Focus on Trade, Investment & BRICS Meeting 2026
New Delhi, May 14 India and Uzbekistan held the 17th round of Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi on Wednesday, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations across key sectors such as trade, investment, tourism, technology, innovation, energy, and education. Both sides also discussed cultural cooperation and consular matters.
The meeting was co-chaired by Sibi George, Secretary (West), and Bakhromjon Aloev, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan.
According to MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the discussions covered the entire spectrum of bilateral ties, along with an exchange of views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
India and Uzbekistan share historically deep-rooted ties. India was among the first countries to recognise Uzbekistan’s sovereignty following its independence. Diplomatic relations between the two nations were formally established in Tashkent in 1992, and the partnership was elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2011.
Earlier in the day, Bakhromjon Aloev arrived in New Delhi to participate in the upcoming BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which will be hosted by India from Thursday. The Ministry of External Affairs extended a warm welcome to the visiting dignitary.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will chair the meeting scheduled for May 14–15. India holds the BRICS chairmanship in 2026 under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” reflecting a people-centric vision highlighted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 17th BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 2025.
