‘India looking forward to combating terrorism along with Uzbekistan’: PM Modi

Expressing concern over the issue of terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that India is looking forward to combating the menace along with Uzbekistan, besides enhancing bilateral ties with the country.

“I and the president discussed regional and international issues including the situation of Afghanistan. We also shared our concerns on the rising threat of extremism and terrorism in our extended neighbourhood,” he said.

The Prime Minister further said that India was looking forward to expanding bilateral ties with Uzbekistan in matters related to economic cooperation, advancing stability and promoting regional integration.

“In recent years, India and Uzbekistan have built a strategic partnership on the foundation of mutual respect and shared interests. I conveyed to the President Karimov, there is strong interest in Indian business to invest with Uzbekistan. This includes expanding economic cooperation, combating terrorism, advancing stability and promoting regional integration,” said Prime Minister Modi.

“I urged him to make the process and the policies for Indian investments smoother, President responded positively to my suggestion. President Karimov & I discussed various initiatives to further enhance connectivity between India and Uzbekistan. We also discussed steps needed to implement the contract of supply of uranium from Uzbekistan signed earlier. I briefed the President about the international North-South transport corridor& proposed that Uzbekistan consider becoming a member,” he added.

He further thanked the people of Tashkent for their warm welcome and hospitality.

“I’ am delighted to be in this historic and beautiful place, it carries the warmth of familiarity that comes from stories we grew up with. I thank the President and the people here for their warm welcome and hospitality. I share President Karimov’s desire to raise the level of our economic engagement,” he said.

Prime Minister Modi, who arrived in Tashkent today on the first leg of his eight-day tour to five central Asian countries and Russia, has also presented a specially commissioned reproduction of the Khamsa-i-Khusrau to Karimov.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi met his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev, whom he thanked for the warm welcome accorded to him upon his arrival. (ANI)