India, Uzbekistan sign 9 pacts; agree on concluding investment treaty soon

India and Uzbekistan on Thursday inked nine agreements for cooperation in several areas and agreed to step up efforts for an early conclusion of a bilateral investment treaty.

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India and Uzbekistan on Thursday inked nine agreements for cooperation in several areas and agreed to step up efforts for an early conclusion of a bilateral investment treaty. The agreements were signed at a virtual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The agreements signed are aimed at expanding cooperation in a range of areas including new and renewable energy, digital technologies, cyber security, community development projects, and in sharing of information on movement of goods.

At the virtual summit, PM Narendra Modi and Shavkat Mirziyoyev strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. According to a joint statement, both the leaders discussed about the need to combat the menace by "destroying" terrorist safe-havens, networks, infrastructure and funding channels. The joint statement said the two leaders discussed the situation in Afghanistan and noted that establishment of peace and stability in that country is of great importance to the security and stability of the entire region. In his opening remarks, PM Narendra Modi said the peace process in Afghanistan must preserve the achievements of the past two decades.

"We also have a similar approach on regional security issues. We agree that the restoration of peace in Afghanistan requires a process that itself is led, owned and controlled by Afghanistan. It is also necessary to preserve the achievements of the last two decades," PM Modi said.

Speaking at the India Uzbekistan Virtual Summit. https://t.co/MuEMaXAEVi — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 11, 2020

The joint statement said India and Uzbekistan expressed their unanimity in their support for a united, sovereign and democratic Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Holding that the current level of bilateral trade does not reflect the true potential, the two leaders also instructed officials concerned to fast-track the conclusion of an ongoing joint feasibility study that will pave the way for commencement of negotiations on a preferential trade agreement, it said. (With PTI inputs) ALSO READ | Ladakh standoff: China violated bilateral agreements, expect full restoration of peace, says MEA