India and Uzbekistan Signed 34 Agreements during the visit of Islam Karimov

India and Uzbekistan signed a total of 34 agreements during the visit of Islam Abduganievich Karimov(President of Uzbekistan) to India on 17-18 May 2011.  The major agreements between India and Uzbekistan are as following:
• Memorandum of Understanding between ONGC Videsh Limited and Uzbekneftegaz on Cooperation in Hydrocarbon Sector.
• Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in Oil and Gas sector between Uzbekneftegaz and ESSAR group.
• Agreement of establishment of Joint Business Council between the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan.

India and Uzbekistan also issued a joint statement on strategic partnership during this visit. The important features of the joint statement are as following:
• The strategic partnership between India and Uzbekistan would include active cooperation in a wide spectrum of areas such as political, economic, counter-terrorism, education, health, human resource development, science and technology, tourism and culture.
• India and Uzbekistan noted the importance of improving the financial infrastructure for promoting trade and investment. The MoU between the Exim Bank of India and the National Bank of Uzbekistan is aimed at streamlining the flow of credit.
• The two sides also welcomed the intialling of the Protocol amending the bilateral Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement which would help promote investment and cross-border movement of goods, services and technology between the two nations.
• India and Uzbekistan agreed to continue their work in terms of looking for several options for surface connectivity between India and Uzbekistan.
• India and Uzbekistan agreed to intensify contacts between educational institutions of both nations and to enhance cooperation in human resources development.
• India and Uzbekistan stressed the need to intensify cultural cooperation.
• India and Uzbekistan condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Both sides also noted with satisfaction that the fourth meeting of the Indo-Uzbek Joint Working Group on combating international terrorism discussed several issues of security and counter terrorism.
• They stressed on the need for adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.
• India and Uzbekistan discussed the unstable situation in Afghanistan.
• India and Uzbekistan reaffirmed their commitment to the reform of the United Nations, particularly the Security Council. Uzbekistan reiterated its support for India’s candidature for permanent membership of an expanded Security Council.
• Both nations underscored the importance of strengthening mutual cooperation in the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.