Lok Sabha Question No. 4695 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-24
Subject: Indo-Uzbekistan Summit
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, Kuldeep Rai Sharma, DNV Senthilkumar. S., Amol Ramsing Kolhe, Sunil Dattatray Tatkare, Supriya Sadanand Sule

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.4695

TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.03.2021

## INDIA-UZBEKISTAN SUMMIT

## 4695        Dr. Subhash Ramrao Bhamre:

Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma:

Dr. DNV Senthilkumar S.:

Dr. Amol Ramsing Kolhe:

Shri Sunil Dattatray T atkare:

Shrimati Supriya Sule:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state?

- (a) whether the Indo-Uzbekistan virtual Summit was concluded recently and if so, the details thereof alongwith the issues discussed;
- (b) whether   a   declaration   for   mutual   cooperation   in   various   fields between India and Uzbekistan was signed during the Summit;
- (c) if   so,   the   details   thereof   and   the   details   of   the   objectives   to   be achieved thereby;
- (d) the steps taken by the Government in pursuance thereto;
- (e) the number of virtual summits India had with other countries in the year 2020 and the current year and the outcome thereof; and
- (f) the details of other steps taken to enhance cooperation between India and Uzbekistan?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## [SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a)       The India- Uzbekistan Virtual Summit was held on 11 December 2020.   Issues   related   to   bilateral   cooperation   in political,   trade   and investment,   development   cooperation,   connectivity,   defence,   security, space,   capacity   building,   education,   health   and   cultural   sphere   and international issues of mutual interest including cooperation in the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and Afghanistan were discussed during the Summit.

- (b) Yes.

(c) Following the Summit, a Joint Statement on 'India-Uzbekistan Virtual Summit: Close Friendship, Strong Partnership' was issued encompassing various issues of mutual interest and measures of cooperation.

- -Following agreements for cooperation in various fields were also signed coinciding with the Virtual Summit:
1. Dollar Credit Line Agreement between Export-Import Bank of India and Government of Republic of Uzbekistan
2. Memorandum of Understanding between Government of India and Government of Uzbekistan regarding Indian Grant Assistance for Implementation of High Impact Community Development Projects Through Local Bodies;
3. Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Electronics and   Information   T echnology   of   India   and   the   Ministry   for Development of Information Technologies of Uzbekistan in the area of Digital T echnologies;
4. Memorandum of Understanding between National Institute of Solar Energy, Ministry   of   New   and   Renewable   Energy,   Government   of India and International Solar Energy Institute, Uzbekistan;
5.   Memorandum of Understanding between Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy of India and the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan;
6. Memorandum of Understanding between Indian Institute of Mass Communication and University of Journalism and   Mass Communication of Uzbekistan.
7. Memorandum of Cooperation between Indian Computer Emergency Response Team Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of India and the State unitary enterprise 'Cybersecurity center' of Uzbekistan;
8. Agreement on Mutual Recognition of results of products Conformity Assessment between Bureau of Indian Standards and The Uzbek Agency for Standardization, Metrology and Certification;
9. Memorandum of Understanding  between  Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs of India and the State Customs Committee of Uzbekistan  on   exchange   of   information   on   pre-arrival   of   goods moved across the state border.
- (d) Concerned Ministries/ agencies are working for implementation of the above-mentioned agreements.

(e)  The virtual Summits India had with other countries in the year 2020 and the current year-

## Bilateral

| S.   | Name of                  | Level of      | Outcome   |
|------|--------------------------|---------------|-----------|
| No.  | Summit and participating | Participation |           |

|    | country/ies with dates                                        |                                   |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|----|---------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  1 | India-Australia Leaders' Summit (Virtual) 04 June, 2020       | Prime Ministers of both countries | Elevation of the bilateral Strategic Partnership between India and Australia to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). i) In addition to Joint Statement on a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, t he Prime Ministerial Summit delivered eight agreements/MoUs to drive cooperation with Australia. It included (i) Joint Declaration on a Shared Vision for Maritime Cooperation in the Indo - Pacific; (ii) Arrangement concerning Mutual Logistics Support (MLSA); (iii) Framework Arrangement on Cyber and Cyber- Enabled Critical Technology Cooperation; (iv) MoU on Cooperation in the field of Mining and Processing of Critical and Strategic Minerals; (v) Implementing Arrangement concerning cooperation in Defence Science and Technology to the MoU on Defence Cooperation; (vi) MoU on Co-operation in the field of Public Administration and Governance Reforms; (vii) MoU on Cooperation in Vocational Education and Training; and (viii) MoU on Water Resources Management. |
|  2 | India-Sri Lanka Bilateral Summit (virtual) 26 September, 2020 | Prime Ministers of both countries | It was our Prime Minister's first such virtual engagement with a neighbouring country and also Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa's first diplomatic engagement with a leader of a foreign country after he was sworn in as PM on 09 August 2020. The Virtual Bilateral Summit gave an opportunity to the two leaders to comprehensively review the broad framework of the bilateral relationship in the context of the time-tested friendly ties between the two countries and give broad political direction for a strengthened and deepened collaborative partnership on key issues of mutual interest. A Joint Statement 'Mitratva Magga' was issued by both the nations on the occasion.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|  3 | India - Denmark                                               | Prime Ministers of                | Establishment of a Green Strategic Partnership ( GSP) between India and Denmark.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |

