India, Uzbekistan elevate ties to comprehensive strategic partnership, deepen critical minerals cooperation

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Tashkent, Aug 30 (IANS) India and Uzbekistan on Sunday elevated their bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev placing a strong focus on cooperation in critical minerals, uranium supplies and economic security during their talks in Tashkent.

As part of his state visit to Uzbekistan, PM Modi held wide-ranging discussions with President Mirziyoyev at the Kuksaroy Presidential Palace covering trade and investment, critical minerals, defence and security, innovation and start-ups, digital public infrastructure and UPI, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, agriculture, education, tourism, space and people-to-people ties.

PM Modi welcomed the progress made towards a long-term arrangement for the supply of uranium from Uzbekistan to India and underlined the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation in critical minerals.

The focus on these resources assumes significance as both countries seek to build more resilient supply chains for minerals that are crucial for clean energy, advanced manufacturing and strategic technologies.

The two leaders also set an ambitious target of $5 billion in bilateral trade by 2030 and called for the organisation of a business summit to further expand economic and investment ties.

They agreed to establish a Foreign Ministers-led mechanism to take forward the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and decided to raise the existing Inter-Governmental Commission to the ministerial level.

The talks also highlighted the long-standing civilisational and people-to-people connections between India and Uzbekistan. PM Modi appreciated the growing popularity of Yoga in Uzbekistan and earlier attended a Yoga session organised by the Yoga Federation of Uzbekistan.

Marking the 60th anniversary of the passing of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, PM Modi announced the Lal Bahadur Shastri Scholarship for Hindi language for Uzbek students.

India also announced a $1 million grant for Uzbekistan’s environmental rehabilitation efforts in the Aral Sea region.

–IANS

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MP Minister Vishwas Sarang joins traders in Narela to promote ‘Swadeshi’ initiative

Bhopal, Sep 19 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Minister and senior BJP leader Vishwas Sarang on Friday joined a local campaign being run by traders in the Narela Assembly constituency to promote the adoption of ‘Swadeshi’ products. The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent appeal on his birthday, urging citizens to choose domestic products to help India become a developed nation by 2047.

Traders in Narela have taken the lead by pledging to stock and sell only Swadeshi goods in their shops. To spread awareness, many shops have displayed clear lists distinguishing between Swadeshi and foreign products.

Speaking to IANS, Sarang said: “The effort is to encourage the public to shift more and more towards Swadeshi. Following the Prime Minister’s call, traders here have taken the initiative seriously. They’ve put up lists of Swadeshi and foreign goods in their shops. The Prime Minister is a leader whose initiatives are widely accepted by the public. Traders are already saying this initiative is very successful. I too urge everyone to support and adopt Swadeshi.”

Earlier this week, while addressing a public gathering on his 75th birthday in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district, Prime Minister Modi had stressed the importance of choosing locally made products during the upcoming festive season.

“This is the season of festivals, and at this time, we must focus on the mantra of Swadeshi. I have a humble request to my 140 crore fellow countrymen — whatever you buy, it should be made in our country. It should carry the sweat and hard work of an Indian. It should carry the fragrance of the soil of our motherland,” he had said.

PM Modi had appealed to the trader community to lead by example.

“I especially appeal to my trader brothers and sisters—support me in this effort. Stand with me for the betterment of the nation. I want to see India become a developed country by 2047. The path to that goal lies through Atmanirbhar Bharat and a self-reliant India,” he added.

Since 2014, under PM Modi’s leadership, campaigns like Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and Vocal for Local have emphasised domestic manufacturing, reduced foreign dependence, and promoted startups and MSMEs, reviving Swadeshi values and economic nationalism.

–IANS

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JD-U slams Bihar Congress for sharing photos of Pahalgam terrorists (Lead)

Patna, May 13 (IANS) Janata Dal (United) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar on Tuesday strongly criticised the Bihar Congress for sharing photographs of four terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack, calling it a “heinous crime” and demanding clarification from the party.

