Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Nov.19
By Demir Azizov- Trend:
Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Komilov received copies of credentials from Vikram Kumar Doraiswami, who was appointed Ambassador of India to Uzbekistan, said a statement of the Foreign Ministry of Uzbekistan.
The statement said that during the meeting the sides discussed the state and priorities for the development of the Uzbek-Indian cooperation in bilateral and multilateral formats, as well as important regional and international issues.
Uzbek foreign minister and Indian ambassador confirmed their interest in expanding bilateral trade, implementing the considerable potential for the implementation of joint projects in various sectors of the economy.
Particular attention was given to proposals to intensify contacts in the cultural and humanitarian sphere, the statement said.
Vikram Kumar Doraiswami replaced Anumula Gitesh Sarma, who completed his diplomatic mission in Tashkent in July 2014. Anumula Gitesh Sarma has led the Indian diplomatic mission since September 2011. The new ambassador worked as secretary of the Indian Foreign Ministry till the day of his appointment.
India was one of the first countries to recognize the independence of Uzbekistan. The two countries signed more than 130 legal documents that cover virtually all areas of cooperation.
Currently, India is one of the largest partners of Uzbekistan in the fields of information technologies, light and textile industries, pharmaceuticals, and automobile parts.
The Uzbek-Indian trade grew by 29 percent - up to $259.5 million in 2013, according to the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade of the Republic. As of the first five months of 2014 the volume of bilateral trade grew by 8.4 percent and amounted to $114 million.
There are 72 enterprises operating in Uzbekistan that include Indian investments, some 10 of which with 100-percent Indian capital. The representative offices of 20 Indian companies and firms have been accredited in the country.