|    | summit (virtual) September, 2020                      | both countries                    | The GSP is intended to advance political cooperation, expand economic relations and green growth, create jobs and strengthen cooperation on addressing global challenges and opportunities, with focus on an ambitious implementation of the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Honb'le PM proposed setting up of 'India- Denmark Green Energy Park' in areas where there are large numbers of Danish companies, as well as an 'India-Denmark Skill Institute' so that the Danish companies will be able to get skilled manpower as per their requirement. Under GSP, India and Denmark will cooperate through relevant Ministries, institutions and stakeholders. Goals and actions will be identified within the enlisted areas and outlined in an Action Plan that will be worked out and endorsed as soon as possible.   |
|----|-------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  4 | India-Italy Summit (virtual) 06 November , 2020       | Prime Ministers of both countries | India-Italy Joint Statement and Plan of Action 2020-2024 issued during the Virtual Summit in November 2020 15 MoUs/Agreements were concluded during the Summit in diverse areas covering trade, ship building, fisheries, design, energy, financing etc.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|  5 | India- Luxembourg Summit (Virtual) 19 November , 2020 | Prime Ministers of both countries | The two Prime Ministers exchanged views on strengthening India-Luxembourg relationship in the post-COVID world, especially in the areas of financial technology, green financing, space applications, digital innovations and start-ups. The following Agreements were acknowledged during the Summit i) MoU between India International Exchange (India INX) and Luxembourg Stock Exchange for cooperation in financial services industry, securities market and green finance ii) MoU between State Bank of India and Luxembourg Stock Exchange for cooperation in financial services industry, securities market and green finance iii) MoU between Invest India and Luxinnovation for supporting and developing mutual business cooperation between Indian and Luxembourg                                                                       |

|    |                                                           |                                   | companies, including promotion and facilitation of inbound FDI, coming from or proposed by Indian and Luxembourgish investors.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|----|-----------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  6 | India - Bangladesh Summit (Virtual) 17 December, 2020     | Prime Ministers of both countries | i) Framework of Understanding on Cooperation in the Hydrocarbon Sector ii) MoU regarding Indian Grant Assistance for Implementation of High Impact Community Development Projects through Local Bodies and other Public Sector Institutions iii) Protocol on Transboundary Elephant Conservation iv) MoU for Supply of Equipment & Improvement of Garbage/Solid Waste Disposal Ground at Lamchori Area for Barishal City Corporation v) MoU on Cooperation in the field of Agriculture vi) MoU between Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Museum, Dhaka, Bangladesh and the National                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|  7 | India-Vietnam Leaders' Summit (Virtual) 21 December, 2020 | Prime Ministers of both countries | Museum, New Delhi, India (a) Both the Prime Ministers adopted 'Joint Vision Statement for Peace, Prosperity and Future'. (b) On the sideline of the Summit, following announcements and MoUs/Agreements were signed: i) Plan of Action for period 2021-2023 for further implementation of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. To implement the 'Joint Vision for Peace, Prosperity and People' through concrete actions proposed to be taken by both sides during 2021-2023. ii) Implementing Arrangement on Defence Industry Cooperation between Dept. of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, India and General Dept. of Defence Industry, Ministry of National Defence, Vietnam. To provide a framework for promoting cooperation between the defence industries of the two countries. iii) Agreement for US$ 5 million Indian Grant Assistance for Army Software Park at National Telecommunications University, Nha Trang, Vietnam between Embassy of India, Hanoi and Telecommunications University, Ministry of |

| National up of IT in Telecommunications with provision field of iv) Implementing for United India Operations Peacekeeping. development Peacekeeping. v) MOU Regulatory Radiation promote regulatory fields of vi) MOU Petroleum promote training. vii) MOU and Vietnam promote scientific collaboration cancer viii) MOU India and promote information power opportunities Vietnam. (c) Announcements: i) Implementation (HSGB) Guard Defence of India completed HSGBs seven HSGBs   |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

