Uzbekistan Announces 30-Day Visa-Free Regime for Indian Citizens

Uzbekistan on Sunday announced a 30-day visa-free regime for Indian citizens, with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev saying the decision would significantly strengthen people-to-people contacts, tourism and business exchanges between the two countries.

Mirziyoyev made the announcement during delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Tashkent, held as part of Modi's two-day State visit to Uzbekistan.

Emphasising the growing momentum in India-Uzbekistan relations, the Uzbek President called India a "reliable strategic partner" and highlighted the increase in bilateral trade, joint ventures and connectivity between the two nations.

"India is our reliable strategic partner. Last year, our bilateral trade exceeded USD 1 billion for the first time. In recent years, the number of joint ventures has increased sevenfold. There are now 14 direct flights between our countries every week," Mirziyoyev said.

He also underlined the contribution of cultural institutions such as the Lal Bahadur Shastri Center for Indian Culture and the Mahatma Gandhi Center for Indian Studies in strengthening humanitarian ties between India and Uzbekistan.

Mirziyoyev noted that the philosophy and practice of Yoga have gained increasing popularity in Uzbekistan, which has had a dedicated Yoga Federation since 2018.

He further said that a nationwide Yoga Festival was organised across Uzbekistan in June this year.

"The introduction of a 30-day visa-free regime for Indian citizens will make a significant contribution to the development of people-to-people contacts, tourism, and business exchanges," Mirziyoyev added.

The announcement comes during PM Modi's two-day State visit to Uzbekistan, which is aimed at further strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation across various sectors.

India and Uzbekistan established diplomatic relations on March 18, 1992, when the protocol establishing diplomatic ties was signed in Tashkent. India was among the first countries to recognise Uzbekistan's sovereignty after its independence.

The two nations elevated their relationship to a Strategic Partnership in 2011. The partnership is supported by several institutional mechanisms at the political and official levels to facilitate regular engagement.

Modi's current visit, from August 29 to August 30, comes after his previous visit to Uzbekistan in 2015, as well as his visits in 2016 and 2022 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summits.

The bilateral relationship has also seen several high-level exchanges, including President Mirziyoyev's State Visit to India in 2018 and his participation in the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in 2019.

After his visit to Tashkent, PM Modi will travel to Bishkek at the invitation of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov to attend the 26th SCO Summit, which will mark 25 years of the organisation.

The newly announced visa-free regime is expected to make travel between India and Uzbekistan easier while giving a further boost to tourism, business interactions and wider people-to-people exchanges.