Overview
The Ministry of Commerce & Industry led a virtual meeting of the India‑Uzbekistan Intergovernmental Commission (IUIC) in Tashkent. Commerce Secretary Shri Rajesh Agrawal co‑chaired the 14th session with Uzbekistan’s Deputy Minister Shokhrukh Gulamov. Both sides pledged to deepen trade, cut non‑tariff barriers, and aim to double bilateral trade in the next three years.
Key Developments
- India’s FY 2025‑26 export estimate reaches US$ 860.09 billion; April‑May 2026‑27 exports hit US$ 162.69 billion, a 14.66 % rise YoY.
- Uzbekistan’s trade turnover with India in 2025 was US$ 1.3 billion, up 33.3 % YoY; imports from India grew 34.6 %, exports to India rose 25.4 %.
- Indian exports to Uzbekistan have shown a CAGR of 12.9 % over the last decade.
- Priority sectors identified: pharmaceuticals, medical devices, agricultural products, engineering goods, electronics, automobiles, textiles, chemicals, and services such as education, tourism, and logistics.
- Co‑operation in digital logistics and customs data exchange was proposed.
- Discussion on securing supply of critical minerals to support India’s digital economy.
Important Facts
Merchandise exports grew 16.09 %, driven by engineering goods, electronics, chemicals, petroleum products, and gems & jewellery. Uzbekistan’s services imports from India stood at US$ 372.2 million in 2024. Both sides highlighted the need for a time‑bound mechanism to resolve non‑tariff barriers like approvals, standards, testing, and certification.
Exam Relevance
The meeting underscores India’s strategic use of bilateral platforms to diversify trade partners, a key theme in GS 3 (Economy). Understanding the role of IUIC helps answer questions on India’s foreign trade policy and regional cooperation. The focus on critical minerals links to India’s energy security and Make in India initiatives. Issues of non‑tariff barriers are frequently asked in trade‑related essay topics.
Way Forward
Both governments agreed to hold the 15th IUIC meeting in India on a mutually convenient date. They will set up a mechanism to regularly review and resolve non‑tariff barriers. Indian ministries will invite Uzbek businesses to Indian trade fairs and encourage chamber‑to‑chamber interaction. Enhanced cooperation in digital logistics and critical‑mineral supply is expected to support India’s growing digital economy.