{
  "id": 5227690,
  "title": "Uzbekistan Emerging as a Strategic Gateway for Indian Businesses in Central Asia, says Dr. Kalantri",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/uzbekistan-emerging-as-a-strategic-gateway-for-indian-businesses-in",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-03T02:28:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/corporate-gallery/uzbekistan-emerging-as-a-strategic-gateway-for-indian-businesses-in-central-asia-says-dr-kalantri"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dr. Vijay Kalantri, an Honorary Consul of Uzbekistan and Chairman of the MVIRDC World Trade Center in Mumbai, has highlighted Uzbekistan's growing importance as a strategic gateway for Indian businesses in Central Asia. The relationship between India and Uzbekistan has taken a significant turn with the upgrade to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Dr. Kalantri believes this can be a pivotal step in achieving India's target of bilateral trade surpassing US$5 billion by 2030.\n\nA key factor in this potential growth is the proposed 30-day visa-free regime between India and Uzbekistan. This measure is expected to facilitate increased business travel, trade delegations, exhibitions, tourism, and investment partnerships. Dr. Kalantri emphasized that such ease of movement can stimulate business interactions and partnerships.\n\nFurther, Dr. Kalantri pointed out the potential for deeper cooperation between India and Uzbekistan in several sectors, including critical minerals, uranium and energy security, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, agriculture, digital technology, and manufacturing. Uzbekistan's resource base could complement India's expanding needs, while Indian industries could contribute expertise in technology, healthcare, manufacturing, and skill development.\n\nThe recognition of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Uzbekistan's highest honor, the 'Oliy Darajali Do'stlik' Order, underscores the warmth of the bilateral relations and India's rising global stature. Modi's visits to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, along with India's participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), underline the escalating strategic and economic significance of Central Asia. This could potentially bolster trade, investment, and business ties across the region.",
  "summary": "“The elevation of India-Uzbekistan relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership marks an important new phase in our engagement with Central Asia. The target of taking bilateral trade to over US$ 5 billion by 2030 is achievable through greater business-to-business engagement, joint ventures, investment and diversification of the trade basket. The proposed 30-day visa-free regime between…",
  "key_points": [
    "Dr. Vijay Kalantri highlights Uzbekistan as strategic gateway for Indian businesses in Central Asia.",
    "Proposed 30-day visa-free regime expected to boost business travel and trade.",
    "Cooperation in sectors like critical minerals, energy security, and digital technology anticipated."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}