Joint Statement by the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of India
05/04/2005
At the invitation of the President of the Republic of India, H E Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, H E Mr. Islam Abduganievich Karimov, paid a State visit to the Republic of India from 4-6 April 2005.
During the visit, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, H.E. Mr. Islam A. Karimov met with President Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam. He also held meetings with Vice President Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, and Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Minister of Defence; Shri K. Natwar Singh, Minister of External Affairs and Shri Kamal Nath, Minister of Commerce & Industry.
The visit of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Republic of India provided a continuation to the practice of regular exchange of high level visits between Uzbekistan and India, and is symbolic of the longstanding historical ties and deep cultural affinity that exists between the two countries. The talks were held in an atmosphere of warmth, friendship, trust and mutual confidence that is characteristic of the relationship.
Both Sides note with satisfaction the development of bilateral relations which serves their long term national interests, strengthens bilateral cooperation, and contributes to international peace and security. The Sides confirm their intention to further develop their bilateral relations on the principles of the UN Charter, respect for each other’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs.
The Sides note that the existing level of consultations between them promotes bilateral relations. The Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of India wish to continue this intensive interaction to strengthen friendship between the peoples of the two States for mutual benefit. The Sides noted with satisfaction the signing of the following bilateral agreements during the visit:
(i) Agreement on cooperation in Military and Military-Technical areas between the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of India.
(ii) Exchange Programme between the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Government of the Republic of India on cooperation in the field of Education.
(iii) Programme of Cooperation between the Ministry of Culture of the Government of Republic of India and the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Government of Republic of Uzbekistan for the period 2005-2007.
(iv) Agreement between the Government of Republic of India and the Government of Republic of Uzbekistan on Cooperation in the sphere of Support of Small and Private Entrepreneurship.
The Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of India are convinced that development of trade and tourism between India and Uzbekistan will promote people-to-people contacts that have historically existed between the two Sides, and strengthen cooperation and goodwill between the peoples of the two States. In this connection, the Sides noted the signing between the concerned organizations of the two countries of the following documents:
(i) Agreement on cooperation between the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan.
(ii) Agreement on cooperation between the Federation of Indian Export Organisations and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan.
(iii) Memorandum of Understanding between the State Trading Corporation of India Ltd. and the Agency for Foreign Economic Relations of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
(iv) Protocol of Understanding between Ghalib Institute (India) and Tashkent State Institute of Oriental Studies (Uzbekistan).
(v) Memorandum of Understanding between Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi and the University of World Economy and Diplomacy, Tashkent.
(vi) Protocol of Intention for cooperation in Tourism between National Company of Uzbekistan “Uzbektourism” and the Tourism Development Corporation of India.
(vii) Memorandum of Understanding on business cooperation between the National Bank for Foreign Economic Activities of Uzbekistan and Export-Import Bank of India.
(viii) Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the National Bank for Foreign Economic Activities of Uzbekistan and the State Bank of India.
The Sides will encourage further contacts between their businessmen and entrepreneurs and facilitate their visits to each other’s country.
The Sides recognize the need to enhance trade, economic and investment cooperation and linkages in the banking and finance sector. They expressed satisfaction at the results of the Fifth Session of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation, held in Tashkent in January 2005. Sides note the potential for cooperation in the sphere of small business and entrepreneurship, light industry, oil and gas, aviation, tourism, pharmaceuticals and information technology etc.
The Sides also welcomed the setting up of a joint Uzbek-Indian trading house in India to facilitate and promote bilateral trade.
The Sides noted the potential of Information Technology in improving the lives of people. The Republic of Uzbekistan noted with satisfaction the completion of the computerization project of post offices in Tashkent carried out through India’s aid programme. It also welcomed the commencement of work in March 2005 for the cooperation project in Tashkent to set up an Indo-Uzbek Centre for Information Technology.
The Sides noted with satisfaction the importance of the growing opportunities for technical training and higher education in India provided to Uzbek nationals under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme and other Indian scholarships. They agreed to intensify linkages between educational institutions in the two countries.
Noting the rich historical and cultural heritage of the two countries, the Sides emphasize the need to intensify further cultural cooperation which contributes to strengthening the bonds between their peoples.
The Sides underline their resolve to fight terrorism on a long term and sustained basis and affirm that international terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and condemn in the strongest terms all acts of terrorism. The Sides emphasize the need for an early conclusion of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.
The Sides intend to continue consultations between Ministries of Foreign Affairs of both the States, and coordinate their efforts through the Joint Working Group on Combating International Terrorism.
The Sides expressed their support to the efforts of the Government of Afghanistan to build a strong, united, prosperous and independent country. The geographical location and traditional links with Afghanistan of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of India together with their economic and technical potential, provide possibilities for cooperation in the reconstruction process in Afghanistan. The Sides underlined the importance of early realization of the international trans-Afghanistan transport corridor.
Realization of this project will significantly decrease the distance and associated costs for transportation of goods between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of India, and will also provide an opportunity to Afghanistan to integrate into the regional system of transport and communications. It was noted that the Zaranj – Delaram road stretch, being built by India in Afghanistan, will constitute a key segment of the route linking Uzbekistan to the Chahbahar Port in Iran.
The Sides stressed the urgent need for reforms of the structure and functioning of the United Nations Organisation so as to enhance its efficacy in dealing with the contemporary challenges and making it more reflective of the current geo-political and economic realities. Uzbekistan supports intention of India to become a permanent member of the expanded UN Security Council.
The Sides noted with satisfaction that the consultations during the visit constituted an important event in the steady development of mutually beneficial Indo-Uzbek cooperation.
The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan H.E. Mr. Islam Karimov invited the President of the Republic of India, H.E. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to pay a State Visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan. The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan also invited H.E. Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India to visit Uzbekistan. The invitations were accepted with pleasure. The dates of the visits will be established through diplomatic channels.
New Delhi
April 5, 2005
