbekistan have built a strategic partnership on the foundation of mutual respect and shared interests.

This includes expanding economic cooperation, combating terrorism, advancing stability in the region and promoting regional integration.

President Karimov and I had very cordial and productive discussions. His perspectives will be of immense benefit to me in the days ahead.

I share President Karimov’s desire to raise the level of our economic engagement. I conveyed to him that there is a strong interest in Indian business to invest in Uzbekistan. There is immense potential in a broad range of areas in Uzbekistan. I have urged him to make the process and the policies for Indian investments here smoother. President responded positively to my suggestion.

President was also supportive of strengthening our ongoing cooperation in the areas of agriculture, Information Technology and energy.

We also discussed steps needed to implement the contract for supply of uranium from Uzbekistan signed earlier.

President Karimov and I discussed various initiatives to further enhance connectivity between India and Uzbekistan.

I briefed him about the International North South Transport Corridor and proposed that Uzbekistan consider becoming a member. I sought his support for India joining the Ashgabat Agreement.

I am pleased with the agreements in the areas of Culture and Tourism, because they will bring our people closer.

Few countries can match Uzbekistan in nurturing Hindi and Indian culture. Tomorrow, I look forward to meeting a vibrant group of Indologists and Hindi linguists.

India will expand cooperation in capacity building through increase in the number of training offers in India. Consistent with our commitment, the Uzbekistan-India Information Technology Centre has been upgraded this year.

I welcome President Karimov’s assurance to ensure speedy completion of the Entrepreneurship Development Centre being set up in Tashkent.

We also discussed regional and international issues, including the situation in Afghanistan. We also have shared concerns on the rising threat of extremism and terrorism in our extended neighbourhood.

We agreed to intensify security cooperation and exchanges. The bilateral Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism will meet later this year. We also agreed to strenghen cooperation in defence and cyber security.

We look forward to working together within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Tomorrow, I will be paying a visit to the Monument of Independence and Humanism and the Memorial of Late Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. We are thankful to the people of Tashkent and Uzbekistan, for preserving the legacy of our former Prime Minister.

This has been a very rewarding visit. It has sown the seeds of a rich harvest in the years ahead.

I look forward to the opportunity of receiving President Karimov in India.

Thank you again for your hospitality and a wonderful meeting. Thank You.

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Prime Minister congratulates eminent personalities nominated to Rajya Sabha by the President of India
July 13, 2025

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has extended heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to four distinguished individuals who have been nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the President of India.

In a series of posts on social media platform X, the Prime Minister highlighted the contributions of each nominee.

The Prime Minister lauded Shri Ujjwal Nikam for his exemplary devotion to the legal profession and unwavering commitment to constitutional values. He said Shri Nikam has been a successful lawyer who played a key role in important legal cases and consistently worked to uphold the dignity of common citizens. Shri Modi welcomed his nomination to the Rajya Sabha and wished him success in his parliamentary role.

The Prime Minister said;

“Shri Ujjwal Nikam’s devotion to the legal field and to our Constitution is exemplary. He has not only been a successful lawyer but also been at the forefront of seeking justice in important cases. During his entire legal career, he has always worked to strengthen Constitutional values and ensure common citizens are always treated with dignity. It’s gladdening that the President of India has nominated him to the Rajya Sabha. My best wishes for his Parliamentary innings.”

Regarding Shri C. Sadanandan Master, the Prime Minister described his life as a symbol of courage and resistance to injustice. He said that despite facing violence and intimidation, Shri Sadanandan Master remained committed to national development. The Prime Minister also praised his contributions as a teacher and social worker and noted his passion for youth empowerment. He congratulated him on being nominated to the Rajya Sabha by Rashtrapati Ji and wished him well in his new responsibilities.

The Prime Minister said;

“Shri C. Sadanandan Master’s life is the epitome of courage and refusal to bow to injustice. Violence and intimidation couldn’t deter his spirit towards national development. His efforts as a teacher and social worker are also commendable. He is extremely passionate towards youth empowerment. Congratulations to him for being nominated to the Rajya Sabha by Rahstrapati Ji. Best wishes for his role as MP.”

On the nomination of Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla, the Prime Minister stated that he has distinguished himself as a diplomat, intellectual, and strategic thinker. He appreciated Shri Shringla’s contributions to India’s foreign policy and his role in India’s G20 Presidency. The Prime Minister said he is glad to see him nominated to the Rajya Sabha and expressed confidence that his insights will enrich parliamentary debates.

The Prime Minister said;

“Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla Ji has excelled as a diplomat, intellectual and strategic thinker. Over the years, he’s made key contributions to India’s foreign policy and also contributed to our G20 Presidency. Glad that he’s been nominated to the Rajya Sabha by President of India. His unique perspectives will greatly enrich Parliamentary proceedings.
@harshvshringla”

Commenting on the nomination of Dr. Meenakshi Jain, the Prime Minister said it is a matter of immense joy. He acknowledged her distinguished work as a scholar, researcher, and historian, and noted her contributions to education, literature, history, and political science. He extended his best wishes for her tenure in the Rajya Sabha.

The Prime Minister said;

“It’s a matter of immense joy that Dr. Meenakshi Jain Ji has been nominated to the Rajya Sabha by Rashtrapati Ji. She has distinguished herself as a scholar, researcher and historian. Her work in the fields of education, literature, history and political science have enriched academic discourse significantly. Best wishes for her Parliamentary tenure.
@IndicMeenakshi”