Visa-Free Entry Announced
Uzbekistan has announced a 30-day visa-free entry regime for Indian citizens, a move announced by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Tashkent on Sunday, as part of Modi's two-day state visit to the Central Asian nation. The policy, which takes effect immediately, is aimed at strengthening travel, trade, and cultural ties between the two countries.
President Mirziyoyev said the move would strengthen people-to-people contacts, tourism, and business exchanges. "The introduction of a 30-day visa-free regime for Indian citizens will make a significant contribution to the development of people-to-people contacts, tourism, and business exchanges," he said, as quoted by Times Now.
Strengthening Ties
During the talks, Mirziyoyev described India as a "reliable strategic partner" and highlighted the growing economic relationship. He noted that bilateral trade exceeded $1 billion last year for the first time, and that the number of joint ventures between the two countries had increased sevenfold in recent years. He also pointed to the 14 direct flights operating weekly between India and Uzbekistan, according to CNBC TV18 and Times Now.
The visa-free regime is expected to make travel more convenient for Indian tourists and business travellers, supporting greater movement between the two countries. The announcement comes as connectivity expands, with the Uzbek president highlighting the growing cultural links, including the Lal Bahadur Shastri Centre for Indian Culture and the Mahatma Gandhi Centre for Indian Studies, as reported by CNBC TV18.
Context and Background
India and Uzbekistan established diplomatic relations on March 18, 1992, and upgraded their relationship to a Strategic Partnership in 2011, according to CNBC TV18. Modi's latest visit was his fourth to Uzbekistan; he previously visited in 2015 and travelled there in 2016 and 2022 for Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summits, the outlet reported.
Following the talks in Tashkent, Modi departed for Bishkek to attend the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, as reported by Times Now.
Travel and Tourism
For Indian travellers, the new policy opens up easier access to Uzbekistan's historic Silk Road cities. Livemint noted that travellers should check with Uzbek authorities for the final implementation date and applicable entry requirements before booking their trip.
Uzbekistan offers a range of attractions, from the elaborate interiors of Tashkent Metro stations, featuring mosaics, chandeliers, sculptures, and murals, to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Samarkand's historic centre, with the Registan among its most famous landmarks. Other major attractions in Samarkand include the Bibi-Khanum Mosque, Shahi Zinda, and Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, according to Livemint.
Bukhara is known for its historic architecture and traditional trading quarters. The country's signature dish is plov, a rice-based preparation with hundreds of regional variations, and other dishes include manti, steamed dumplings that may be filled with meat or pumpkin, and shashlik, grilled skewers commonly served as part of Uzbek cuisine. In Rishtan, visitors can explore Uzbekistan's renowned ceramic-making heritage, and in Margilan, the Yodgorlik Silk Factory offers an opportunity to see traditional silk production, Livemint reported.
Yoga has also gained popularity in Uzbekistan, which established a dedicated Yoga Federation in 2018, according to CNBC TV18 and Livemint.