|    |                                              |                                   | ii) Completion and handing over of seven Development Projects with Indian 'Grant-in-Aid' Assistance of US$ 1.5 million for the benefit of local community in Vietnam's Ninh Thuan province. iii) Enhancing the number of annual Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) from currently five to ten commencing FY 2021-2022. iv) Three new Development Partnership projects in heritage conservation in Vietnam (F-block of Temple at My Son; Dong Duong Buddhist Monastery in Quang Nam province; and Nhan Cham Tower in Phu Yen province). v) Launch of bilateral project for preparing an Encyclopedia on India - Vietnam Civilizational and Cultural Relations.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|----|----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  8 | India-Sweden Summit (virtual) 05 March, 2021 | Prime Ministers of both countries | A Joint Statement was issued at the Virtual Summit. It included the following: Agreed to continue India-Sweden outreach to expand the membership of the Leadership Group on Industry Transition. Agreed that Indo-Swedish Joint Commission on Economic, Industrial and Scientific Cooperation will present proposals under the Joint Action Plan and Joint Innovation Partnership on further cooperation in innovation, health, and green recovery at its next meeting. Welcomed Sweden's decision to join the International Solar Alliance Welcomed the creation of a Sweden-India Health Hub at AIIMS-Jodhpur. Welcomed the launch of a second joint industrial R&D call on Smart and Sustainable Cities, Transport Systems, Clean Technologies and Digitalization under India-Sweden Collaborative Industrial Research & Development Programme. Welcomed the India-Sweden Collaborative Industrial Research & Development Programme on Smart Grids. Welcomed the proposal of an MoU on Aviation Knowledge Exchange and Technical Transfer Programme. |

| Welcomed between border sharing. Welcomed Swedish Sweden. welcomed major Swedish in India, Expressed cooperation Prime cooperation care, communicable Welcomed specific research participation Encouraged identify seek mutually both public Recognized dialogue and the a deepened strategic Welcomed Meeting Prime India on the UN Reiterated and peace reaffirmed governance democracy, better Prime Minister Sweden OSCE.   |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 9   | India-Finland Summit (virtual) 16 March, 2021   | Prime Ministers of both countries Prime Minister Marin entire regional interest. the Summit i) Announced Future ii) Announced between countries. iii) Announced involving Economy, that green bilateral iv) Endorsed Finland and coordinate domains. v) Signing consortium in India sector. vi) Agreed partners multilateralism, further (SDGs)   |
|-----|-------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

## Multilateral Meetings

|   S. No. | Name of Summit and participating country/ies with dates                                                                            | Level of Participation   | Outcome                                                             |
|----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Extraordinary G20 Summit Australia, Argentina, Brazil, China, Canada, EU, France, Germany, Italy, Indonesia, India, Japan, Mexico, | Prime Minister           | Extraordinary G20 Leaders' Summit Statement on COVID-19 was issued. |

|    | South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Turkey, Republic of Korea, USA, UK Jordan, UAE, Singapore, Switzerland, Spain, Vietnam, Rwanda   |                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|----|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  2 | 26 March, 2020 15 th India-EU Summit 15 July, 2020                                                                                   | Prime Minister represented the Indian side while the European Council President Mr. Charles Michel and the European Commission President Ms. Ursula Von Der Leyen represented the EU. | The Leaders reiterated their commitment to India-EU Strategic Partnership and discussed various issues including joint response to the pandemic, strengthening India- EUStrategic partnership & its various dimensions, as well as convergences and collaboration on the global arena covering multilateralism, international organizations & contemporary developments. The following documents/agreements were adopted during the Summit: i) Joint Statement ii) The India-EU Strategic Partnership: Roadmap to 2025 iii) Joint Declaration on Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy. iv) Agreement for Research and Development Cooperation in the field of Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy v) Agreement for Scientific and Technological Cooperation was renewed for another 5 years. |
|  3 | Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of Member States of Shanghai Cooperation Cooperation (SCO)                                  | Prime Minister                                                                                                                                                                        | A Joint Declaration was adopted.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |

|    | Russia hosted and chaired the virtual Summit level meeting. Other participating SCO Member States: India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. 10 November, 2020                                                                           |                                                                                   |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|----|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  4 | 17 th ASEAN-India Summit India and 10 ASEAN Member States (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam)                                                                                                 | Prime Minister of India                                                           | i) Review of ASEAN-India Cooperation and discussion on its future directions. ii) India announced USD 1 million contribution to COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund iii) Adoption and noting of ASEAN-India Plan of Action (2021-2025) |
|  5 | 12 November, 2020 BRICS Summit Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa                                                                                                                                                                                                 | Prime Ministers of Russia, India and Presidents of Brazil, China and South Africa | BRICS Leaders' Moscow Declaration was issued.                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|  6 | 17 November, 2020 G20 Summit Australia, Argentina, Brazil, China, Canada, EU, France, Germany, Italy, Indonesia, India, Japan, Mexico, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Turkey, Republic of Korea, USA, UK Jordan, UAE, Singapore, Switzerland, Spain, Vietnam, Rwanda | Prime Minister                                                                    | Leaders adopted the G20 Riyadh Summit Leaders' Declaration was issued.                                                                                                                                                          |

