India, Uzbekistan seal long-term uranium supply deal during PM Modi visit - The Times of India

**India and Uzbekistan Sign Long‑Term Uranium Supply Pact as PM Modi Receives Top Honor**

New Delhi and Tashkent concluded a landmark agreement on the supply of uranium during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s three‑day state visit to Uzbekistan. The deal, described by officials as “long‑term” and “strategic,” will see Uzbekistan exporting uranium to India to help meet the latter’s expanding civilian nuclear energy programme. In recognition of the deepening bilateral ties, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev conferred upon Prime Minister Modi the prestigious **‘Oliy Darajali Do‘stlik’ Order**, Uzbekistan’s highest civilian award for friendship.

The uranium pact forms part of a broader economic roadmap unveiled by the two leaders, which sets a **$5 billion trade target** for the next five years. Both sides highlighted Uzbekistan’s pivotal location at the heart of Central Asia and its potential as a hub for energy, logistics and investment. In addition to uranium, the agreement envisions cooperation in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, information technology, and renewable energy, with a view to diversifying and deepening commercial ties beyond traditional commodities.

Prime Minister Modi’s Uzbekistan itinerary precedes his participation in the **Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit**, where he is slated to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping. Analysts note that the uranium agreement and the $5 billion trade ambition underscore India’s strategy to secure critical resources while strengthening its diplomatic outreach across Eurasia, aligning with its broader goal of energy security and a more balanced geopolitical footing.

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