Tashkent: India and Uzbekistan decided to elevate their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership and are in the process of establishing a framework for long-term supply of Uranium, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Sunday.
The Prime Minister made the remarks during his talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Modi landed in Tashkent Saturday on a two-day visit to bolster ties with Uzbekistan in a range of areas including trade, clean energy and connectivity.
New Delhi has been looking at procuring Uranium from Uzbekistan to produce nuclear energy for civilian purpose.
“We are celebrating the 15th anniversary of our strategic partnership. I am delighted that, on this special occasion, we are elevating our ties to the level of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” Modi said in his opening remarks at the bilateral talks.
“We will move forward by setting concrete goals within this framework,” he said in Hindi.
The Prime Minister also made a mention of the “productive talks” he had with the Uzbek president over dinner last night.
“We had a productive discussion over dinner last night and took several important decisions.”
“We will establish a Coordination Council at the level of foreign ministers to provide direction to all aspects of our cooperation through close coordination,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister said both sides will also elevate their existing joint commission from the level of secretaries to that of ministerial level.
“Both sides will jointly organise a business summit featuring business leaders from both nations.”
“We will also establish a long-term arrangement for the supply of uranium,” he said.