|    | 21-22 November,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |                                                                                      |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|----|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  7 | 2020 Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of Shanghai Cooperation. India hosted and chaired the virtual Summit level meeting. Other participating SCO Member States: Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. | Heads of Government. Hon'ble Vice President Shri Venkaiah Naidu chaired the meeting. | A Joint Communique was adopted.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|  8 | 30 November, 2020 Quad Leaders' Summit (Virtual) India, USA, Japan and Australia 12 March, 2021                                                                                                                                                                            | Prime Minister of India, Japan and Australia and President of USA                    | A Joint Statement was issued on the occasion of the first Quad Leaders' Virtual Summit. A Quad partnership for the supply of Covid-19 vaccines to the countries in the Indo-Pacific region was announced. Working Groups in vaccine partnership, climate and critical and emerging technology have also been established. |

## Additional Inofrmation

|   S. No. | Name of Summit and participating country/ies with dates           | Level of Participation                                                                                    | Outcome                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Virtual launch of RuPay card phase-II in Bhutan 20 November, 2020 | RuPay card phase-II was jointly launched by the Prime Ministers of India and Bhutan through virtual mode. | Launch of RuPay card Phase-II has enabled use of Bhutanese banks issued RuPay card in India. Earlier, the Prime Ministers of India and Bhutan had jointly launched Phase-I of the project during the State Visit of Prime Minister to |

|    |                                                                                                                                |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | Bhutan in August 2019. The implementation of Phase-I of RuPay cards in Bhutan has enabled visitors from India to access ATMs and Point of Sale (PoS) terminals across Bhutan.                                                                                 |
|----|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  2 | Virtual Inauguration of ICP Biratnagar and witnessing the progress in Housing Reconstruction Project in Nepal January 21, 2020 | Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, along with Prime Minister of Nepal Shri K.P. Sharma Oli jointly inaugurated the second Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Jogbani - Biratnagar through virtual mode. Both Prime Ministers also witnessed through virtual mode the progress in Government of India assisted post-earthquake housing reconstruction projects in Nepal. | ICP at Biratnagar would be facilitating mutual trade and people to people movement between India and Nepal. Out of GoI's post-earthquake reconstruction commitment to build 50,000 houses in Gorkha and Nuwakot districts, 45,000 were completed by Jan 2020. |

(f) Several steps are being taken to enhance cooperation between India and Uzbekistan.

i. There have been frequent high level visits between the two countries. Since the visits of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in 2015 and 2016 to Uzbekistan and those of President H.E. Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in October 2018 and January 2019, Strategic partnership has risen to a new level.

ii.   Both  countries have institutionalized mechanisms of Foreign Office Consultations and Inter-Governmental Commission to periodically review and   take   measures   to   follow   up   on   various   issues   pertaining   to cooperation in all sectors.

iii.   India   and   Uzbekistan   have   formed   their   respective   National Committees for implementation of joint projects to review progress on implementation of joint projects.

iv.   Joint   Working   Groups   in   IT,   agriculture   textiles,   pharmaceuticals, healthcare, tourism, science & technology, space cooperation, counterterrorism and defence have been constituted. Cooperation in these areas is being pursued under the oversight of these mechanisms.

v. On the business front, India-Uzbekistan Joint Business Forum has been established between the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Chamber   of   Commerce   &   Industry   of Uzbekistan.   Government   has encouraged private sector companies from both sides to engage with each other.

vi.   The   institutional   mechanism   of   the   India-Central   Asia   Business Council   has   also   been   set   up   in January   2019,   facilitating   exchanges between   Federation   of   Indian   Industries   (FICCI)   and   Chamber   of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan along with business chambers from other Central Asian countries. FICCI has organised 'Namaskar Eurasia' in February 2021 bringing together exporters and importers from India and countries across Eurasia including Uzbekistan.

vii. In the field of Defence cooperation, mechanisms like - Joint Working Group   (JWG)   on   Defence   cooperation,   deployment   of  Indian   Military Training T eam (IMTT), Joint Military Exercise (Dustlik) are in place.

viii. In the area of Development Partnership, an LoC agreement of USD 448   million   for   development   projects   was   signed   during   the   Virtual Summit in December 2020. Both sides are taking appropriate steps for the implementation of projects under this LoC.

ix.   T o   enhance   cultural   and   people   to   people   ties,  the   Lal   Bahadur Shastri Centre for Indian Culture (LBSCIC) run by ICCR is strengthening India-Uzbekistan cultural relations and imparting quality training in the fields of Indian classical dance, yoga, tabla and the teaching of Hindi in Uzbekistan.   In   October   2020,   LBSCIC   completed   its   25   years   of establishment in Uzbekistan.

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