Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred Uzbekistan's highest state award, the Order of Oliy Darajali Dustlik, by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during his visit to Tashkent on Sunday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honoured with Uzbekistan's supreme state award, the Order of Oliy Darajali Dustlik, during his visit to Tashkent.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev presented the award to Modi, recognising the close relationship between India and Uzbekistan.

Modi said he was proud to receive the honour and dedicated it to the enduring friendship between the two countries.

Why Uzbekistan gave PM Modi its highest state award

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred Uzbekistan's highest state honour, the Order of Oliy Darajali Dustlik, by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during his Tashkent visit. The award, which recognises friendship and cooperation, was presented as the two countries discussed expanding their strategic and economic partnership. Modi dedicated the honour to the people of India and said “Dostlik”, meaning friendship, captured the essence of India-Uzbekistan ties. The visit also saw announcements on a long-term uranium supply arrangement, higher-level bilateral coordination, sister-city and sister-state partnerships and a joint business summit.

Modi dedicates award to Indians

Reacting to the honour, Modi highlighted the meaning of the word “Dostlik”, which means friendship. He noted that Indians are also familiar with the word “Dost”, meaning friend.

Modi said the term reflected the sentiment at the heart of India-Uzbekistan relations.

He said the award was not an honour for him alone but for 1.4 billion Indians. Modi expressed gratitude to the people and government of Uzbekistan and to President Mirziyoyev.

Mirziyoyev praises India's progress

During delegation-level discussions, Mirziyoyev praised India's economic and technological progress under Modi's leadership.

The Uzbek president highlighted developments in areas including digitalisation, information technology, artificial intelligence and space exploration.

He also said India's voice and influence in global affairs had become stronger, adding that Uzbekistan welcomed India's progress as a close friend.

The talks also resulted in several decisions aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation.

Modi said India and Uzbekistan would establish a long-term arrangement for the supply of uranium.

The two countries are also working towards three sister-city and sister-state arrangements. Modi said both sides should prepare a roadmap to make full use of the potential offered by these partnerships.

Cooperation on New Tashkent and GIFT City

Modi referred to major development projects including New Tashkent in Uzbekistan and GIFT City in Gujarat.

He said India would be pleased to host a delegation from Uzbekistan so that it could study Indian experiences and best practices, including the use of technology in such large-scale developments.

Modi also referred to a book authored by Mirziyoyev that identifies projects in key sectors for strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries.

He welcomed the initiative and expressed confidence that the two sides could make rapid progress by working together.

New coordination mechanisms announced

India and Uzbekistan also agreed to strengthen institutional mechanisms for bilateral cooperation.

The two countries will establish a Coordination Council at the Foreign Minister level to provide direction to different areas of cooperation.

The Joint Commission between the two countries will also be upgraded from the Secretary level to the Ministerial level.

The move is intended to provide greater political direction and coordination to the expanding India-Uzbekistan partnership.

Business summit planned

India and Uzbekistan will jointly organise a business summit bringing together business leaders from both countries.

The initiative is expected to provide a platform for companies and investors from India and Uzbekistan to explore opportunities for greater economic cooperation.

Modi said the two leaders had held a productive discussion over dinner the previous evening and had taken several important decisions, with their respective teams also working towards implementing them.

Modi's award comes as India and Uzbekistan seek to broaden their relationship beyond traditional diplomatic engagement. The discussions in Tashkent covered areas including energy, technology, urban development, institutional cooperation and business.

The proposed long-term uranium supply arrangement is particularly significant for India's energy cooperation with Uzbekistan. Meanwhile, the planned ministerial-level mechanisms and business summit indicate an effort to give greater political and commercial momentum to bilateral ties.

The focus on artificial intelligence, digitalisation, space and major urban projects also reflects the expanding areas of cooperation between the two countries.