The controversy erupted following a post from the official handle of the Bihar Congress, which included an image of the four terrorists allegedly involved in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The post questioned the effectiveness of India’s recent military operation, stating: “Operation Sindoor is incomplete, as long as the beasts of Pahalgam are alive.”

The Pahalgam attack claimed the lives of 26 people. In retaliation, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting and destroying nine terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Following this, Pakistan reportedly responded with drone and missile strikes, prompting a further counteraction from India. After a brief period of escalating tension, a ceasefire was reportedly reached on April 10. Amid this tense backdrop, the Bihar Congress’s social media post has triggered political uproar.

Speaking to IANS, JD-U’s Neeraj Kumar condemned the Congress’s move, accusing the party of disrespecting national security and the sacrifice of Indian soldiers.

“The Bihar Congress Committee has committed a heinous act by posting the image of terrorists without tagging the Home Ministry, the Ministry of External Affairs, or even their own national leadership like Rahul Gandhi or Mallikarjun Kharge,” Kumar said.

He further questioned the intent behind the post: “If you share the photograph of terrorists and claim they are still alive, are you suggesting you know their location? Then tell us, where are they? Is this how responsible politics is done?”

Kumar said such a post undermines the bravery of Indian soldiers who lost their lives in Operation Sindoor. He emphasised that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had clearly stated that India had successfully targeted the perpetrators behind the Pahalgam attack and warned of decisive retaliation against any future threats.

“The Congress party needs to clarify whether it stands with the nation or is trying to demoralise our armed forces. The post by Bihar Congress is not just irresponsible—it is criminal in nature,” he added.

Neeraj Kumar also reiterated Prime Minister Modi’s firm stand on India’s diplomatic stance towards Pakistan, emphasising that dialogue would only occur on two issues: terrorism and the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made it clear that we will only engage on our terms. No country can mediate or dictate terms to us. There will be no sanctuary for terrorism, no universities for global jihad on PoK soil. The unity of 140 crore Indians and the valour of our military has made this possible,” he concluded.

–IANS

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Nitish Kumar pays tribute to wife on death anniversary in Nalanda​

Patna, May 14 (IANS) On the death anniversary of his wife, Manju Sinha, former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, accompanied by his son, Nishant Kumar, visited his native village, Kalyan Bigha in Nalanda district, and paid floral tributes to her.​

Upon arrival, he first offered prayers at a local temple and paid homage to his late wife, Manju Devi.​

Nitish Kumar appeared visibly emotional during the tribute ceremony at the memorial garden (Smriti Vatika), where he offered flowers and garlands with tear-filled eyes.​

Following this, he proceeded to his ancestral home and interacted with party workers and supporters, who had gathered in large numbers.​

During the interaction, local workers presented various regional issues and grievances.​

Nitish Kumar listened attentively and assured them that the District Magistrate, Kundan Kumar, would ensure prompt resolution of their concerns.​

This assurance was met with satisfaction among those present.​

Several prominent leaders were also in attendance, including Rural Development and Information & Public Relations Minister Shravan Kumar and Member of Parliament Kaushalendra Kumar.​

They joined in paying tribute to Manju Devi and extended condolences to the family.​

In a lighter moment during the visit, Nitish Kumar and Nishant Kumar were seen feeding puffed rice (muri) to fish in a village pond, a gesture that drew attention and became a talking point among villagers.​

Meanwhile, Nishant Kumar maintained a distance from the media and refrained from interacting with reporters.​

Instead, he engaged with legislators and party workers before leaving for his maternal grandparents’ residence.​

Adding a political dimension to the visit, Nishant Kumar’s uncle, Satish Kumar, expressed his hope that Nishant would rise to the post of Chief Minister in the future.​

Speaking to reporters, he said that Nishant Kumar has a bright political future, a view he claimed to have held for some time.​

“He was destined to enter politics, and having done so, he has made the right choice. Whether he becomes Chief Minister will ultimately be decided by the people of Bihar, but we certainly wish to see him achieve great success,” Satish Kumar said.

–IANS

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