AMN / NEW DELHI
India and Uzbekistan have decided to deepen strategic partnership in various areas, including security, counter-terrorism, trade and investment, science and technology and nuclear energy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held bilateral talks here today.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Mr. Mirziyoyev, Mr Modi assured all possible assistance to Uzbekistan in ensuring peace and stability in the region.
The Prime Minister said, prosperous and stable Afghanistan is in the interest of the entire region.
A joint statement issued after talks between Mr Modi and Mr. Mirziyoyev, the two countries have decided to start negotiations on a preferential trade agreement.
Both sides agreed to expand cooperation and the target for bilateral trade is one billion dollars by 2020. New Delhi has decided to extend a 200-million dollars line of credit to Tashkent for social infrastructure projects.
Both the countries favoured the introduction of direct flights between Tashkent and Mumbai and agreed to explore various options to enhance surface connectivity between them.
Earlier, India and Uzbekistan signed 17 MoUs in various fields, including agriculture, tourism, combating illicit trafficking, health and medical science and pharmaceuticals.