India extends $448 mil Line of Credit to Uzbekistan; 9 MoUs signed for cooperation: MEA

India and Uzbekistan on Friday attended a bilateral summit via video-conferencing where India extended a $448 million Line of Credit to Uzbekistan, informed Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).  two countries also signed 9 agreements and MOUs pertaining to cooperation across various sectors, stressing need to improve bilateral ties.  

While addressing a press conference, Adarsh Swaika, Joint Secretary, Eurasia revealed that Uzbekistan had also proposed a trilateral meeting with Iran to promote connectivity through Chabahar port. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended summit. 

"India's PM was expected to visit Uzbekistan in July this year, however, due to COVID pandemic, visit couldn't take place. refore we decided for virtual summit today. Uzbekistan has proposed a trilateral meeting with Iran to promote connectivity through Chabahar port," said Adarsh Swaika. 

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According to MEA, two countries discussed a gambit of issues including regional and multilateral issues. y also discussed cooperation over COVID-19 pandemic. "9 agreements and MOUs were signed pertaining to cooperation in solar energy, journalism, police training, information and communication techlogy, and or sectors. Our defence and security cooperation has also been strengned," he said adding that a USD 448 million of Line of Credit had been extended to Uzbekistan for four developmental projects in fields of road construction, sewer treatment and information techlogy.

"Terrorism was also discussed and both leaders underlined need for concerted effort to combat this menace. re is a complete meeting of minds on terrorism. Both countries have unequivocally condemned terrorism. Both leaders have also underlined need for every country to ensure that its territory is t used to launch terrorist attacks against or countries," added Adarsh Swaika. 

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(With ncy Inputs)